Every Stop. Every Story. Groundwork Ohio Roadshow Concludes with Powerful Family Voices in Franklin County
At the final stop of our statewide Roadshow, families of children with disabilities shared their experiences navigating health care, education, and essential supports.
On November 2, 2026, Groundwork Ohio's statewide Roadshow made its final stop at the Westerville Community Center in Franklin County, where we partnered with ElevateDD for an intimate listening session with families raising young children with disabilities.
After traveling across all 33 Ohio Senate districts, meeting with policymakers, visiting early learning programs, and listening to community leaders, we ended our journey in the most meaningful way possible: listening directly to parents.
The conversation was deeply personal. Families shared experiences involving difficult pregnancies, traumatic medical encounters, overwhelming health care bills, and the exhausting process of securing services for their children. They also shared stories of resilience, supportive communities, and the extraordinary love they have for their children.
We chose not to take photographs during this gathering. As parents shared painful and deeply personal experiences, we felt it was more important to be fully present, listen, and respect the trust they placed in us.
Families Shouldn't Have to Fight for Support
Throughout the conversation, parents described the challenges of navigating complicated systems to access services their children need.
Families shared experiences with county boards of developmental disabilities, Medicaid waivers, early intervention, therapy services, and special education. While many expressed gratitude for programs that have made a significant difference in their children's lives, they also described inconsistent information, lengthy waiting lists, and difficulty understanding what services are available.
One parent explained that families often must learn the right terminology simply to ask for the help their children need.
"There's a disconnect in information," the parent said.
Another described the emotional and financial toll of managing medical bills, insurance claims, and appointments while working and caring for a child with complex needs.
"I work so much I want my time off to be with my daughter."
These experiences reinforced a message we've heard throughout the Roadshow: Families need systems that are easier to navigate, more responsive to their needs, and designed to support them rather than create additional barriers.
Health Care Experiences Leave Lasting Impacts
Several parents shared painful experiences surrounding pregnancy, birth, and receiving a Down syndrome diagnosis.
Some described receiving frightening or discouraging information from medical professionals, while others recalled feeling pressured or unsupported during deeply personal medical decisions. Families emphasized the importance of compassionate, accurate communication and access to providers who understand their children's needs.
Parents also discussed the financial challenges of caring for children with complex medical conditions, including hospital bills, insurance limitations, and the cost of specialized therapies and equipment.
At the same time, families highlighted the life-changing impact of programs such as Ohio's Children with Medical Handicaps program, home care waivers, and early intervention services.
These supports can make it possible for parents to remain employed, children to receive necessary care, and families to participate more fully in their communities.
A Future Defined by Opportunity, Not Limitations
When asked what they wanted for their children's futures, parents shared hopes that were both simple and profound.
They want their children to attend school alongside siblings and neighborhood friends. They want access to therapies, opportunities to participate in community activities, and the ability to develop independence.
They want their children to be safe, have choices about where they live, find meaningful employment, and participate in decisions about their own lives.
And they want policymakers to understand the real-world consequences of decisions affecting Medicaid, special education, and disability services.
One parent offered a direct message to elected officials:
"Don't cut something you don't know anything about!"
Another reminded the group that:
"people with disabilities have rights too."
The Roadshow Ends, but Our Responsibility Continues
There was something especially meaningful about ending our statewide Roadshow with families who entrusted us with their most personal stories.
Throughout our journey across Ohio, we've heard about the challenges facing young children and families in urban, suburban, and rural communities. We've also witnessed remarkable dedication from parents, educators, health care professionals, and community partners working every day to help children thrive.
Our final conversation reminded us that behind every policy discussion, funding decision, and statistic is a child and a family whose lives are directly affected.
As Groundwork Ohio prepares to share the findings from our statewide Roadshow with Ohio's next governor and General Assembly, we carry these stories—and the trust of the families who shared them—with us.
The Roadshow may be complete, but the work of listening, learning, and advocating for Ohio's youngest children continues.
Learn More
Explore Groundwork Ohio’s county fact sheets to learn more about the data behind this Roadshow stop.
