For three generations, the Heinzerling family has provided compassionate, specialized care for individuals with severe developmental disabilities. The story began in 1959, when Otto and Mildred Heinzerling mortgaged their family home to open a residential care facility for infants and young children with profound needs. With just 12 beds and the support of dedicated volunteers, the Heinzerlings built a legacy of care that continues today.
PICTURED: Robert Heinzerling, Executive Director of the Heinzerling Community
From its humble beginnings, the Heinzerling Community has grown into one of central Ohio’s most trusted intermediate care facilities providing full-time, comprehensive support to children and adults with developmental disabilities. Through its programs and committed staff, the organization strives to create a nurturing environment where residents can live fulfilling, independent lives.
“Each resident has their own unique needs,” said Executive Director Robert Heinzerling, Otto and Mildred’s grandson. “We have highly trained and skilled staff who determine what therapeutic interventions are needed. The residents, their families, and our staff—we’re one big family.”
Now, with support from The Columbus Foundation, the Heinzerling Community is bringing enrichment and connection to its residents in a new way: through silent disco technology.
Gathered in a circle, residents wear special wireless headphones that connect to a single receiver, allowing everyone to enjoy music together while accommodating individual hearing needs. Guided by trained staff, residents participate in activities that encourage movement, vocalization, and social interaction—such as shaking maracas in rhythm with the music.
The program is an innovative partnership between the Heinzerling Community, the Day By Day Project, and Ohio State University Extension. It started when Kaylie Glenn, President and Founder of the Day By Day Project, approached The Columbus Foundation with an idea. Glenn—who pioneered Memory Disco™, a music engagement program for people with dementia and memory loss—wanted to develop a music-based curriculum for people with developmental disabilities. The Day By Day Project was in search of a local partner to help pilot the program.
“They connect to it. It brings them joy. That's the nature of music. It gathers people together.”
— Robert Heinzerling, Executive Director of the Heinzerling Community
The Columbus Foundation connected Glenn to the Heinzerling Community, which enthusiastically joined as a partner. In 2025, The Columbus Foundation awarded a $100,000 grant to the Day By Day Project to support the pilot program.
With ongoing research support from Ohio State University Extension, the Heinzerling Community and the Day By Day Project continue to make improvements to the new program, called Happy Headphones™. This program includes step-by-step activity guides, trainings, and curated playlists designed with the developmental disability community in mind.
Both Glenn and Heinzerling say the results have been overwhelmingly positive. Residents show curiosity, engagement, and joy, while staff report improved well‑being.
“They connect to it. It brings them joy,” said Heinzerling. “That’s the nature of music. It gathers people together, and everybody experiences it in their own way.”
Inspired by the partnership with the Heinzerling Community, Glenn hopes to bring Happy Headphones to more organizations serving people with developmental disabilities.
“We’re using music and movements that are really healthy for the brain,” said Glenn. “The Heinzerling Community has one of the most engaged teams that you could work with. We developed something that can help so many more people.”