The Next 5 Years for the Down Syndrome Community in Mass. 
   

During the latter part of last year, the MDSC Board of Directors worked tirelessly to develop a new Strategic Plan for our organization. 

Because of their efforts, the MDSC now has a solid blueprint for how we will grow over the next 5 years to meet the ever-changing needs of the Down syndrome community in Massachusetts. 

Because of your support, we  achieved all our goals for our previous strategic plan, and now we're thrilled to embark on  new and exciting  goals for the future. 

Here are our working directives for 2016 to 2020: 

1) RESOURCES, PROGRAMS & ADVOCACY Design and build a program and services model that positions the MDSC as the pivotal organizational resource supporting, in an active lifetime partnership, individuals with Down syndrome, their families, and their support network.

2) BUILDING COMMUNITY Ensure that programs and services foster and sustain a sense of community and belonging among individuals with Down syndrome, their families, and their support networks. Ensure further that such programs and services are effectively supported, are complemented by new initiatives, and are made available on a broad basis across the Commonwealth.

3) BUILDING CAPACITY Ensure that MDSC has a sustainable financial foundation and the means to support meaningful program and service expansion.

It should be noted that your thoughtful feedback to our 2014 membership survey - see the results here - was an invaluable guide as we went through the process. Of course, t he 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. We appreciate your role in helping us build a bright future for the MDSC and the Down syndrome community in Massachusetts. 

See our 2016 to 2020 Strategic Plan in its entirety here. 

National background checks slated to begin

Following two recent public hearings on proposed regulations for the National Background Check Bill, the state's Department of Developmental Services has cleared the way to begin conducting national background checks early this year. The passage of the law in 2014, after a decade of advocacy, was spearheaded by an MDSC-led coalition. 

Special thanks to Commissioner Elin Howe and Deputy Assistant Commissioner Victor Hernandez for their timely implementation. The federal checks will give added protection for our loved ones with Down syndrome or other intellectual or developmental disabilities. The proposed regulations set forth standardized policies and procedures for DDS to conduct national fingerprint-based background checks for current and prospective employees of DDS and DDS-contracted vendor programs licensed, funded, or approved by DDS, or other persons required to undergo such checks.

 

3rd Annual Advocacy Day to Tackle Priority State Bills

The MDSC has established itself in recent years as a major player in state disability policy, leading the charge or lending a critical hand to pass key legislation - the Prenatal Testing Bill, Real Lives Bill and National Background Check Bill.  Our newly established Advocacy Day has been central to bringing our priority bills to the attention of State House leaders and garnering their support. 

This year, at our 3rd Annual Advocacy Day on May 18, we need your help to raise awareness with your legislators about  our two new priority bills as well as critical funding needs. Please Save the Date and plan to join us to make a difference for our new priority bills, other bills on our platform and other disability line items on our legislative platform. 

The MDSC was busy on Beacon Hill last fall testifying on behalf of both of the priority bills on our State Legislative Platform for the 189th session (2015-2016) of the Massachusetts General Court.

We testified along with our bill sponsor, Representative James Cantwell, at the State House for bill H. 3271, An Act Concerning Nondiscrimination in Organ Transplantation. The bill is intended to prevent discrimination against anyone with an intellectual or developmental disability in need of an organ transplant. 

MDSC also testified for our other priority bill, H.1064/S. 672 - An Act Creating Higher Education Opportunities for Students with Intellectual Disabilities, Autism Spectrum Disorders, and other Developmental Disabilities. This legislation addresses some of the major findings and recommendations of the Joint Task Force on Higher Education for Students with intellectual disabilities and ASD. Sponsored by Rep. Tom Sannicandro and Sen. Barbara L'Italien, the bill would bolster Massachusetts' Inclusive Concurrent Enrollment Initiative (ICEI) to give 18-to 22-year-old students with disabilities higher education opportunities in an inclusive college setting with necessary services and supports. 

Our overall platform, developed in consultation with our Government Affairs Committee, includes wide-ranging policy items critical to providing support for people with Down syndrome in Massachusetts and will pay lifelong dividends.

Buddy Walk on Washington

For the 7th consecutive year, the MDSC will send a delegation of advocates to Washington D.C. to lobby for progressive disability public policy at the NDSS Buddy Walk on Washington. MDSC representatives from our community will once again fan out across Capitol Hill to personally meet with the Bay State's 11 congressional leaders and advocate for key policies to enhance the lives of people with Down syndrome.

