NDSC Insider Archive

School is almost over, and we are so excited to see what the future holds for all students with Down syndrome! Read on for our LAST CHANCE at winning a golf getaway, scholarship opportunities, May Ages & Stages webinar, and our newest staff member!

Golf Getaway Raffle!

Dreaming of Your Next Getaway?

Here’s your chance to turn that dream into reality!

Only 250 tickets available — get yours before they’re gone!

Tickets: $100

This raffle benefits the National Down Syndrome Golf Classic!

One lucky winner will choose between:

• Kiawah Island Golf Resort, South Carolina, 4 players, 3 rounds of golf, and lodging. One of the three rounds will be at the world-famous Ocean Course.
• We-ko-pa Resort, Arizona, 4 players, 3 rounds of golf, and lodging

Don’t miss this exclusive opportunity to escape and unwind — grab your ticket now before they sell out!

Winner will be announced on May 5th at the National Down Syndrome Golf Classic

You don’t have to be present at the National Down Syndrome Golf Classic to win!

We are so excited to announce our 2026 NDSC Jake Pratt Scholarship Presented by UPS! Application open now!

The NDSC Jake Pratt Scholarship presented by UPS will provide financial assistance to help students overcome barriers to higher education and pursue their academic goals. Whether you're studying a specific field or simply exploring your interests, this scholarship can provide valuable support. This scholarship aims to support students with Down Syndrome who are currently enrolled or accepted in inclusive postsecondary education programs at colleges or universities.

Five $5,000 scholarships will be awarded, in addition to five $1,000 scholarships!

Submit your application between April 9, 2026 and May 15, 2026

For all information, click the button below.

Orlando, Florida | Hilton Signia

July 23 - 26, 2026

Now featuring the DSAIA Pre-Con

July 22 - 23, 2026

Registration is now open!

Volunteer at the 2026 NDSC Convention!

Looking to spend your summer doing something rewarding AND having fun? Volunteer for the 2026 NDSC Convention in Orlando, Florida!

Grab your friends, family, co-workers, classmates, or organization and help us to create unforgettable memories! Register now to become part of our wonderful team.

Exhibit Hall Registration

now open!

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, collect information, check out the samples, and make important connections.

For more ways to engage with the NDSC Convention, click the buttons below!

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 and other guest professional experts, covering a range of relevant topics.

Next sessions:

• May 21 at 1 PM EST
  • Terri Couwenhoven (friendships)
• June 24 at 1 PM EST
  • Dr. Dennis McGuire

Each session will emphasize shared conversation and peer support. The sessions are not recorded and are limited to 50 attendees. 

Tuesday May 19

1:00 - 2:30 PM EST

Foundations to Inclusion and Belonging: Executive Functioning with Ashley Barlow

True inclusion goes beyond placement—it requires students to both be supported and feel supported in their learning environments. This session explores how executive functioning skills like organization, planning, self-regulation, flexible thinking, and frustration tolerance impact a student’s ability to access and succeed in inclusive settings. Participants will gain practical strategies to support and advocate for these skills to be supported within general education environments, helping all students not just be present, but truly belong.

Self-Advocate Board Member Nominations are opening soon!

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
• 22 years old or older
• Attended three (3) previous NDSC Annual Convention Y&A Conferences

Nominations close: May 18, 2026

Questions? Email Youth & Adult Coordinator, Olivia Finn at ofinn@ndsccenter.org

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.

Save the date - Registration opens May 14th, 2026!

We cannot wait for you to #AdvocateWithUs!

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.

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.

More information coming soon!

To discuss sponsorship opportunities, please email Rachel Dekom at rachel@ndsccenter.org

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.

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.

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.