NDSC Insider Archive

Happy New Year! Everyone at NDSC would like to extend a very warm "thank you" to everyone who supported us in 2024. We are incredibly excited for what 2025 has in store - First up, a brand new newsletter name.

Together, we can be better to do better.

14(c) Toolkit for Advocates

In Partnership with National Down Syndrome Society

NDSC and NDSS have created this toolkit for advocates on 14(c).

On December 4th, 2024, the Department of Labor issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that would phase out the practice of paying people with disabilities below minimum wage (“subminimum wage”) under Section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act. Specifically, the rule would stop employers from being able to apply for new 14(c) certificates and would help businesses that currently use 14(c) certificates have a one-time three-year extension to transition from sheltered workshops to competitive integrated employment.

The public has until January 17, 2025 to submit comments to the Department to let them know whether or not they support the proposed rule and have any suggestions for its implementation.

This is a NDAC members only event.

Become a NDAC member today!

NDAC Member Quarterly Update Call 

Wednesday, January 29, 2025
2:00 - 3:00 PM ET/ 1:00 - 2:00 PM CT/ 12:00 - 1:00 PM MT/ 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM PT

Agenda*:

• Policy Updates from the NDSC Policy Team
  
  • The Year Ahead 
  • Strengthening Advocacy Relationships with Elected Officials
• Next Education Policy Deep Dive

This is our first NDAC Quarterly Call for 2025! 

*This is a tentative agenda. Depending on what is happening with the new 119th Congress, we may pivot or add speakers. Watch for updates! 

Do you want to be a part of impacting lasting change for people with Down syndrome? Then, NDAC is for you!

Find more information and an easy online application by clicking the button.

Can’t make the livestream? Anyone who registers will be emailed the recording the next day!

Join us! The first Ages & Stages of 2025!

Tuesday, January 14

1:00 PM - 2:30 PM EST

Sleep Apnea Surgery in Children with Down Syndrome - Beyond the Tonsils and the Adenoids

This session will discuss the state of the art in the surgical treatment of obstructive sleep apnea. We will discuss causes of sleep apnea in patients with Down Syndrome as well as means to address them, including tongue base procedures such as hypoglossal nerve stimulation (INSPIRE device) as well as soft palate procedures. We will discuss which patients are good candidates for these procedures, and how they have changed the way we treat sleep apnea.

Dr Scheffler is a pediatric otolaryngologist at the Cohen Children’s Hospital in New York. He performs the full breadth of surgical procedures of obstructive sleep apnea, has specific expertise in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea in pediatric patients with Trisomy 21, and is a nationally recognized expert in pediatric hypoglossal nerve stimulator implantation.

Upcoming Spanish Webinar

Share with your Spanish speaking and bilingual friends and family!

January 15, 2025

12:00 PM EST

Desarrollar e implementar un Plan de Educación Individual (IEP) es responsabilidad igual de los educadores,padres y otros miembros del equipo del IEP. Este taller explica el proceso del IEP y la importancia de participación de los padres. Aprenda consejos útiles para redactar metas y estrategias efectivas del IEP.

Attend our Educators Conference in a city near you!

The NDSC Educators Conferences engage participants in identifying and implementing strategies applicable to K-12 classrooms. The Educators Conferences are practical in nature and specially created and focused on providing tools for educators. Our Educators Conferences offer hands-on, research-based strategies that general education and special education teachers can implement immediately to best support their students with Down syndrome and intellectual disability.

Attendees will leave equipped with ideas, tips, strategies, tools, and solutions that they can implement in the classroom.

• $100 registration
• 0.6 CEUs for $30

Questions? Email kim@ndsccenter.org for assistance.

National Down Syndrome Congress and the 2025 Golf Classic Committee will host the 2025 National Down Syndrome Golf Classic for anyone who wishes to participate!

Anyone can join the fun and support NDSC from April 25 to May 6, when they play from their favorite hometown course. We will host the annual event in Atlanta, GA, on May 6, at Windermere Golf Course in Cumming, GA.

Proceeds from the tournament will support outreach and raise awareness about education and employment opportunities for people with Down syndrome. Funds will also support NDSC's efforts to provide free, up-to-date, and accurate resources for families and professionals serving those with Down syndrome.

Player registration opens February 10th!

Thank you to everyone who participated in our 10 Years of ABLE Celebration Week!

We had close to 200 people register for our webinar “Tools in the Financial Toolbox: ABLE Accounts and Special Needs Trusts" with Barb Helm!

This webinar reviewed ABLE Accounts and SNTs and encouraged webinar participants to think of them as tools in the financial toolbox. Each tool has a specific purpose and achieves a specific outcome. We explored how they can be used independently and how using them together can enhance spending flexibility and beneficiary empowerment.

To view this webinar, click the button below!

Our ABLE Trivia Game & Dance Party was a HUGE success! We hope that everyone who attended had a great time! Congratulations to all of our ABLE account cash prize winners!

WINNERS:

1st place: Emily Braun

2nd place: Brandon Cordoba

3rd place: Lola Kernal

Random drawing: Francesca Guariglia

Our favorite dance songs:

Shake It Off

Bye Bye Bye

Don’t Go Breaking My Heart

September

Dance The Night

Uptown Funk

2025 NDSC Convention

Celebrating All

Hilton Anatole

Dallas, Texas

July 24 - 27

Mark your calendars!

Registration opens March 11, 2025

12:00 PM EST

In response to the recent uptick in the use of the “R word” in public dialogue, The National Down Syndrome Congress (NDSC) issues the following statement:

“NDSC condemns the use of the “R-word” in all contexts, regardless of intention and without exception. It is disrespectful and dehumanizing to all people with intellectual disabilities.”

The National Down Syndrome Congress provides easy and accessible ways to engage your elected officials. When new and important legislation is introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives or the U.S. Senate or more support is needed for existing bills, we will notify you and request that you contact your Members of Congress. One simple way you can advocate is to register for NDSC’s Action Alerts. Action Alerts are template emails with information about the legislation and talking points that you can forward directly to your Members of Congress.

Sign up for Action Alerts today and take action to raise the voices of those in our community.

New Action Alerts Coming Soon!

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