While there, our team of advocates will send a strong message of advocacy from the Down syndrome community about important national policy priorities. We are tasked with establishing and building relationships with policy makers, connecting with other Down syndrome advocates from around the country, and educating elected officials about the strengths and needs of their constituents with Down syndrome.

Implementation of the landmark ABLE Act remains a top national priority. Last fall, the MDSC submitted comments to the federal government advocating for provisions to enhance the flexibility of ABLE accounts for self-advocates and their families. Soon after,  the IRS issued interim guidance that will make it easier for state administrators to establish and administer ABLE programs in an expedient and efficient manner. 

Whether you are interested in joining our Buddy walk on Washington in April or would like to join our statewide advocacy efforts, we welcome your participation regardless of your past experience. Contact us at [email protected].

... and We Need Your Help! 

Launched in October, our Your Next Star Employment Campaign - www.yournextstar.com - is already making a difference in opening the eyes of employers to the power of people with Down syndrome in the workplace, and we continue to hear universally positive feedback. 

The campaign was featured at a kickoff event at the TD Garden, the Work Without Limits Annual Conference, our 11th Annual Educators Forum, and in a number of news articles.  Our videos have been viewed close to 5,000 times and our website visited 4,500 times. Pages on our site have been shared hundreds of times on social media. 

Now, our Your Next Star campaign is entering a new and exciting phase that promises to not only keep up the momentum but will take it to the next level. This entails  grassroots outreach to community and business groups,  refreshing content, including blog posts,  setting up speaking engagements for self advocates to share success stories,  social media and traditional media push and  targeted advertising and grant opportunities. 

Every year for the past several years, the MDSC has chosen a theme that represents where our Down syndrome community is, and where we're going. Last year it was "The World Is Ours." In 2014, it was "Champions." And in 2013 "Real Lives." 

Now, for 2016, we are proud to announce our new theme - "BELIEVE"!!! The concept of believing relates to virtually everything we do, and on March 19, we will officially unveil Believe to our community 

We BELIEVE that people with Down syndrome should be allowed to pursue meaningful lives in their communities. We BELIEVE that all aspects of society should accept and include individuals with Down syndrome fully. We BELIEVE that new and expectant parents should have access to the latest, most accurate information about having and raising a child with Down syndrome. We BELIEVE that people with Down syndrome should not be defined by their disabilities, but rather should be celebrated for their abilities. 

We BELIEVE that people with Down syndrome deserve every opportunity for an education that truly meets their needs, a good job that allows them to earn money, quality health care that doesn't discriminate and a fulfilling social life. Ultimately, we BELIEVE that each person with Down syndrome should be honored as the individual he or she is and for the immeasurable value they bring to the world. 

We BELIEVE in the future of all people with Down syndrome and pledge to do everything in our power to ensure that they have the opportunities they so richly deserve.  

Including New Employer of the Year Award

Each year the MDSC honors persons who have celebrated the rich accomplishments of people with Down syndrome. In 2016, in the wake of the launch of new Your Next Star Employment Campaign, our board has approved an additional "Employer of the Year" Award. All awards are presented at the MDSC Annual Conference, this year on Saturday, March 19.

Employer Award

Presented to an individual or company who is an exemplary employer in creating a welcoming, inclusive work environment for individuals with Down syndrome and/or other disabilities. Employers of the Year recognize the inherent value that people with Down syndrome can bring to the workforce and act as role models for other employers to emulate. They are open-minded, humane and show a desire to think outside the box to create a positive collaborative working relationship with their employee(s) with disabilities, which is beneficial for both parties.   Submit nomination

Media Award

Presented to a person or company who exemplifies the MDSC's mission to disseminate up-to-date information about Down syndrome. Submit nomination

Outstanding Educator Award

Presented to an educator in Massachusetts who has significantly contributed to ensuring that students with Down syndrome are given every opportunity to maximize their full potential.  Submit nomination

Allen C. Crocker Award of Excellence

The highest award offered by the MDSC to the person who most advances the Down syndrome movement. The Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress established the Allen C. Crocker Award of Excellence in recognition of Dr. Crocker's many years of nurturing individuals with Down syndrome and their families throughout their life's journey.  Submit nomination

Go here for more information about each of these opportunities to become involved in a meaningful way to drive our mission and promote the acceptance and inclusion of all individuals with Down syndrome in Massachusetts and beyond. 

Other Ways to Be an Active MDSCer