NDSC Convention: Just a drive away

42nd annual convention brings together families, professionals in downtown Indy

 

INDIANAPOLIS - The first to take place in Indiana since 1976, the National Down Syndrome Congress 42nd Annual Convention will take place this summer at the JW Marriott in downtown Indianapolis July 11-13, 2014.

 

Within driving distance for most of the Midwest, Indianapolis provides a unique travel opportunity for families who want to feel prepared and empowered to support a loved one with Down syndrome.

 

Who: NDSC and host, Down Syndrome Indiana, invite families, educators and medical professionals to take part in this three-day educational event. More than 2,500 people are expected to take part this year.

 

What:  Each year, the NDSC convention will include internationally known speakers, more than 60 topic-specific workshops, including the Brothers and Sisters conference for siblings of individuals with Down syndrome and the Youth and Adults conference is for self advocates aged 15 and up, as well as breakout sessions and other social events.

 

When: July 11-13, 2014

 

Where: JW Marriott in downtown Indianapolis (10 S West Street Indianapolis, IN 46204)

 

To register for the event go to http://convention.ndsccenter.org/

For volunteer opportunities contact Alyssa Ludlow, DSI Volunteer Coordinator, at alyssa@dsindiana.org.  Group volunteer slots are still available.

Sarah's Great Day!

One of my favorite parts of working at DSI is the amazing people that I meet every single day. I recently had the opportunity to find out more about a local online cooking show called Sarah’s Great Day. It is developed by a local mother and her daughter Sarah, who is 15 and happens to have Down syndrome. Prepare to be inspired as Sarah develops her skills in math, cooking and acting! In addition to being an uplifting, feel good show, it is filmed by local high school students who are also gaining valuable skills. To support Sarah in her pursuit of independence (and the cooking of great food!), DSI will begin posting links to Sarah’s show in our e-newsletters and posting her recipes on a weekly basis. So for the first featured episode, let’s meet Sarah as she plants basil and makes pesto from scratch!

 

Click here for Sarah’sawesome pesto recipe! I can’t wait to make it!

 

Don’t just have a good day, have a GREAT day!

 

 

Lisa Wells, Executive Director

Community Group takes to the Green "Fore" Down Syndrome Awareness

 

The DSI D.A.D.S. will host their 12^th Annual Charity Golf Outing to benefit summer camp

and bolster outreach for local support and advocacy of individuals with Down syndrome.

 

By Guest Blogger: Jessica Hadsell

 

 

Indianapolis, IN – On Friday, May 30, 2014, family members, friends of individuals with Down syndrome, and community supporters will “tee off” for the 12^th Annual DSI D.A.D.S. Golf Outing. The DSI D.A.D.S. are excited to host this outing at Eagle Creek Golf Course, a premier facility that offers a challenging course designed by Pete Dye and is conveniently located in Indianapolis (8802 W. 56^th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46234). Registration will begin Friday morning at 10:30am and the golf scramble will being at 12:00pm. Nearly 300 golfers are expected to participate this year. To register yourself and your team, please visit: http://www.dsindiana.org/Golf.php.

 

About the DSI D.A.D.S. Golf Outing

In the last decade, the DSI D.A.D.S. have raised more than $600,000 and have done many good things for the Down syndrome community. In 2013, with the help of our corporate sponsors, generous donors, and more than 250 golfers, the DSI D.A.D.S. raised an amazing $35,000 to support Camp Hi-Lite and other programs and initiatives, which promote inclusion, acceptance, education, social opportunities and advocacy for individuals with Down syndrome. In addition to golfing, this family-friendly event offers a raffle in which anyone has a chance to win fantastic prizes, enjoy music and interactive displays with “Colts in Motion”, and a delicious lunch. This event is an opportunity for families, friends, and members of the community to come together to raise awareness in a fun and exciting way, and a chance to participate in one of the largest golf outings in Indiana and the Midwest!

 

About the DSI D.A.D.S.

