Airplanes, skydiving, good food and family fun are all part of the Fifth Annual
Fly In/Drive In - Open House at Indianapolis Executive Airport.
Admission and parking are absolutely free. Prots from food or refreshments
will go toward helping Down Syndrome families throughout Indiana. Since
2007, Indy Exec and Montgomery Aviation have raised more than $45,000 for
Down Syndrome Indiana.
And this year there is something new. Rolls Royce has joined our team of
sponsors with a unique event display and an extremely generous contribution.
For every visitor to the Open House, Rolls Royce will donate one dollar to
Down Syndrome Indiana.
And that’s not all! Airport visitors will have the opportunity to see the only
Redbird FMX -ight simulator in public use in all of Indiana! Pilots and -ight
students -y all sorts of aircraft simulating all conditions without ever leaving
the ground. You will want to see this demonstration!
Saturday, August 6th 10AM - 2PM
Indianapolis Executive Airport
11329 East SR 32, Zionsville, IN 46077
3 miles east of US 421 / 6 miles west of US 31
Contacts:
Andi Montgomery
Indy Exec
317.769.4487
Claire Chappell
Rolls-Royce
317.230.5833
Lisa Tokarz-Gutierrez
Down Syndrome Indiana
317.313.9615
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
College can be an Option!
New Website Encourages College as an Option for Children with an Intellectual Disability
The Indiana Postsecondary Education Coalition recently launched a website to inspire families of young children with an intellectual disability to consider college as an option available to their child when (s)he graduates high school. The website is www.thinkcollegeindiana.org. Now, families, educators and employers have a resource that emphasizes the value of a college life experience for ALL.
The goal of the coalition and the website is to begin to tear down the barriers that have excluded students with intellectual disabilities from the experiences of college. The coalition believes that individuals with an intellectual disability can and should have the opportunity to gain meaningful employment that includes a full-time career , a living wage and insurance benefits if they so choose. In fact, the Indiana Postsecondary Education Coalition envisions a world in which young adults with intellectual disabilities have the option of electing college as part of their planning as they transition from high school to the adult world. A college experience, which can include, academic, social and vocational components is really about providing opportunities to gain knowledge and skills that can change a life of dependence to one of independence and productive work!
“ Currently the only known college in Indiana that offers a program for individuals with a developmental disability is IUPUI and we are so grateful for the work that Pat Rogan is doing there! Now, we want more opportunities for students with an intellectual disability to experience college and the launch of this website is just one more step in creating the awareness needed for a more inclusive society for all.” Said Lisa Tokarz-Gutierrez, Executive Director of Down Syndrome Indiana, one of the organizations active in the coalition.
About the Postsecondary Education Coalition
The Indiana Postsecondary Education Coalition is a statewide effort of advocacy organizations including Down Syndrome Indiana (DSI), the ARC of Indiana, the Autism Society of Indiana (ASI), Goodwill, the Indiana Institute on Disability and Community at Indiana University, IUPUI, the National Down Syndrome Society, Passages, Inc., and of course parents, educators and self advocates promoting postsecondary education (college) options for students with a developmental disability.
It is important to note that this is a long-term process. It may take years to make this a widely accepted option but the good news is there is a team in place that is ready to stick with it for however long it may take. For more information on the Indiana Postsecondary Education Coalition, please visit www.thinkcollegeindiana.org.
The Indiana Postsecondary Education Coalition recently launched a website to inspire families of young children with an intellectual disability to consider college as an option available to their child when (s)he graduates high school. The website is www.thinkcollegeindiana.org. Now, families, educators and employers have a resource that emphasizes the value of a college life experience for ALL.
The goal of the coalition and the website is to begin to tear down the barriers that have excluded students with intellectual disabilities from the experiences of college. The coalition believes that individuals with an intellectual disability can and should have the opportunity to gain meaningful employment that includes a full-time career , a living wage and insurance benefits if they so choose. In fact, the Indiana Postsecondary Education Coalition envisions a world in which young adults with intellectual disabilities have the option of electing college as part of their planning as they transition from high school to the adult world. A college experience, which can include, academic, social and vocational components is really about providing opportunities to gain knowledge and skills that can change a life of dependence to one of independence and productive work!
“ Currently the only known college in Indiana that offers a program for individuals with a developmental disability is IUPUI and we are so grateful for the work that Pat Rogan is doing there! Now, we want more opportunities for students with an intellectual disability to experience college and the launch of this website is just one more step in creating the awareness needed for a more inclusive society for all.” Said Lisa Tokarz-Gutierrez, Executive Director of Down Syndrome Indiana, one of the organizations active in the coalition.
