#downsyndrome
Self-advocates with Down syndrome and intellectual disabilities will speak up about Easy-to-Understand Communication.
Mar 20, 2023 at 1 PM to Mar 21, 2023 at 2:45 PM CET
On World Down Syndrome Day 2023, the Down Syndrome International network will host the 12th World Down Syndrome Day Conference (WDSDC) at the United Nations headquarters in New York.
Central Mass Down Syndrome Group, get your group together with the Worcester Railers! Tickets start at ONLY $16! When you purchase you will receive a unique link to share with friends. Use code "celebrate321" and the Railers Foundation will match your ticket purchase!
Individuals with Down syndrome of all ages, families and friends are invited to join us for our second annual Ice Skating at MarketStreet Lynnfield Event!
Disability attorney says Walmart’s firing of Down syndrome woman is part of a pattern
This workshop is for family members of an adult with Down syndrome. The workshop will explore housing options, making decisions about housing and how the NDIS can be used to help people with Down syndrome to more independent housing. This is a basic introduction to your housing journey.
Workshop objectives, by the end of this workshop you will have:
- Awareness on how you can support the person with Down syndrome to be involved and make decisions regarding housing
- Greater understanding of the housing options for people with Down syndrome
- Increased knowledge of the funding available through the NDIS to support independent housing options.
This workshop will be hosted by Jo Middleton and Debby Fraumano.
Jo lives in regional Victoria and has 3 adult children, one of whom has Down syndrome. Jo’s son has recently moved out of home into a share house with other young people. Jo is passionate about people with Down syndrome building independence and having a good life. She is excited to share her experiences with other family members on their housing journey.
Debby is a social worker with a long history in the disability sector. She started out in direct services, and then worked with the Association for Children with a Disability for a few years after her second child was born with a disability. Following that with a stint in case management she then returned to the Association for Children with a Disability as the Coordinator of ACD Educate with a focus on assisting parents in preparing for the NDIS. Debby firmly believes in never being afraid to try new things and make some mistakes on the way. It’s all part of life and learning.
This is a chance for parents and carers of teens and adults with Down Syndrome to connect with peers across Victoria. It's a great opportunity to meet others from across the state, and to connect with our Adult Support Manager, Debby Fraumano.
The conversation is informal, so bring your cuppa and any topics or questions you might want to discuss.
Hosted by: Debby Fraumano
Debby is a social worker with a long history in the disability sector. She started out in direct services, and then worked with the Association for Children with a Disability for a few years after her second child was born with a disability. Following that with a stint in case management she then returned to the Association for Children with a Disability as the Coordinator of ACD Educate with a focus on assisting parents in preparing for the NDIS. Debby firmly believes in never being afraid to try new things and make some mistakes on the way. It’s all part of life and learning.
This event will be hosted by Surrey and Borders NHS Foundation Trust Primary Care Liaison Nurses and colleagues.
We will be discussing the relationship between Down Syndrome, Learning Disabilities and early on set Dementia: Assessing, Recording and Monitoring. This event is for people with learning disabilities, families, carers and support workers across Surrey and North East Hants and Farnham.
Open to school staff and parents / carers
This session is for both practitioners and parents and will focus on different strategies to support a child with Downs Syndrome who may be having some difficulties with behaviour. We will cover a range of ideas and practical strategies to support in and out of the home environment. There will be an opportunity to ask questions and share your experiences should you wish to. This course is a repeat session first held March 2021
Salford Learning Support Service are running a series of webinars designed for individuals looking to develop their knowledge on a range of topics within the area of Special Educational Needs and Disability.
Attendance at these webinars is open to all, and these are free of charge to Salford schools and professionals. However, if you are attending from a school or setting from a different local authority there will be charge of £40. This will be invoiced by Salford City Council after the event.
If you are unable to attend a session for any reason, we ask that you notify us as soon as possible, but at least 5 working days before. There will be a charge of £40 if you book on the session and fail to attend.
A guide to supporting pupils with Downs Syndrome in relation to developing their literacy skills. This session will focus on how to support the unique learning profile of a pupil with Downs Syndrome. The aim is to equip you with lesson ideas, strategies and inform you of useful resources. Please note that this training is suitable for teachers and teaching assistants as the content is curriculum focused and composed with a classroom environment in mind. This course is a repeat session first held March 2021
Salford Learning Support Service are running a series of webinars designed for individuals looking to develop their knowledge on a range of topics within the area of Special Educational Needs and Disability.
