It's gonna be MAY! We are counting down the days to summer! Day dreamin' about beaches, baseball games, road trips, family vacations...
Our May newsletter is full of fun - A Spanish webinar TODAY, our 2025 scholarship opportunity, Convention quick facts, and more! |
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| Our National Down Syndrome Golf Classic in Atlanta, Georgia was a success!
Thank you to everyone who came out to support NDSC, and thank you to all of our sponsors that made this possible.
Don't live in Atlanta? Check out our National Down Syndrome Golf Classic Hometown Edition! |
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We are halfway through our National Down Syndrome Golf Classic Hometown Edition! 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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| SPANISH WEBINAR TODAY! Share with your Spanish speaking and bilingual friends and family! (This will only be available in Spanish) TODAY!
May 7, 2025 2 PM EST / 1 PM CST / 12 PM MST / 11 AM PST
Rutinas, hábitos y síndrome de Down. Nuestra ponente, Constanza Beltrán, SLPA, compartirá algunos consejos sobre por qué las rutinas pueden ayudar a su hijo/a. |
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| Why We Must Protect Medicaid Did you know many people with Down syndrome rely on Medicaid?
Medicaid is more than healthcare — it’s a lifeline. It helps with daily needs like feeding, bathing, and dressing. It provides job coaching, personal supports, and school services for students with disabilities. Cuts, caps, work requirements, excessive eligibility checks, and block granting Medicaid could take away critical supports that people with Down syndrome need to live, work, and thrive. We must protect Medicaid! Please use the links below to take action and reach out to your elected officials. |
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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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Applications are now open! The NDSC Jake Pratt Scholarship presented by UPS will provide individual grants to people with Down syndrome who are currently enrolled or accepted in an inclusive postsecondary education program that will enhance their life through employment, independent living, life skills, or interests in any other areas. APPLICATION CLOSES JUNE 20, 2025 |
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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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BECOME A REPORTER FOR A DAY! With our International Media Award Winner ION Revista Inclusiva
Attention all self-advocates! ION Revista Inclusiva is offering a one-of-a-kind opportunity to train to be a journalist with their incredible team for the 2025 Convention! If you are attending this year's convention, click the button below to review the guidelines and apply.
Application deadline: June 30, 2025 |
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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
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Literacy strategies to facilitate READING DEVELOPMENT
- Proven practices for INCLUSION
- Strategies for ACCESS for all
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Integrating ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE in learning
- Planning and designing CURRICULUM
- 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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NDAC Town Hall Sponsored by: Microsoft
You’re Invited: NDAC Town Hall at the NDSC Convention
National Down Syndrome Advocacy Coalition (NDAC) Members are invited to join us for the NDAC Town Hall at the NDSC Convention Friday, July 25, 7:00 – 8:30 PM.
This exclusive, NDAC members-only event offers a rare chance to connect face-to-face with fellow NDAC advocates in a small, focused setting. We’ll share updates, strategy, and inspiration to strengthen our advocacy efforts nationwide.
Not an NDAC member yet? It’s easy to join — online or at the door. All are welcome, and if needed, bring your children. Stay tuned for more details. We can’t wait to see you there! |
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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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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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United Coalition for Down Syndrome (UCDS) is comprised of national Down syndrome organizations GiGi’s Playhouse Down Syndrome Achievement Centers, LuMind IDSC, National Down Syndrome Congress, and the National Down Syndrome Society. Together, the UCDS has written and released multiple letters within the past few weeks. View them below. |
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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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Share with your health care professionals!
Many people with Down syndrome do not have access to a specialty clinic for people with Down syndrome. The DSMIG-USA Project ECHO is a monthly virtual meeting developed to support health care professionals who care for individuals with Down syndrome. This program provides an opportunity for health care professionals to seek input from expert professionals with significant experience in caring for people with Down syndrome.
Any health care professional of an individual with Down syndrome is invited to present a case and/or attend. There is no cost to participate, and attendees can earn continuing education credits for attending.
Additional information is also available on the DSMIG-USA website.
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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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