April 2, 2025
NDSC Insider | April 2025
Spring has sprung! It's the perfect time to get outside and enjoy some sunshine.... maybe while participating in the NDSGolf Classic? Grab your friends and family and Tee Up For Down Syndrome!
Read on for 2025 Convention updates, Spanish webinar details, NDSC's recent media features, and more! |
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Tee Up in Your Hometown for Down Syndrome! OUR GOAL: 100 foursomes!
Let's see which state can get the most hometown players!
If you like golf, care about someone with Down syndrome, and want to support National Down Syndrome Congress, this unique golf outing is for you!
This exciting format complements our successful Atlanta outing by allowing you to play a round of golf at your favorite course anywhere in the country while supporting individuals with Down syndrome.
How it Works: - Play on Your Schedule: Gather friends and family for a round of golf anytime between April 25 and May 31, 2025.
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Register & Get Rewarded: Sign up as an individual or a foursome.
- Support NDSC: Donate to NDSC in whatever amount works for your budget. You could donate an amount equal to the greens fees or something symbolic like $321 to support NDSC's year-round mission directly.
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Hometown Golfers Receive a Special Gift: Every Hometown golfer who registers and donates at least $100 will receive an exclusive NDSGolf Classic hat! Wear it during your round, and share your photos on social media to show your support.
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Celebrate your Hero with a Hero sign!
This is what the NDSGolf Classic is all about! Let us highlight your hero when you purchase a 2025 Hero sign! We will proudly place a sign honoring them on the Windermere Golf Club course for all players, sponsors, and volunteers to see. Then, we will spotlight them again at the 2025 NDSC Convention on our Hero Wall. Once your order is received, you will be contacted and asked to provide a photo to be used on your hero's sign.
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Registration is now open! |
*Note: Link to discounted hotel rates and hotel room blocks will be in your registration confirmation email. |
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Educators Conference Sponsored by: Data Center Systems Our Educators Conference offers practical, research-based strategies that general and special education teachers can immediately implement to support students with intellectual disabilities and Down syndrome -
Addressing BEHAVIOR through proven strategies
- Literacy strategies to facilitate READING DEVELOPMENT
- Proven practices for INCLUSION
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Strategies for ACCESS for all
- Integrating ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE in learning
- Planning and designing CURRICULUM
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MEDICAL IMPLICATIONS for the classroom
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| $150 Registration
Registration includes: - Breakfast & Lunch
- Certificate of attendance
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0.6 CEUs (+$30)
For more information, go to ndsccenter.org Questions? Email Kim Owens at kim@ndsccenter.org |
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| Exhibit your college program at the College Fair!
Sponsored by: ThinkCollege
With approximately 3500 in attendance, including approximately 350+ self-advocates attending the Youth & Adult Conference, the NDSC College Fair event perfectly showcases inclusive postsecondary programs for individuals with intellectual disability.
College Fair Exhibitors must be part of an accredited community college, college, or university. The $75 College Fair Exhibitor Fee includes (1) 6-foot draped table, (2) chairs, and up to (4) people to assist with overseeing the booth. |
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Advocacy Training Boot Camp (ATBC) Sponsored by: Microsoft
Whether you are a beginner to advocacy or are an experienced advocate, ATBC is a great opportunity to get the training needed to take your advocacy efforts to the next level. ATBC features information from self-advocates who are making a difference through their personal advocacy efforts, parent advocates, elected officials, and disability policy experts including the NDSC Policy & Advocacy Team. ATBC is designed to empower you with the skills needed to impact policy change.
ATBC is available to all General Conference attendees. Email info@ndsccenter.org if you would like to add it to your registration. Registration is preferred but not required. |
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We are so humbled to have received so many incredible nominations for our 2025 Celebrating All Awards! Everyone at National Down Syndrome Congress values the hard work and dedication that all of the nominees have exemplified. The Down syndrome community is beyond grateful to each and every one of you. Please know that your dedication, hard work, and contributions have truly made a difference. We are fortunate to have individuals like you all in our community, and we look forward to seeing the continued impact you make.