In 2002, the first chapter of D.A.D.S. was formed in Indianapolis with the simple mission to assist and support, through fellowship and action, the fathers and families of individuals with Down syndrome. More than ten years later, there are more than sixty D.A.D.S. committees across the US, Canada, and Australia. DSI D.A.D.S. address the changing role of male influences in the Down syndrome community through fellowship, action, and support. The group is proud to be a part of Down Syndrome Indiana, a not-for-profit, 501(c)3, non-member organization serving the needs of individuals with Down syndrome along with their families, caregivers, teachers and employers. Mike Byron credits the DSI D.A.D.S. and Down Syndrome Indiana for helping him and his family cope with the initial shock of his daughter’s diagnosis, “The men I know from DADS are some of the greatest guys I know.  I have learned a lot from them and I’ve had a lot of fun with them in the process.  They guys I know from DADS make the journey of having a child with Down syndrome an absolutely awesome experience.” The programs and services provided by Down Syndrome Indiana and the DSI D.A.D.S. are supported totally by individual and corporate donations combined with annual fund raisers and special events.

 

Contact

To learn more about the DSI D.A.D.S. Golf Outing, please contact:

Jessica Hadsell, Event Coordinator  

708 E. Michigan Street, Indianapolis, IN 46202

Office: (317) 925-7617

Fax: (317) 925-7619

jessica@dsindiana.org

Employees with Down syndrome add Value to Organizations

If you are an employer looking for an employee that shows up on time for work, is rarely absent, has a positive attitude and improves the work environment around him or her…. Hire an individual with Down syndrome!

As someone intimately involved in the Ds community, of course we already know that hiring people with Down syndrome is beneficial to companies. However, it is quite nice when a studies are published that back up what we already know. In a study by McKinsey & Company that was published in March of 2014, entitled, “The Value that Employees with Down syndrome can add to Organizations” the authors Vicente Assis, Marcus Frank, Guilherme Bcheche and Bruno Kuboiama found that, “companies that employ people with Down syndrome often report significant improvements in their organizational health”.  

People with Down syndrome have a positive impact on a number of organizational health dimensions including but not limited to:

·        Leadership;

·        A positive impact on client satisfaction;

·        Culture & climate;

·        Motivation and coordination;

·        Control.

It is known that there is a direct, mapped relationship between increased, organizational health and business performance therefore, the bottom line is that the positive impact people with Down syndrome have on, organizational health also has a positive effect on business performance. In addition, individuals with Down syndrome tend to have very low levels of absenteeism. So, there you have it folks, if you would like an employee that shows up on time for work, is rarely absent, has a positive attitude and improves the work environment around him or her…. hire an individual with Down syndrome!

Dedicated to enhancing the lives of individuals with Down syndrome,

 

 

Lisa Wells, Executive Director

Buddy Walk® 2014 Team Registration Now Open!

Once again, we will gather to celebrate in Celebration Plaza of White River State Park in beautiful downtown Indianapolis, with the walk beginning at noon along the scenic canal loop. This family-friendly event is open to all children and adults with Down syndrome, their families, friends and thousands of local supporters. Mark your calendar for Saturday, October 11, 2014 and be prepared to have a great experience!

 

We, at Down Syndrome Indiana, are so grateful for the hard work and dedication of our families and friends, not just in October, but year round! To celebrate your success and reward a few that go above and beyond, we have a few Buddy Walk® incentives to ring in the new year! Best of luck!

·         Each team that registers online via First Giving by Monday, September 22^nd will receive a customized team sign to carry proudly as they walk along the canal;

 

·         For every $50 a team raises, the captain is eligible to receive one (1) event t-shirt and food voucher (while supplies last) that he/she may distribute to team members the day of the walk;

 

·         Any team that raises $5,000 by August 1^st will be featured on a billboard in central Indiana this fall, highlighting their loved one and promoting the 17^th Annual Buddy Walk® in Indianapolis;

 

·         The team that raises the most money (online and offline) by Friday, October 3, 2014 is considered the “winning team” and will have their pictures featured on promotional items for the Buddy Walk® in 2015*; * The “winning team” from the previous year’s walk is ineligible to be named the first place team for consecutive years. Eligibility as a “winning team” will be re-instate the following year (2015). If the ineligible team is able to match their fundraising amount from the previous year by Monday, September 29^th 2014, they will be awarded a special “VIP” area to decorate as they choose and to use as a special place to gather and celebrate at the walk in 2014. 

 

·         The top three (3) individual fundraisers will receive awards and be recognized at the Buddy Walk®;

 

·         Additional awards and prizes will be presented the day of the Buddy Walk® for teams that show the most spirit, travel the farthest, and exemplifies the true spirit of the Buddy Walk®!