Attendance at these webinars is open to all, and these are free of charge to Salford schools and professionals. However, if you are attending from a school or setting from a different local authority there will be charge of £40. This will be invoiced by Salford City Council after the event.
If you are unable to attend a session for any reason, we ask that you notify us as soon as possible, but at least 5 working days before. There will be a charge of £40 if you book on the session and fail to attend.
The Course
Dr Paula Kluth and Illume Learning are so pleased to provide this online short course in supporting students with Down syndrome in inclusive schools.
In this this course you will:
- Learn three powerful planning tools you can use to positively support your students with Down syndrome
- Be introduced to responses you can share when a student’s placement in an inclusive classroom is being challenged
- Gain strategies for engaging your students (e.g., communication supports, curricular adaptations)
Your registration includes:
- 6 hours of live and on demand online professional development sessions available to view throughout the month of May
- Certificate of Attendance
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This session will provide the opportunity to learn more about Down syndrome, DSV and other relevant services and supports.
Expected learning outcomes:
- Learn about Down syndrome and what to expect as a parent/carer
- Learn about NDIS/ECEI
- How can DSV support you
- Learn about support and services that are relevant to the care of your child
- Develop peer connections and meet other new parents
Hosted by: Sonia Bonadio
Sonia is a social worker and a parent of a child with Down syndrome. She has worked with services in the disability sector, mental health and community based prenatal services. In 2016 Sonia worked as a MyTime Facilitator for DSV and thoroughly enjoyed her time facilitating the group, providing her with a great opportunity to gain understanding and knowledge in many areas relating to families who have or who are caring for children who have Down syndrome.
If you are attending from a school or setting from a different local authority there will be charge of £40. Free for Salford schools.
This session is for both practitioners and parents and will focus on different strategies to support a child with Downs Syndrome who may be having some difficulties with behaviour. There will be an opportunity within this session to share experiences, good practice to ask questions therefore applicant participation is required. As this will be delivered virtually you will need access to a microphone.
Salford Learning Support Service are running a series of webinars designed for individuals looking to develop their knowledge on a range of topics within the area of Special Educational Needs and Disability.
Attendance at these webinars is open to all, and these are free of charge to Salford schools and professionals. However, if you are attending from a school or setting from a different local authority there will be charge of £40. This will be invoiced by Salford City Council after the event.
If you are unable to attend a session for any reason, we ask that you notify us as soon as possible, but at least 5 working days before. There will be a charge of £40 if you book on the session and fail to attend.
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Join us for an online meetup for adults who have siblings with a disability.
About this Event
Are you the adult sibling of a person with a disability?
Please join our virtual sibling meetups for facilitated conversations to share our experiences, learn from each other and gain new perspectives about our sibling journey.
Especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, people with disabilities have been disproportionately struggling with isolation, poor physical and mental health. For many, the assistance they need for daily living is changed, reduced or gone entirely.
Many adult siblings of people with disabilities have found their sibling relationship, including any responsibilities, has changed. As a result, our worries and emotions have also changed. We may be experiencing more anxiousness and guilt when we can’t visit with our sibling in the same way we once did, we may have new worries about future planning and we may have considerable stress from increased caregiving responsibilities.
Virtual meetups provide social, emotional and practical peer support for siblings.
These meetups are small with up to 8 participants per meet up and they are free. We welcome all adults who identify as having a sibling with a disability.
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Speaking Up for Downs
About this Event
Join us for our first ever guest speaker panel: Speaking Up for Downs. We're proud to be hosting three panelists who are inspiring to the Down syndrome community. Help us raise money for Down syndrome awareness with a night of inspiring stories, raffles and so much more.
DATE: Saturday, Nov. 14th at 7:00 pm
Panelist announcements COMING SOON!
UNWLA branch 137 will host one of the most creative designers in Ukraine, her shows are always bright and enchanting, collections are keenly fashionable, necessarily Ukrainian and absolutely unpredictable. Oksana Karavanska is one of the top three Ukrainian designers and is a well-known for her charity work. Visitors will have an opportunity to purchase and order couture clothes by designer. Additionally, there will be opportunities to win prizes.
