May 11 might seem like a long way off, but really, it's never to soon to start thinking about honoring your Mother, right? We have a couple of gift ideas that we know she'll love, and the NDSC will benefit. It's a total win-win!

You might remember the necklaces from Kendra Scott Designs, inspired by a creative self advocate in Texas, Isabelle:
http://www.kendrascott.com/explore/kendra-gives-back/issie-hearts

Or, if flowers are on your mind for Mom this year, we appreciate it when you order through Flower Petal at this link: http://ndsccenter.flowerpetal.com/

Thank you for considering these options!

The Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on The Constitution, Civil Rights and Human Rights, chaired by Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), will hold a hearing entitled "Law Enforcement Responses to Disabled Americans: Promising Approaches for Protecting Public Safety" on Tuesday, April 29th at 10:00 AM. This hearing is open to the public, and we encourage those in the DC area to attend.

Since Ethan Saylor's death, Mrs. Saylor has advocated for changes to police

Emma & Ethan Saylor

training and other policies to avoid similar tragedies in the future. Patti believes "that this hearing will help save the lives of individuals with intellectual and development disabilities in the future." She says, "I look forward to sharing Ethan's story and ensuring his legacy lives on for others with Down syndrome and other disabilities."

If you are unable to attend the hearing, but would like to submit a statement, Chairman Durbin invites advocates and stakeholders to offer their perspectives and experiences on these issues by submitting written testimony to be included in the hearing record. These statements help educate Committee members about this issue and are important to demonstrating community interest. (Statements must be submitted as a PDF or Word Document of 10 pages or less, and should be emailed to Durbin_Testimony@Judiciary-dem.Senate.gov as early as possible, but no later than Monday, April 28, 2014 at 5:00 p.m.)

In an ever-changing political landscape for people with disabilities and disability rights, it is as important as ever for doctors and other healthcare professionals to be aware of how people with disabilities and those closest to them interpret disability. For this reason, NDSC members are invited to participate in a research survey that will be used to help healthcare providers understand how people think about disability.

Matthew Hall is a genetic counseling student at California State University, Stanislaus, and hopes this research will inform and improve the way genetic counselors speak with their patients, and help healthcare providers communicate more effectively with patients and families. Your opinion will make a difference! Please take the time to participate in his survey:
http://csustan.co1.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_8raf8lKh8yEf03j

(Everyone who completes the survey will have the option of entering to win one of four $50 amazon.com gift cards.)