Announcing our New Theme: "The World is Ours"
At our 31st Conference on March 28, we will introduce the MDSC's theme for 2015, "The World Is Ours." Throughout the year we will celebrate this theme as it relates to the true acceptance and inclusion of individuals with Down syndrome. Here in Massachusetts, because of the work of all of you, our loved ones with Down syndrome no longer have to live hidden away in the shadows. "The World is Ours" means that people with Down syndrome are taking ownership over all aspects of their lives - education, health care, employment, public policy and recreation.
Leading up to the conference, be sure to send us your #WorldIsOursDS photos of your loved one with Down syndrome to bring our theme to life. Post to our Facebook page or email to [email protected]. Include your loved one's name, age and hometown and a sentence about your photo.
The Laws Are On the Books... Now What?
Three major pieces of legislation - the ABLE Act on the federal level, and the National Background Check and Real Lives bills on the state level - have passed. So what's next? Some would say that now the hard part - implementation - begins. The MDSC will be on the front lines, working with the respective Administrations to ensure that what's between the lines of the laws is interpreted with the spirit of the bills and the best interest of our community in mind.
At our 31st Annual "World Is Ours Conference" on March 28, the MDSC will present a session to answer all your questions about what these laws will mean on the ground: "What the ABLE Act, Real Lives, and NBC Bills will mean to you... and how advocacy can make a real difference!" In this session, we will discuss the nuts and bolts of what these important bills say, how they get implemented and how you might be able to take advantage of the new provisions. We will also briefly consider the progress our community has made in the realm of public policy over the years and how critical disability advocacy is to providing opportunity and even changing public attitudes about people with Down syndrome and other disabilities. Look for our emails or stay tuned to our Facebook page for when registration opens at the end of this month.
Also, don't miss our 2nd Annual Down Syndrome Advocacy Day at the State House in early May - the date will be announced soon. Last year, the event was focused on how to pass our priority bills; this year we will bring together advocates like yourselves and State House leaders to advocate for our new legislative platform that we are in the process of developing.
Support Group Leader Retreat Becomes Annual Event
For the second year, the MDSC will bring together more than two dozen leaders in 
the Down syndrome community from across the state for our 2nd Annual Support Group Leader Retreat. On Feb. 6 and 7 at the Burlington Marriott, Sarah Cullen and I will lead the group to share their experiences and expertise and strategize about ways to strengthen the Down syndrome support groups across the state. MDSC Management Team members will join as well to update leaders on all aspects of the MDSC's work.
Last year's retreat served as a launching point to more closely collaborate with each leader and group to best meet the needs of families across the state. The commitment of these leaders and groups to working with the MDSC and the Down syndrome community across Massachusetts is unparalleled, and we are thrilled about the prospect of generating even more ideas that help us achieve our common goals. See all the Support Groups we support here.
Employment Campaign
In 2015, the MDSC will launch its major public awareness campaign to open the eyes of employers to the power of people with Down syndrome in the workplace. The project includes a web-based campaign or "microsite" focused on employment, a topic that promises to have a significant impact on achieving our mission of ensuring that individuals with Down syndrome in Massachusetts are valued, included and given opportunities to pursue fulfilling lives.
As part of the campaign, we need your Employment Success Stories to show the world everything that people with Down syndrome are capable of in the work force. Tell us about the most inspiring aspects of your (or your loved one's) job.
- What do you do?
- How did you get it?
- How are you treated?
- What obstacles have you overcome?
- How have you and your employer benefited?
Please send your story to YourNextStar@mdsc.org. We will use a select few for the new microsite that is being developed in the coming months. If your story is chosen, we may want to conduct on-camera follow up interviews with you and your employer at your work. Thank you for help with this important project!
Programming Geared for Adults with Down Syndrome
From our membership survey last year, we found a gap in social programs for our self-advocate members after they leave high school. That's why we made a concerted effort to expand social programs and opportunities for adults with Down syndrome. That work continues this year.
Our Self-Advocate Advisory Council (SAAC), which advises the MDSC on ways to support self-advocate adults, is expanding. The SAAC is seeking one or two self-advocates, ages 21 or older, to join our team and learn leadership and self-advocacy skills. Council members participate in and plan quarterly socials and educational workshops for adults with Down syndrome. See an application here.
On Saturday, Feb. 21, the SAAC will hold a "We've Got the Runway; You Bring the Style" Fashion Show & Party at Bentley University. The SAAC is hosting the fashion show with friends in the Best Buddies Program at Bentley University for self advocates age 21 and up. Participants are encouraged to show off their style and what makes them unique.
This winter, one self-advocate will the have the opportunity to serve as the MDSC's Allen C. Crocker Intern. The internship will give a self-advocate, age 22 or older, the chance to work in our Burlington office on a project of their choosing for a period of 3 to 5 months. The Crocker Intern will gain valuable work experience, develop leadership skills, and earn money. Apply here before Jan. 30 deadline.
This spring, the MDSC will hold its first ever conference organized specifically for adults with Down syndrome ages 21 and up and their families. Stay tuned for a Save the Date and more information.
For more information about these opportunities please contact us at [email protected].
First Call Program Opportunities
As you know, our Parents First Call Program provides families with one-on-one support, information and resources at a critical and tender time.
First Call also includes many other activities to support families year round. New families can get support from the MDSC in a range of ways to meet their needs: quarterly New Family Socials, a support group for families of children with complex needs, social for prenatal families and gatherings for families of diverse backgrounds.
We also have two affiliate programs: Dads Appreciating Down Syndrome (DADS) and the Down Syndrome Autism Connection (DSAC) that host a variety of activities for families.
To participate in any of the First Call Program activities contact us at [email protected].
Educational Supports for Families of Students with Down Syndrome
The MDSC launched a series of educational initiative
s that has helped dozens of Massachusetts families work more closely and collaboratively with their child's teachers and school administrators for the benefit of their child. We have introduced IEP workshops in different regions of the state, a collaborative 6-part early education workshop with the Learning Program and quarterly webinars on a variety of education related topics. (Watch the series on YouTube). In the fall, we published our long-awaited resource guide for elementary educators. The guide, titled "Meaningful Inclusion for Students with Down Syndrome," is now available for purchase. Please help us to continue developing valuable educational programming for our members by taking this survey on how we can best support the parents of school-age children.
Strategic Plan to Map out MDSC's Next 5 Years
We are excited to share that the MDSC Board of Directors will be working to chart our course for the next 5 years by developing a new strategic plan. We achieved all our goals for our previous strategic plan and now it's time to vision some new and exciting goals for the future. Your thoughtful feedback to our membership survey last year (see the results here) will guide us as we go through this process.
The heart and soul of the MDSC continues to be doing whatever it takes to serve our existing members while connecting as early as possible with new members to provide critical support. Our Parents First Call and AIM programs continue to be the bedrock of the MDSC, but as you can see in this report, there is so much more going on at the MDSC. We appreciate your role in helping us build a bright future for the MDSC and the Down syndrome community in Massachusetts.
