February 2013 |
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When Bill Met Shelley
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Happy Valentine's Day to all of our members and friends! We can't think of a  better love story to share than the one we read earlier this week in the Washington Post. When Bill met Shelley...it was love at first sight. Read the story, watch the videos.
We love this quote that so reinforces the message that people with Down syndrome are More Alike Than Different: "There is a bias in our society that is unfounded - that just because you have Asperger's syndrome or you have Down syndrome that you automatically cannot sustain a relationship. But that's just not true," says Philip Davidson, a professor of pediatrics at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry who has studied developmental disabilities. "These people are really not all that different than you and me. Their investment in the lives of other people are as significant as yours and mine."
Visit our Facebook page today and post a picture of your Valentine!
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Love is in the Air...
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In just two short weeks, registration will open for the 41st annual NDSC Convention. This year, we are "Taking Our Convention a Mile High" in beautiful Denver, CO, July 19th-21st. We can't say enough good things about the site this year. Between the Colorado Convention Center, the Hyatt Hotel, and all of the fun things to do and places to go within walking distance, we know our families are going to LOVE it!
For those of us experienced in attending NDSC conventions, we know what an awesome weekend it is. We also know that we need hundreds of volunteers to make the weekend a success. Do you have friends or family in the Denver area who would LOVE to volunteer? You can now direct them to the Volunteer page on our website, where they can learn more about volunteer roles, and even register to volunteer online. (Parents, this is not for you. YOU need to be taking part in the convention as an attendee, to listen and learn, and meet lots of people!)
Be sure to check out the awesome volunteer training presentation on our website, too, featuring two of our amazing self advocate board members, Heather Hancock and Tony Piontek. You are going to LOVE it!
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Self Advocates and Technology in the Workplace
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Here's a Valentine for you to share with your friends: a wonderful video created at our convention last summer! Watch these terrific self advocates share their stories about their jobs, and how they use technology in the workplace. It's an inspiring look at employment possibilities that some may not have considered before. Take a look and pass along to your friends and the professionals in your life who might need to have their eyes opened a bit.
 | | Kumin-Lazar-NDSC-Conference-Session: Employment of Adults with Down Syndrome Panel |
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| World Down Syndrome Day at the United Nations
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Down Syndrome International is delighted to announce that the World Down Syndrome Day Conference will once again take place on March 21, 2013 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
This year's WDSD Conference is entitled: "Right To Work". The focus will be the right of persons with Down syndrome to work in open, inclusive and accessible environments. It will highlight the importance of early development and education, proper medical care, and support for employment, independent living and community participation.
There will be presentations from people with Down syndrome, disability organizations, employers, service providers and others from around the world including North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia.
Visit the DS International website often for more details about the conference, as well as other events taking place worldwide.
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HealthMeet Webinars
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 NDSC is a partner with The Arc of the United States in their HealthMeet™ program. Not only can you register to take part in informative webinars as they happen, you can also go back and listen to webinars in the archive. Visit the website for complete information.
One you may find particularly helpful is Barriers to Physical Activity in Individuals with ID: Dr. James Rimmer, Director of the Lakeshore Foundation/University of Alabama at Birmingham Research Collaborative speaks on the different barriers and improvements in physical activity in individuals with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities (IDD). He has been developing and overseeing physical activity programs for people with disabilities for over thirty years. Many studies have found that being overweight is highly prevalent in adults with IDD. He explores factors that play a role in reduced physical activity and discuss lifestyle choices and organizational change to improve the health of people with IDD.
(HealthMeet™ is a project of The Arc, funded by a cooperative agreement with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities. HealthMeet™ will provide training and education for individuals, their families, direct service professionals, medical providers, and medical students and will raise public awareness of health issues that impact people with intellectual disabilities across the country.)
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And Another Thing or Two...
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