The Pioneer Center gears up for 2026 Developmental Disability Awareness Month
(Submitted graphic)
March marks Developmental Disability (DD) Awareness Month, and The Pioneer Center / Ross County Board of Developmental Disabilities (RCBDD) is rolling out a full calendar of community events to celebrate inclusion, achievement, and awareness.
The month will kick off with an art showcase at the Pump House Center for the Arts, highlighting works by local artists with developmental disabilities. The exhibit opens Thursday, March 5, with a reception from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Artwork will be on display and available for purchase throughout the month.
On Friday, March 6, from 10-11 a.m., RCBDD will host its annual DD Awareness Walk. Paint Street in Chillicothe will be partially closed from Water Street to Main Street as the community gathers to honor individuals with developmental disabilities. Ross County Commissioner Jack Everson and Chillicothe Mayor Luke Feeney will present official DD Month proclamations. Attendees will also hear from RCBDD Superintendent Amy Beeler, Special Olympics Ohio Male Athlete of the Year Noah Hiles, and RCBDD Board of Directors members Dan Riddle and Hunter Robinson.
Later that evening, the celebration continues with the Party at the Eagles, part of RCBDD’s official DD kick-off events. The party will take place from 6-9 p.m. at the Fraternal Order of Eagles 600, located at 378 S. Douglas Ave., Chillicothe 45601. The event is open to the public and will feature local emcee DJ Steve.
For families with young children, RCBDD Early Intervention (EI) / Help Me Grow will host a free Community Playdate at the Mighty Children’s Museum on Friday, March 13, from 10 a.m.-noon. This event is open to the public and designed for children ages 5 and under.
Additional events throughout the month include The Pioneer Center’s annual Awards Banquet and the Ross County Special Olympics Celebrity Game. This year’s Celebrity Game will feature many new players and will be hosted by returning favorites Dan Riddle and Todd Holdren. The event provides an opportunity for community members to donate to Special Olympics Ohio through their favorite celebrity players, with the top fundraiser earning the title of 2026 Fundraising Champion.
“Developmental Disability Awareness Month is one of the busiest and most rewarding times of the year for our board,” said Amy Beeler, Superintendent of The Pioneer Center / RCBDD. “We love creating programming for the entire community that highlights the strengths, talents, and achievements of the individuals we serve.”
This year’s theme, “Let’s Color Our World with Inclusion,” was submitted by Pioneer School student Campbell Bowen.
“It’s incredible to see our community rally around the people we serve during DD Month,” Beeler added. “Whether it’s attending the Celebrity Game, participating in the Awareness Walk, or supporting our events, these moments bring us together and show just how powerful inclusion truly is.”
The Pioneer Center, otherwise known as Ross County Board of DD (RCBDD), exists for the purpose of improving the quality of life for citizens who have a developmental disability. RCBDD is committed to providing quality services that give individuals and their families choices that enhance community participation and achieve a life of increasing capabilities.