About the Postsecondary Education Coalition
The Indiana Postsecondary Education Coalition is a statewide effort of advocacy organizations including Down Syndrome Indiana (DSI), the ARC of Indiana, the Autism Society of Indiana (ASI), Goodwill, the Indiana Institute on Disability and Community at Indiana University, IUPUI, the National Down Syndrome Society, Passages, Inc., and of course parents, educators and self advocates promoting postsecondary education (college) options for students with a developmental disability.
It is important to note that this is a long-term process. It may take years to make this a widely accepted option but the good news is there is a team in place that is ready to stick with it for however long it may take. For more information on the Indiana Postsecondary Education Coalition, please visit www.thinkcollegeindiana.org.
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Action Alert!
Action Alert The following laws, rules and civil rights are in place for our loved ones with a disability: the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a free a appropriate education (FAPE), a guarantee of an education in the least restrictive environment (LRE) and Individualized Education Programs (IEP), the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the procedural safeguards it provides, such as, due process hearings. Did you know that if you accept a voucher for your child with Down syndrome to attend a nonpublic school, you could be giving up these rights? According to the Arc of Indiana, this bill, HB 1003 the School Scholarships Bill, was voted out of the Senate Education committee this week and will be eligible for amendments and a vote during the week of April 18th in the Indiana Senate. Well, that sounds harmless, a bill that encourages scholarships to low income students to pay the cost of tuition, right? WRONG! WRONG! WRONG! The Down Syndrome Indiana Public Policy Committee encourages families to oppose this bill altogether. And here is why… Reasons to Oppose HB 1003 – the School Scholarships Bill If you have a child with a disability and you accept a voucher… 1. An IEP (Individualized Education Program) is no longer guaranteed; 2. You just opted out of procedural protections; 3. Due process – gone; it’s no longer guaranteed; 4. Mediation – nope, not anymore; it’s no longer guaranteed; 5. In fact, the safeguards provided under IDEA altogether are no longer guaranteed; 6. No guarantee of a Free and Appropriate Education (FAPE) either; 7. No guarantee of transportation any longer; 8. If this passes as is, schools that accept vouchers won’t even need to be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If schools receive public funding then they should have to comply with civil rights laws. Please contact your local legislators right away and let them know how you feel! You can write to your legislator at: (Insert their name here) State House 200 West Washington Street Indianapolis, IN 46204 If you don’t know who your legislator is, you can find them through this website: http://www.in.gov/legislative/legislators/.
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Public Mass Transit
Contact your state legislator and ask them to restore funding for the Public Mass Transit Fund in Indiana’s state budget. Access to safe and affordable public transportation is an essential service for maximizing independent living opportunities for individuals with Down syndrome. Down Syndrome Indiana believes that public transportation options must increase throughout the state. A great disparity exists between urban populations and less populated suburban and rural populations. This disparity results in limiting social, recreational, educational and employment opportunities for individuals with Down syndrome in geographic areas where public transportation is limited or unavailable. This may also have the affect of forcing individuals with Down syndrome to choose housing and employment options in areas where public transportation is available, but not where they would otherwise choose to live or work. Further, limited public transportation may result in individuals with Down syndrome forgoing wellness programming and needed medical services. You can write to your legislator at: (Insert their name here) State House 200 West Washington Street Indianapolis, IN 46204 If you don’t know who your legislator is, you can find them through this website: http://www.in.gov/legislative/legislators/.
Friday, March 25, 2011
The Runway of Life
Katie may have Down syndrome but it doesn’t define who she is…..
On Saturday, March 19, 2011 Katie Shaw gave a wonderful speech at the Down Syndrome Indiana Fashion Show presented by Midwest Fashion Week. Click here to listen to what she has to say about the runway of life: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXsxikw6J3w
On Saturday, March 19, 2011 Katie Shaw gave a wonderful speech at the Down Syndrome Indiana Fashion Show presented by Midwest Fashion Week. Click here to listen to what she has to say about the runway of life: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXsxikw6J3w
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Meet the Children's Show Models....
The Children’s Fashion Show is only 5 days away! Join Down Syndrome Indiana and Midwest Fashion Week as we celebrate the joy of being a child through a colorful presentation of contemporary children’s fashion. This fun-filled event for families and friends includes an
elegant Sunday brunch, inclusive fashion show, opportunity to create positive public awareness about Down syndrome and closing entertainment by Colts Mascot, Blue! Tickets are $25.00 per adult and $15.00 per child and are still available at: www.dsindiana.org. Now, let’s meet our models! ..