Proceeds will benefit one of the projects of Ukrainian National Women’s League of America - The Dzerelo Children’s Rehabilitation Center which provides a comprehensive program of education and rehabilitation services to children and youth with cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, autism spectrum disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and other developmental disabilities. UNWLA’s Dzherelo fund supports the training of personnel who work with children with special needs.
New York City
Fred Astaire Dance Studio Downtown New York
291 Broadway, Suite 900
New York, NY 10007
October 25th, 7 – 10 pm
Montclair, NJ
18 Label Studio
22 Frink Street
Montclair, NJ 07042
October 27th, 4 – 7 pm
Eventrbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/vyshyvanka-couture-oksana-karavanska-fundraiser-tickets-71750314121
$45 – Standing Room Only. Ticket includes refreshments and hors d'ouevres.
$55 – Seated. Ticket includes refreshments, hors d'ouevres, and a seat.
Oct 25, 2019 at 7 PM to Oct 27, 2019 at 7 PM EDT
A Change of Tack Part 2
Welcome back! This week, I will pick up where I left off last time, talking about the situation facing people with Down syndrome, and realizing that there are some similarities with our own problem. Namely, how society has come to a strange conclusion that we: those who are neurodiverse, disabled, or diverse in any way, shape or form (I remember hearing about how the trans community got sick and tired of everyone thinking that just because they are different from the norm, their lives are somehow immeasurably worse. We hear you). Also the shared pain of driving in the city at night. Or during freezing ice, heavy rain, with other people who don't know how to drive. Driving man, it’s a struggle.
Ever stop to think that, on an almost daily basis, we are driving, or sitting in, large, fast-moving machines that have the power of a hundred horses or more, outrun any other land-based mode of transportation, is either made entirely of metal or plastic, and with the simple turn of a steering wheel can turn a fast moving killing machine?
So what specifically is the problem we, people who are neurodiverse, disabled, and other, is this: our society has a rather weird idea on what it’s like to be, well, not normal. And this idea is not new (and also a chance to show off some of what I learned in my media communications class! Hooray for showing off!). We all take something for granted, like for example, sight. Does not need a wheelchair, prosthetic limb, or the like. Or having a neurology that fits within society's definition (this might be an odd way of trying to mention neurodiversity, but I think we all know what I mean). And to someone who perfectly understands the rules of society, has sight, and does not need such devices like a prosthetic limb or a wheelchair, that way of life can seem like the best way, perhaps the only way, to live.
Than, when someone comes in (is born, immigrants from somewhere, etc.) that is not, in your view, lucky to have all the same abilities that you have, their life must be somehow worse with no benefits at all, and therefore deserves your undying (and incessant) pity. Or is a life form of lower stature than you, and plans to usurp you and everyone like you through their devious, none-normal way of life (shout out to the eugenics movement, you forcefully-sterilizing chums you). Either way, they’re not like you, and that's bad.
And this is where the which came first, the chicken or the egg/nature versus nurture debate comes in, concerning media-communications of course. See, there are a few theories about who is the bigger influencer of society. Either public personas (think local politicians, celebrities, popular media personalities) believed in these negative stereotypes of the diverse members in their midst, and used their influence on the common folk to teach them how to behave towards them, how to imagine them (poor, unfortunate, can't do what we can do), and on and on. From here, the media is influenced by the public personas, which is in turn influenced by the mass population (this, in media-savvy lingo, is called the 2-step approach).
Though, to be honest, it sounds more like a dance move than anything media-like. “Okay everyone, were going to learn how to do the 2-step approach now”.
The other major theory is this. The public personas decide to cut out the middleman altogether, and either directly influence the media themselves, or create their own media, and use the/their media to pass on messages to the public about how those who are diverse deserve pity because of, well, you know. The public than consumes these messages and acts on them, believing the messages in part or in whole (this is called the Hypodermic needle approach. You learn new stuff everyday, like how hypodermic needle sounds more frightening than it does educational).
