Thursday, October 29, 2009

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month

Since October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month I thought I would share the following video with you. This video tracks a day at work for Laura Lee. Laura is a young woman with Down syndrome and a recent graduate of The Life Program at George Mason University. Laura is now happily beginning her career at The World Bank in the metro Washington DC area.

http://masonlife.gmu.edu/photo/life_video_laura/

Colleges and Universities across the country are beginning to offer post secondary educational programs that lead to increased employment opportunities for people like Laura Lee. This is very exciting as we are now beginning to change the focus from a “job” to a “career” and recognizing the college experience as one more choice/option for normalizing experiences for young adults with developmental disabilities.

I hope you enjoy this video as much as I did!

Thursday, October 22, 2009

D.A.D.S. Hayride on the 24th!

Howdy 'yall!

Just a quick reminder to dust off your cowboy boots, grab your warmest sweater (that you don't mind getting a little toasted marshmallow goo on), and plan your Saturday afternoon with all your friends from Down Syndrome Indiana and D.A.D.S. at the Annual Hayride!As you can all plainly see, we've been blessed with another BEAUTIFUL fall here in Indiana! And there aren't many places better to enjoy it from than Kyle Spencer's scenic berry farm and pumpkin patch up in Noblesville. We'll have all the fixins for a perfect fall day on the farm: hotdogs, chips, hot apple cider & hot chocolate, popcorn balls and all kinds of other fun fall goodies. The kids can decorate their own pumpkin, jump in the bounce-house, take part in the "Skeleton Relay", or just sit and enjoy the season by our roaring bon fire. And of course, it wouldn't be a hay ride without... a Hay Ride! The whole family can jump up into the Spencer's wagon and take a cruise around the farm behind the tractor.While this is a DADS sponsored event, it is an event for EVERYONE. Even if DAD can't make it, Moms & kids and friends are all welcome to come enjoy the day!The fun starts at 3:00 pm this Saturday, Oct. 24th and lasts till 7:00 pm.The location is the same as the previous years:
Spencer's U-Pick Farm
7177 E. 161st Street
Noblesville, IN

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=7177+E.+161st+Street++++++Noblesville,+IN&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=61.669968,120.849609&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=7177+E+161st+St,+Noblesville,+Hamilton,+Indiana+46062&t=h&z=17We'll

See y'all there!!-Ted Scofield Hayride DAD

Because this hayride requires lots of gettin' ready. We like to know how many of you plan to attend.Please contact the DSI office to let us know you'll be there:e-mail at: <register@dsindiana.org>phone at: 317-925-7617Thanks!!-Ted

Saturday, October 3, 2009

Park Tudor Boys Tennis Team wins Award for Volunteer Service

Players from the Park Tudor Boys Varsity and Junior Varsity tennis teams will be receiving the Bronze Level President’s Volunteer Service Award for initiating a permanent seasonal tennis program for Down Syndrome Indiana Organization families. In partnership with Park Tudor School, tennis lessons are offered by the players throughout the fall free of charge for Down Syndrome Indiana families interested in learning the sport. “It has been a fun experience for all of us and we just love the kids”, says Brendan Tannenbaum.

The President’s Council on Service created the President’s Volunteer Service Award program as a way to thank and honor Americans who, by their demonstrated commitment and example, inspire others to engage in volunteer service. Tennis Team Captains, Sam Miles and Kishan Shah, are the official liaisons between Down Syndrome Indiana and the Park Tudor tennis team. The volunteers participating this fall received the Bronze Level Award of 50 plus hours of service include:

Sam Clarke
Sam Geier
Scott Kincannon
Jack Miles
Sam Miles
Matt Neal
Jack Rardon
Kishan Shah
Brendan Tannenbaum
Nick Tannenbaum

“The Park Tudor tennis players have created a fun experience for the kids, with physical fitness, team building and some inventive tennis games”, says a Park Tudor tennis Mom.

Spring tennis clinics will commence again in April with the Park Tudor girls tennis team joining the boys to conduct the clinics.

A huge thanks to the Park Tudor Varsity and Junior Varsity Teams for organizing this wonderful opportunity!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1