Name: Karinne Lee
Fun Facts about Karinne: Karinne Lee is 8 years old and is in 2nd grade at St. Matthew Catholic School. She loves to sing, dance, perform for others, and everything pink. She has performed in several dance recitals doing ballet, and currently is in stomp. Karinne also does cheerleading with Special Olympics and Girl Scouts. She has 2 sisters, Micah and Reagan.
Name: Michaela Deputy
Fun Facts about Michaela: Michaela lives in Indianapolis with her dad, mom, brother, two dogs, and a cat. She is 13 years old and is in the 7th grade at Christel House Academy, where she is stu-dent manager for the volleyball team. Michaela is a fighter, having survived open heart surgery at 10 months old and leukemia at 7 years old. She loves Barbies, American Girl dolls, princesses, playing Wii, swimming, and sledding. She attends The Creek and helps in the Scrapyard Sunday school class and is also active in the middle school life group. She is a busy volunteer with the Leu-kemia and Lymphoma Society and Riley Children’s Foundation. Michaela is anxiously awaiting a November mission trip to Nicaragua with her mom to serve in a special-needs school for a week.
Name: Mackenzie Wilt
Fun Facts about Mackenzie: Mackenzie Wilt is excited to be a part of the fashion show this year. She is ten years old and attends Mohawk Trails Ele-mentary School. She is in 4th grade and loves going to school. Mackenzie enjoys cheerleading and swimming and loves to play with her friends and siblings. Currently she is practicing for her 4th grade musical in which she will be singing a solo and acting as an IU cheerleader. At home she loves arts and crafts, Barbies, Polly Pockets, movies and playing video games. She is a huge help around the house and always has a clean room!
Name: Sydney Pequignot
Fun Facts about Sydney: Sydney lives in NE Indiana with her Mom Denise, Dad Chad, big brother Seth and dog, Maggie. She attends Little Turtle Elementary and is in the 2nd grade. She loves to read & swim. Her activities include Cheer, Lap club (a swim team for special needs) and attends Camp Red Cedar during the summer where she rides horses.
Name: Aurora Lynn Ellis
Fun Facts about Aurora: Aurora is a kindergartner at Mill Creek West Ele-mentary in Amo, Indiana. She enjoys playing with her two brothers, Wyatt 9 and Sawyer 3. She also spends time visit-ing with her friends. Aurora loves cheer-leading, and is a member of the Elite Cheer and Dance Special Needs Team. She performs at lo-cal competitions. Another one of Aurora's favorite pastimes is dancing! She is a great shopper and loves to get new clothes! She has partici-pated in the DSI Buddy Walk since she has been six weeks old.
Name: Mia Francesca Accinelli
Fun facts about Mia: She is a daddy's girl. She loves to watch to Spongebob and Word World. Her favorite phrases are, "No way!" and "Duh!" She figured out her mom's iPod Touch before her mom did and frequently says it's hers. We call her "Itty bitty" because she's so tiny. She loves going to school. She is a wonder-ful helper. She helps anyone, anywhere.
Name: Madison Collins
Fun Facts about Madison: Madison is in 6th grade at Childs Elemen-tary in Bloomington, IN and lives with her mom and dad and her older sister in high school. She has 2 older brothers living out of state . She enjoys the computer and playing many sports e,g, basketball, soccer, swimming, dance, bowling, riding her bike. She is very creative and enjoys designing, coloring and cutting decorations her room . Madi-son is very social, likes being around other people and has a good sense of humor . Her favorite color is purple. She thoroughly enjoys singing and dancing to Hannah Montana and the Jonas Brothers .
Name: Name: Taylor Collins
Fun Facts about Taylor : Taylor is a 7 year old Fabulous First-grader. Everyday is a holiday for this Little Princess. She enjoys dancing, sing-ing and the spotlight! Taylor brings joy and love into our lives daily as there is never a dull moment when the Diva is on deck!
Name: Hallie Creason
Fun Facts about Hallie: Hallie is 7 years old and in the first grade. She enjoys swimming, gymnastics, and attending church activities. Hallie loves books, playing with friends, and watching Han-nah Montana. She also enjoys visits with her grandmas and grandpas and loves her big brother Kyle.
Name: Joshua Graham
No bio available at this time.
Marissa Schneck:
No photo/bio available at this time.
Name: Evan Marcus Sondgerath
Fun Facts about Evan : Evan is currently ten years old. He has three sisters, Erin, Emily and Nicole (deceased 7/16/99). Evan enjoys participating on the Conductors Cheerleading Team at Cheer Ex-press. He is currently taking swimming lessons twice a week. Evan participated in Boy Scouts for two years and enjoyed playing soccer on a recrea-tional team for three seasons. He enjoys music, dancing and playing dress-up. Evan is loving and caring but also very comical.
