National Down Syndrome Society

By Kieraabrahamson

  • Beginning

    Beginning
    The National Down Syndrome Society openedb inn 1979. It first began when Bartsy and Betsy Goodwin gave birth to there daughter Carson, and discovered she had Down Syndrome.

  • Baseball Themed Advertisment

    The NDSS lauched its first awareness campaign with a baseball themed public service advertisement titled,"Give these kids a chance at bat," which starred in many magzines including the Time magazine

  • Down Syndrome Awareness

    Down Syndrome Awareness
    The NDSS worked together to have October be proclaimed as "Down Syndrome Awareness Month." This is still celebrated today and will continue to be celebrated.

  • Project Mainstream

    NDSS launched Project Mainstream, which Honeywell funded. This is an event where twelve students with Down Syndrome were selcted from 4 differetn school districts to spend part of there day in a regular classroom.

  • News and Views

    News and Views
    The National Down Syndrome Society launched a magazine written for and by people with Down Syndrome. Chris Burke, Actor and Self-Advocate, was named the editor of the magazine and named the NDSS Goodwill Ambassdor.

  • Buddy Walk

    Buddy Walk
    The Buddy Walk was pronounced in 1995 and was a major breakthrough for acceptance and inclusion with Down Syndrome people. There were 17 walks in 1995 and over 250 today.

  • Advocacy

    Advocacy
    The NDSS hosted a three day advocacy meeting in Washington, DC with a theme of Voices for Change: Advocacy for the 21st century. Tehy meet with Congressional Representatives and attended training sessions and leadership sessions.

  • National Policy Center

    The National Down Syndrome Society esatblished its National Policy Center in Washington, DC to work with members of the Congress and federal agencies to develop and improve there laws. They wanted to educate parents and they also wanted to lead a comprehensive national advocacy program for Down Syndrome

  • Law of the Land

    The NDSS number one legislative priority became the law of the land. The Achieving a Better Life Experience Act was passed in Congress and the president signed the law on December 19, 2014. This act will hellp people with Down Syndrome live full, productive lives in their communites without losing benefits.

  • Everyone Counts

    They launched the Evryone Counts:Teaching Acceptance and Inclusion in all elementary schools from K-6. They encouraged this becuase it teaches kids postice relationships between students with disabilites and students without them.