Congratulations to all of our winners! |
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| National Affiliate Group Award
Rio Grande Valley Down Syndrome Association |
| Media Award Jillian Benfield |
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International Media Award ION Revista Inclusiva |
| Employer of the Year Award Howdy Homemade Ice Cream |
| Laura Lee Advocacy Award Liz Zogby
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Impact on the Down Syndrome Community: Sig Pueschel NDSC Service Award
Nancy Litteken |
| Pueschel/Tjossem Research Award Anna Esbensen |
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Christian Pueschel Memorial Citizen Self-Advocate Award Jessie Smart |
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2025 application opens soon! Keep an eye on our website and social media for all updates. |
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Are you or a family member interested in participating in a medical research study? Check out the multiple opportunities to participate and improve the care and services to individuals with Down syndrome. The NDSC Medical and Scientific Review Committee reviews medical information and research announcements that have been presented to the National Down Syndrome Congress (NDSC) to ensure that they are scientifically sound. |
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National Down Syndrome Congress’s Board Member nomination for 2025 is now open! Know someone that would be a great Board Member? Nominate them!
The role of the NDSC Board of Directors is crucial for the success and sustainability of the organization. NDSC seeks a broad representation of individuals who are passionate about our mission through its board membership. Board members offer foresight, oversight, and insight instead of handling daily operations. Board members are fiduciaries who steer the organization toward a sustainable future by adopting sound, ethical, and legal governance and financial management policies.
Nomination deadline: May 12, 2025 |
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Self-Advocate Board Member Nominations are open! Three self-advocates serve on the National Down Syndrome Congress Board of Directors. Each year, one self-advocate is elected by their peers at the convention’s Youth and Adult (Y&A) Conference for a three-year term.
Eligibility for this position: - Has Down syndrome
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22 years old or older
- Attended three (3) previous NDSC Annual Convention Y&A Conferences
Nomination deadline: May 14, 2025 |
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What is Medicaid? How will my loved one with Down syndrome be affected by caps and cuts? Did you know that most people with Down syndrome are on Medicaid?
Medicaid is a federal-state partnership that supports people with disabilities throughout their lifetimes. It often has different names in different states. Medicaid helps people with disabilities to get the care they need to protect their health and well-being and to live with dignity. It is more than just a nationwide health care program; it also covers things such as help with personal tasks like feeding, bathing, and dressing. Medicaid provides supports to adults with disabilities such as job coaching and personal supports that people with disabilities need to work. It provides funding for services in schools for students with disabilities.
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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. | |
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| SPANISH WEBINAR Share with your Spanish speaking and bilingual friends and family! (This will only be available in Spanish)
April 30, 2025 1 PM EST / 12 PM CST / 11 AM MST / 10 AM PST
For many in the DS community, research is an important subject, but not everyone wants to participate in research. In this webinar, we will explore what is research, and why research is important to improving healthcare for people with DS and to the development of new treatments for health conditions related to DS. We will also learn how you can participate in research to make a difference.
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Para muchos en la comunidad con síndrome de Down, la investigación es un tema importante, pero no todos desean participar. En este seminario web, exploraremos qué es la investigación y por qué es importante para mejorar la atención médica de las personas con síndrome de Down y para el desarrollo de nuevos tratamientos para las afecciones relacionadas con el síndrome. También aprenderemos cómo puede participar en la investigación para marcar la diferencia. |
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Check out NDSC's Policy and Advocacy team's recent media features! - Policy & Advocacy Co-Directors Stephanie Smith Lee and Heather Sachs discuss policy and advocacy with Extra Lucky Moms (Season 2, Ep. 3. Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more.)
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Stephanie Smith Lee speaks with Disability Scoop about moving Special Education Programs to Health and Human Services
- Stephanie Smith Lee sits down with NPR and WBUR Here & Now, hosted by Deepa Fernandes, to talk about the future of the Department of Education (Produced by Ashley Locke)
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Heather Sachs speaks with Chief Healthcare Executive's Ron Southwick about the implications of cuts to Medicaid for individuals with Down syndrome
- Stephanie Smith Lee is quoted in Politico talking about moving special education to HHS
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| 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. |
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Support the NDSC! We strive to make a difference through the generosity of others.
Your donation in any amount makes a world of difference.
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