Happy New Year! NDSC is so honored to ring in the new year with all of you who have supported us throughout 2025. |
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We are taking our Educators Conference to the World Wide Web! Virtual Educators Conference
Saturday, February 7, 2026 10:00 AM EST - 3:30 PM EST Open worldwide* *Presented in English. Translation available in multiple languages through Zoom closed captioning. |
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| Gifts & Challenges Exchange - caregiver conversations and support for those supporting adults with Down syndrome age 30+ Family engagement sessions for parents and caregivers of adults with Down syndrome 30 and older. These are facilitated group discussions led by Dr. Dennis McGuire, covering a range of relevant topics. Each session will emphasize shared conversation and peer support. We are working on a schedule, so look for an email soon. Make sure you are on the mailing list! |
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| Ages & Stages
The Skin is In: Skin Conditions in Children and Adults with Down Syndrome Thurs. Feb. 19, 2026
1:00 PM EST
In this session, you will learn about skin conditions seen in people with Down syndrome. The skin is our biggest organ and certainly the most visible, so there will be a lot to discuss! We will review common conditions such as dry skin and lips, folliculitis, hidradenitis suppurativa, psoriasis, alopecia areata, and infections such as athlete's foot and toenail fungus. This interactive session will be visual with lots of photographs. We will focus on practical tips on how to take care of these conditions and talk about them with your doctor. We will discuss how the immune system interacts with the skin and how this could explain why certain skin conditions are more common. Lastly, we will provide updates on recent skin research studies and discuss future research topics.
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Orlando, Florida | Hilton Signia
July 23 - 26, 2026 Now featuring the DSAIA Pre-Con July 22 - 23, 2026 Registration opens: March 10, 2026 |
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NEW YEAR NEW CONVENTION SITE
Check out our NEW Convention website! Head to ndsccenter.org/convention to explore the new site. We will be adding more Convention information here in the coming weeks, leading up to registration. |
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| NDSC Award Nominations Open January 16!
Is there someone who has contributed significantly to the Down syndrome community that deserves recognition? Nominate them for an NDSC Award at the Annual Convention! Click the button below to view descriptions of the awards presented. |
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| Exhibit Hall Registration Opens January 19!
Our exhibit hall is where your products and resources will get noticed! The Exhibit Hall showcases a variety of different products, organizations, and services that our community has to offer. Convention attendees will be able to browse all the different booths, collecting information, samples, and making important connections. |
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Edades y etapas
Es un acto de equilibrio: Recuperarse a sí mismo a través del autocuidado y el bienestar
Recuperar el control de su vida requiere encontrar su propio camino hacia el bienestar y comprometerse a priorizarse a sí mismo. Esto es difícil para todos los padres y cuidadores, especialmente para los padres de niños con discapacidades. La vida puede ser impredecible, y lidiar con el estrés y el agotamiento puede resultar abrumador. Mantener el equilibrio y la paz interior, en lugar de sentirse desbordado, es un verdadero desafío. Este taller interactivo está diseñado para ayudar a los padres de niños con discapacidades a ver el autocuidado desde una nueva perspectiva. Ofrece estrategias prácticas que te ayudarán a superar los obstáculos que te impiden equilibrar su vida y recuperar su bienestar a través del autocuidado. Al participar en este taller, aprenderá a priorizar el autocuidado y a integrarlo en su rutina diaria. Con las herramientas y técnicas adecuadas, podrá alcanzar un mayor equilibrio, paz y bienestar, lo que tendrá un impacto positivo no solo en usted, sino también en su familia.
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We’re excited to announce the launch of the NDSC State & Local Policy Advocacy Toolkit! This comprehensive resource is designed to empower self-advocates, families, and allies with the tools, confidence, and knowledge needed to create meaningful change in their communities and states. Advocacy is about using your voice and personal story to influence policies that impact the lives of individuals with Down syndrome and other disabilities. Whether you’re new to advocacy or a seasoned advocate, this toolkit provides practical guidance on: -
Finding and connecting with your elected officials
- Sharing your personal story effectively
- Building relationships with policymakers
- Organizing advocacy efforts in your community
- Making advocacy accessible and inclusive
The toolkit also includes templates, resources, and tips for creating one-pagers, elevator speeches, social media posts, and public comments. This toolkit is a great tool for anyone wanting to engage in policy advocacy. |
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The National Down Syndrome Congress Down Syndrome Policy Summit and Hill Day!
NDSC is proud to announce that on September 29 - 30, 2026, we will be hosting the Down Syndrome Policy Summit at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C.! This event will feature one full day of advocacy training, where advocates will take crash courses on policy and speaking with elected officials and their staff. The next day is a Hill Day. Advocates will take to Capitol Hill, where they will meet with their elected officials and staffers to advocate for policy that directly affects people with Down syndrome.
Mark your calendars! Registration opens this May 2026.
We cannot wait for you to #AdvocateWithUs!
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The driving force behind our hard work and dedication is our passion for all the children and adults with Down syndrome across the country that we serve. Our belief that we are making a difference in numerous lives keeps us energized and motivated to continue our efforts. |
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| NDAC Member Exclusive! NDAC Quarterly Call
Wed. January 28 2 PM EST
This call is exclusive to NDAC Members. Become an NDAC Member today to join this call - it's FREE! |
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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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GUIDEing Families Through Dementia Care
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has launched GUIDE — Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience, a new program that helps people living with dementia and their families get the care and support they need.
GUIDE offers: - Personalized care plans
- Help coordinating care and community supports
- Respite services for caregivers
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Education and guidance for families
The National Task Group on Intellectual Disabilities & Dementia Practices (NTG), with support from Special Olympics, is working to ensure that adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD)—including those with Down syndrome and dementia—are fully included in GUIDE programs. The NTG Changing Thinking! project provides training and resources to help GUIDE sites better serve individuals with IDD and their families.
To learn more about GUIDE services, find a GUIDE location, and see how the NTG is
supporting individuals with IDD and dementia and their families, visit the following online resources. For families already enrolled in GUIDE, the NTG wants to hear about your experiences
with this new program. NTG Family Survey/Guide link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/JBQXVM8 |
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The driving force behind our hard work and dedication is our passion for all the children and adults with Down syndrome across the country that we serve. Our belief that we are making a difference in numerous lives keeps us energized and motivated to continue our efforts. |
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As you thoughtfully consider giving to our annual campaign, please know that your generosity is tied to who we serve, and they are why we do what we do.
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