Name: Ben Scofield
Name: Katie Rogers
No photo/bio available at this time.
elegant Sunday brunch, inclusive fashion show, opportunity to create positive public awareness about Down syndrome and closing entertainment by Colts Mascot, Blue! Tickets are $25.00 per adult and $15.00 per child and are still available at: www.dsindiana.org. Now, let’s meet our models! ..
Name: Karinne Lee
Fun Facts about Karinne: Karinne Lee is 8 years old and is in 2nd grade at St. Matthew Catholic School. She loves to sing, dance, perform for others, and everything pink. She has performed in several dance recitals doing ballet, and currently is in stomp. Karinne also does cheerleading with Special Olympics and Girl Scouts. She has 2 sisters, Micah and Reagan.
Name: Michaela Deputy
Fun Facts about Michaela: Michaela lives in Indianapolis with her dad, mom, brother, two dogs, and a cat. She is 13 years old and is in the 7th grade at Christel House Academy, where she is stu-dent manager for the volleyball team. Michaela is a fighter, having survived open heart surgery at 10 months old and leukemia at 7 years old. She loves Barbies, American Girl dolls, princesses, playing Wii, swimming, and sledding. She attends The Creek and helps in the Scrapyard Sunday school class and is also active in the middle school life group. She is a busy volunteer with the Leu-kemia and Lymphoma Society and Riley Children’s Foundation. Michaela is anxiously awaiting a November mission trip to Nicaragua with her mom to serve in a special-needs school for a week.
Name: Mackenzie Wilt
Fun Facts about Mackenzie: Mackenzie Wilt is excited to be a part of the fashion show this year. She is ten years old and attends Mohawk Trails Ele-mentary School. She is in 4th grade and loves going to school. Mackenzie enjoys cheerleading and swimming and loves to play with her friends and siblings. Currently she is practicing for her 4th grade musical in which she will be singing a solo and acting as an IU cheerleader. At home she loves arts and crafts, Barbies, Polly Pockets, movies and playing video games. She is a huge help around the house and always has a clean room!
Name: Sydney Pequignot
Fun Facts about Sydney: Sydney lives in NE Indiana with her Mom Denise, Dad Chad, big brother Seth and dog, Maggie. She attends Little Turtle Elementary and is in the 2nd grade. She loves to read & swim. Her activities include Cheer, Lap club (a swim team for special needs) and attends Camp Red Cedar during the summer where she rides horses.
Name: Aurora Lynn Ellis
Fun Facts about Aurora: Aurora is a kindergartner at Mill Creek West Ele-mentary in Amo, Indiana. She enjoys playing with her two brothers, Wyatt 9 and Sawyer 3. She also spends time visit-ing with her friends. Aurora loves cheer-leading, and is a member of the Elite Cheer and Dance Special Needs Team. She performs at lo-cal competitions. Another one of Aurora's favorite pastimes is dancing! She is a great shopper and loves to get new clothes! She has partici-pated in the DSI Buddy Walk since she has been six weeks old.
Name: Mia Francesca Accinelli
Fun facts about Mia: She is a daddy's girl. She loves to watch to Spongebob and Word World. Her favorite phrases are, "No way!" and "Duh!" She figured out her mom's iPod Touch before her mom did and frequently says it's hers. We call her "Itty bitty" because she's so tiny. She loves going to school. She is a wonder-ful helper. She helps anyone, anywhere.
Name: Madison Collins
Fun Facts about Madison: Madison is in 6th grade at Childs Elemen-tary in Bloomington, IN and lives with her mom and dad and her older sister in high school. She has 2 older brothers living out of state . She enjoys the computer and playing many sports e,g, basketball, soccer, swimming, dance, bowling, riding her bike. She is very creative and enjoys designing, coloring and cutting decorations her room . Madi-son is very social, likes being around other people and has a good sense of humor . Her favorite color is purple. She thoroughly enjoys singing and dancing to Hannah Montana and the Jonas Brothers .
Name: Name: Taylor Collins
Fun Facts about Taylor : Taylor is a 7 year old Fabulous First-grader. Everyday is a holiday for this Little Princess. She enjoys dancing, sing-ing and the spotlight! Taylor brings joy and love into our lives daily as there is never a dull moment when the Diva is on deck!