 

There are currently 8 teams registered for the 17^th Annual Buddy Walk – that is 5% of our goal for 200 teams! Keep up the great work, and be sure to encourage your friends, family and neighbors to join us on October 11^th!

14:21 = Melanie es un AMOR!!

Brakayla and Buddies Beautiful Bow Brigade

Come Walk with Cameron

Ella’s Fella

Holden’s Force

Rachel’s Rangers

Team Super Logan

The 21 DreamS Team

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER YOUR TEAM FOR THE 17^TH ANNUAL BUDDY WALK®

 

Down Syndrome Indiana Participates in Disability Awareness Month 2014

March 2014 is Disability Awareness Month and Down Syndrome Indiana, along with individuals, businesses and organizations across the state will be recognizing the abilities of people with disabilities. The Indiana Governor’s Council for People with Disabilities has created a new campaign to help educate Hoosiers about disability-related issues and remind everyone of the importance of access, engagement and relationships in making all our communities better places to live.

 

While Disability Awareness Month continues to focus on inclusion for people with disabilities, the 2014 campaign theme, “Dream to Dare,” reminds us that if we want to have the communities of our dreams, we must work together to create communities that are sustainable, accessible, economically viable and encourage civic and social engagement for all. This year’s campaign materials use poetic text to help frame our attitudes toward what we all want to achieve – a community that is healthy, safe and friendly for all.

 

“We are very excited about theme of this year’s campaign because encouraging all citizens to develop relationships and work toward common goals is of great importance as we strive to create sustainable and accessible communities for citizens of all ages and ethnicities, with and without disabilities,” said Suellen Jackson-Boner, Council executive director. “The Council is extremely pleased to learn that Down Syndrome Indiana is joining in this effort.”

 

As in previous years, Disability Awareness Month 2014 will be celebrated with community-based activities carried out by thousands of advocates and people with disabilities throughout the state. Activities include mayoral proclamations, art contests and awareness campaigns in schools, government agencies and businesses.

 

For more information about Disability Awareness Month activities and how you can participate, call Lisa Wells at 317-925-7617.  If you would like to order free Disability Awareness materials from the Council , visit www.indianadisabilityawareness.org or contact Kim Dennison at Borshoff, (317) 631-6400 (voice); (317) 631-6499 (fax); or kim.dennison@borshoff.biz (e-mail).

Sign the Petition

February is about Self Advocacy. I cannot think of a better example of the power of Self Advocacy than the beautiful story of Sara Wolff in Pennsylvania. Sara recently created a petition on Change.org to ask for congress to pass the ABLE Act. On February 5^th, while on a conference call regarding public policy, the petition was discussed. At that time, the goal was to get to 7,000 signatures. When I logged on to the petition the following Monday morning, just 5 days later, the number of supporters was over 178,000!!!! Please add your voice to this important cause. Please sign Sara’s petition. Please show congress that it is time to pass the ABLE Act. Please show congress that America cares about people with a disability and believes in their right to save for their future just like every other American family. Make your voice heard. Sign the petition today.
 

Click here to sign the petition.

Background Information
 

The ABLE Act currently has 326 co-sponsors in the House of Representatives and 62 co-sponsors in the Senate. The ABLE Act, when enacted into law, will give people with Down syndrome and their families the ability to save for the future just like every other American family. Currently, barriers to employment, independent living, and ultimately, economic self-sufficiency, exist because individuals with Down syndrome and other disabilities must rely on services like Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) proved, however, to qualify for these services individuals with Down syndrome may not have more than $2,000 in assets, and earn no more than $674 in a monthly income.
 

The ABLE Act will eliminate barriers to work and saving by preventing dollars saved through ABLE accounts from counting against an individual’s eligibility for any federal benefits program. The legislation also contains Medicaid fraud protection against abuse and Medicaid pay-back provision when the beneficiary passes away. The ABLE Act has been endorsed by over 50 national disability, religious, and nonprofit organizations. By cosponsoring and passing the ABLE Act, you will give more individuals with a disability and their families the ability to save for their child’s future just like every other American family!
 

Dedicated to enhancing the lives of individuals with Down syndrome,

 

Lisa Wells, Executive Director