Adrian Forsythe
Adrian Forsythe
Adrian Forsythe is the Policy & Advocacy Assistant for the National Down Syndrome Congress. Ever since he could remember, Adrian knew he wanted to become an actor. Being part of one of the first cohorts of students with intellectual disabilities integrated into the general classroom in his school districts in Maryland and Argentina, he had big ambitions for his future. Eventually, Adrian saw his younger brother go to college and decided that he wanted to go to college too. He believed that he had the right to higher education just like everyone else. After applying, Adrian got into George Mason’s LIFE program. In this program, he developed skills to become an actor and self-advocate through coursework and his congressional internship with Representative Hoyer. At the end of the program, he received awards for Outstanding Achievement in Advocacy and for Outstanding Achievement in Employment and Career Development; he graduated with concentrations in Communications and Theater.
Adrian’s college experience strengthened his belief that everyone should be able to pursue their dreams after high school. The acting skills he gained at college were invaluable in preparing him to advocate for higher education and meaningful employment opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Since then, he has worked and served in various roles with different disability rights affiliates such as the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS), People on the Go, the Maryland Down Syndrome Advocacy Coalition (MDAC), and the National Down Syndrome Congress (NDSC). Adrian furthered his qualifications in disability advocacy by completing Partners in Policy Making through the Arc of Maryland. Throughout the years, Adrian has led numerous workshops to empower and inspire self-advocates to be self-determined and advocate to their communities and government for equal rights.
Now, Adrian works as a staff member and Visiting Lecturer at TerpsEXCEED, a two-year post-secondary program at the University of Maryland for students with intellectual disabilities. Additionally, he works as the Teen Hangout Leader and Project Assistant for the Community Network, a program within the Down Syndrome Network of Montgomery County (DSNMC) that he started for adults with Down syndrome who want to strengthen their self-advocacy skills and build community. Outside of his work roles, Adrian acts at ArtStream, serves on the Board of Directors at The Arc of Maryland, and is co-chair of the Adult Workgroup at the Maryland Down Syndrome Advocacy Coalition. Finally, Adrian is using the passion and skills that he gained over the years as an ambitious advocate.