Name: Hallie Creason
Fun Facts about Hallie: Hallie is 7 years old and in the first grade. She enjoys swimming, gymnastics, and attending church activities. Hallie loves books, playing with friends, and watching Han-nah Montana. She also enjoys visits with her grandmas and grandpas and loves her big brother Kyle.
Name: Joshua Graham
No bio available at this time.
Marissa Schneck:
No photo/bio available at this time.
Name: Evan Marcus Sondgerath
Fun Facts about Evan : Evan is currently ten years old. He has three sisters, Erin, Emily and Nicole (deceased 7/16/99). Evan enjoys participating on the Conductors Cheerleading Team at Cheer Ex-press. He is currently taking swimming lessons twice a week. Evan participated in Boy Scouts for two years and enjoyed playing soccer on a recrea-tional team for three seasons. He enjoys music, dancing and playing dress-up. Evan is loving and caring but also very comical.
Name: Ben Scofield
Name: Katie Rogers
No photo/bio available at this time.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Action Alert
Please take action now!
The National Down Syndrome Society has issued an action alert regarding funding for postsecondary education programs for students with intellectual disabilities at this link:
http://capwiz.com/ndss/issues/alert/?alertid=32315501&queueid=6554673811
This issue is near and dear to the mission of Down Syndrome Indiana! As many of you know, DSI has been a part of the Indiana Postsecondary Education Coalition and the progress made to date is nothing short of amazing thanks to a grant from the US Department of Education but a funding cut in this area could slow progress dramatically! “This week the funding for that grant and all the other grants and initiatives face potential elimination from the federal budget. The Republican plan, the continuing resolution and the President’s Budget currently threaten to zero out these items. Our children have 3 times as much success gaining meaningful employment after completing one of these programs versus not attending. We have made too much progress to let this slip away….” Says Jeff Huffman, Chair of the Public Policy Committee in the Indiana Postsecondary Education Coalition and parent of Nash, who happens to have Down syndrome.
Please contact your congressional representative and ask them to support funding to continue the Transition Programs for Students with Intellectual Disabilities into Higher Education (TPSID) and the TPSID National Coordinating Center by the Office of Postsecondary Education in the U.S. Department of Education. These demonstration projects are developing models of effective ways to ensure that students with intellectual disabilities have access to postsecondary education and increased employment outcomes. These programs should be protected and supported in the FY 2011 and FY 2012 funding bills.If calling by phone, use the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121 and ask for the office of your Members.
It’s okay if you don’t know who your member of congress is or can’t find their contact info: Just go here:
http://capwiz.com/ndss/home/
On the right side type in your zip code and look them up.
Again, for more information, please visit this link:
http://capwiz.com/ndss/issues/alert/?alertid=32315501&queueid=6554673811
Dedicated to enhancing the lives of individuals with Down syndrome,
Lisa Tokarz-Gutierrez, Executive Director
The National Down Syndrome Society has issued an action alert regarding funding for postsecondary education programs for students with intellectual disabilities at this link:
http://capwiz.com/ndss/issues/alert/?alertid=32315501&queueid=6554673811
This issue is near and dear to the mission of Down Syndrome Indiana! As many of you know, DSI has been a part of the Indiana Postsecondary Education Coalition and the progress made to date is nothing short of amazing thanks to a grant from the US Department of Education but a funding cut in this area could slow progress dramatically! “This week the funding for that grant and all the other grants and initiatives face potential elimination from the federal budget. The Republican plan, the continuing resolution and the President’s Budget currently threaten to zero out these items. Our children have 3 times as much success gaining meaningful employment after completing one of these programs versus not attending. We have made too much progress to let this slip away….” Says Jeff Huffman, Chair of the Public Policy Committee in the Indiana Postsecondary Education Coalition and parent of Nash, who happens to have Down syndrome.
Please contact your congressional representative and ask them to support funding to continue the Transition Programs for Students with Intellectual Disabilities into Higher Education (TPSID) and the TPSID National Coordinating Center by the Office of Postsecondary Education in the U.S. Department of Education. These demonstration projects are developing models of effective ways to ensure that students with intellectual disabilities have access to postsecondary education and increased employment outcomes. These programs should be protected and supported in the FY 2011 and FY 2012 funding bills.If calling by phone, use the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121 and ask for the office of your Members.
It’s okay if you don’t know who your member of congress is or can’t find their contact info: Just go here:
http://capwiz.com/ndss/home/
On the right side type in your zip code and look them up.
Again, for more information, please visit this link:
http://capwiz.com/ndss/issues/alert/?alertid=32315501&queueid=6554673811
Dedicated to enhancing the lives of individuals with Down syndrome,
Lisa Tokarz-Gutierrez, Executive Director
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