You can see the dilemma. The point is, the bias that, from what I read, society holds towards people with Down syndrome seems to read parallel, word for word, the same bias that society holds towards people with Autism/Asperger’s and others. So, during this holiday season (or regular season but with just more snow and unforgiving cold), while you about your business buying groceries, working, keeping on top of school work or taking advantage of opportunities cropping up for you (Or both). Or even fighting to change your societies views of whichever oppressed group you belong to/sympathize with, spare a thought for others like you who are facing the same kind of problems. Perhaps even reach out to them, form an alliance, and push for social change together.
Strength in numbers. Until next time, this continues to be, the Audacious Aspie.
Source used:
A Change of Tack
Welcome back! This week, we are diverting a little bit from the usual path of ASD-only content, but still talking about a topic that affects us just as much as it does on my new target of focus. Think about it like we are driving on two different lanes on a highway: we are on a different lane than our usual one, but we are still heading in the same direction with little variation. Also, we get to avoid all the morons who drive like they’re sonic and gotta go fast to some place, all the while weaving in and out of the traffic in the two lanes as if they are in a movie running from the cops or something (which they soon will be). Or we’re driving at night in the city. Ever try to drive in the city at night? You’d think that all the light from the cars and street lights would help improve visibility, it doesn't. Just feels like you are driving through a rave and can’t see the road markings...or the road.
Like this pic here. Perfectly captures what it looks like driving at night in the city. Sick party, poor driving experience.
Back to the topic. A while back, I heard on the CBC radio, or Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, about an interview with someone who asked a question that, admittedly, I had no idea was a thing: why is society, or at least Canadian society (though after a quick google search I soon found that we are not the only ones with this problem) trying to eliminate Down syndrome? A major reason I found in an article by the Washington Post titled “People with Down syndrome are happy. Why are we trying to eliminate them?” is a misconception regarding the quality of life.
Namely: some parents believe that a family member with down-syndrome will live an unfulfilled or a bad life. This view is (perhaps unsurprisingly) shared with certain societal beliefs. An example of this is given in the article, an opinion of a biologist in Oxford (not sure if it’s the university of Oxford, or the city of Oxford, just that he’s form a place called Oxford) which states “it would be ‘immoral’ to give birth to a child with Down Syndrome if the parents had a choice” (People with Down Syndrome are happy. Why are we trying to eliminate them? Paragraph 3). Whoa, that one comment hit the trifecta of points when coming up with an opinion targeting your least-favorite social group: dark, uncaring, and uneducated. Most people only hit one or two points.
And that’s just one example of the many depressing examples around the world the article lists of, examples like the one above, but now let’s move on too the more positive and uplifting side of the article: that people with Down syndrome are anything but living a “bad life”. There is opposition, naturally, against the unfulfilled-life argument and others like it: that people with Down Syndrome are actually a happy lot who can live pretty fulfilling lives. But not only are they living happy lives, but, the article states “they also bring a great deal of happiness to their friends and family members.” (People with Down Syndrome are happy.)
Usual story it seems: a dark, perpetually moody force tries to wipe out a beacon of light and happiness, to ensure that everyone is as miserable as they are. It reminds me of the Blue Meanies in The Beatles movie: The Yellow Submarine.
Will, that does it for this week's post. Notice a similarity here? If not, don’t worry. I’ll explain later in next week's episode were I will also shine a light on the more positive side of the issue, hinted at in the last paragraph. Until next time, this continues to be, the Audacious Aspie.
Source used:
Please join us for the 8th Annual 'Fore The Kids' Golf Benefit to support Special Education programs at the Museum School, a high performing, tuition-free public charter school for K-8 students located in San Diego. With 18% of its students in Special Education, the Museum School provides extra services for students with Learning Disabilities, Speech and Language Disorders, Physical Disabilities, Autism, and Down's Syndrome. All of this costs much more than is provided for by state funding. This is a great opportunity to help these kids while enjoying an outstanding day of golf, lunch, dinner and refreshments on the course. Tournament scoring is based on a scramble format. Awards will be presented to contest and tournament winners at the dinner banquet. Presented by Friends of the Museum School, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.
Halifax town crier makes history as first in Canada with Down syndrome
When Will Brewer was walking in the Halifax Pride parade with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau last summer, he never expected that the next parade would mark his first event as the official town crier for the Olde Town of Halifax.
