Down Syndrome Connection

Advocacy and Community 

 

Our Elected Officials 

Training for Healthcare, Service Providers:

 

DSC Heathcare Partnerships, Service Providers Training(s)

 

Maryland and National Advocacy News:

Call or Email Your Members of Congress Today! Take Action!
Ask Them to Cosponsor the Achieving a Better Life Experience Act (ABLE) of 2009 (S 493/HR 1205).  The Achieving a Better Life Experience Act (ABLE) of 2009 (S 493/HR 1205) was introduced in both the Senate and House.  The ABLE Act will give individuals with Down syndrome and their families the ability to save for their child's future just like every other American family, and help people with disabilities live full, productive lives in their communities. 

Department of Labor:  New Disability Employment Resource for Employers!
A comprehensive, portable, and easy to understand guide for employers who are looking to recruit, hire, and retain employees with disabilities, ODEP just released its new Four-Step Reference Guide. The online version of this valuable resource, which covers topics such as Incentives & ROI, Recruiting, Interviewing & Hiring, and much more, also provides a wealth of links and other resources. The print version of Diversifying Your Workforce, A Four-Step Reference Guide to Recruiting, Hiring & Retaining Employees with Disabilities will be available later this year. In the meantime, the PDF and Word versions are available here.

Down syndrome Affiliates in Action (DSAIA) Conferees Descend on Washington, DC!

New IDEA Regulations for 2009

Kennedy-Brownback Bill

URGENT: Please contact Governor O'Malley about the $470 million in budget cuts adopted on August 26, 2009.   Governor O'Malley's budget cuts may result in shortsighted savings that will have a long-term devastating impact economically on the lives of people with developmental disabilities.  These budget cuts include slashing 2% of the reimbursement rates of community service providers, a 10% cut to family support stipends and grants and a 15% cut to service coordination.

HB-20 Rosa's Law:  Replacing the term MR with Intellectual Disability in Maryland Law and COMAR:  THe Bill  has passed Committee!  Awaiting the Governors signature!

End The Wait Now Campaign! The End The Wait Now! Campaign will continue to advocate for no cuts to DDA funding and will continue to educate and advocate for additional funding to address the needs of people on the DDA Waiting List.  More Infromation here. *Footage from the nationally televised Geraldo Rivera Special on the Waiting List available here! 

Prince George's County Schools are People 1st!
On December 1st, Prince George's County Public Schools (PGCPS) adopted a People First Language policy. The PGCPS Board of Education voted to adopt the resolution put forward by BOE member Donna Hathaway Beck that requires PGCPS personnel to use People First Language (PFL) in all written and spoken communication. If you are not familiar with PFL, please click here.
Coastal Carolina University Launches Inclusive Postsecondary Opportunities for Students with Intellectual Disabilities.  Press Release.

Advocacy Partnerships: 

 

The Advocacy Committee is affiliated with many Partners within the disabilitiy community.  Some of our partners include:

Arc of the Central Chesapeake Region 

Mid Atlantic Down Syndrome Regional Council 

Maryland Down syndrome Advocacy Coalition

Anne Arundel County Education Access Alliance

Maryland Coalition for Inclusive Education 

Anne Arundel County Public Schools

Friends of ECI

Anne Arundel County Chapter of the Austim Society of America 

Parent's Place of Maryland 

Down syndrome Network of Montgomery County 

Chesapeake Down syndrome Parent Group

F.R.I.E.N.D.S of Frederick County

Parent to Parent of Prince Georges County

National Down Syndrome Society

National Down Syndrome Congress

 

For Your Information:

Education and IDEA 

Down Syndrome Foundation of Orange County- The Learning Center 

www.inclusiveschools.org:  Current Newsletter available!  Great information regarding technology and access.

 Wonderful PSA for wide distribution: The "R" Word.  PSA Courtesy of Blueberry Shoes Productions LLC, The Arc of Northern Virginia and The Arc of Virginia.

People with Disabilites are "People First"!   Visit Kathie Snow's website www.disabilityisnatural.com to learn a new way of thinking that is about respect and dignity-not political correctness. 

Public Awareness Language Guidelines:  NDSC.  This information will answer many questions relating to the most appropriate way of referencing or speaking about Down syndrome.