News for Members and Friends
December 17, 2014
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World Down Syndrome Day 2015...
...is just around the corner: March 21st. Since that will be here in the blink of an eye, we'd like you to start thinking now of ways you can take part in Random Acts of Kindness on this day, or the days leading up to it.
What do we mean by "Random Acts of Kindness"? In collaboration with five other national Down syndrome organizations in the United States (Down Syndrome Affiliates in Action, Global Down Syndrome Foundation, International Down Syndrome Coalition, International Mosaic Down Syndrome Association, National Down Syndrome Society), we have created a toolkit for WDSD 2015 that you can use to share information about Down syndrome with your community, celebrate people with Down syndrome, and spread a little love and kindness in the name of Down syndrome!
It's as easy as 1-2-3-4! - On March 21st, wear a t-shirt that says something about Down syndrome. (Your NDSC Convention t-shirt is a great option!)
- Choose an act of kindness, like placing a book in a hospital waiting room, or taping a package of popcorn to a Redbox machine. (We have a list of suggestions to help get you started!)
- Print a WDSD postcard (like the one above) and give it out or place it with your Random Act.
- Take pictures of the random act and post on your social media pages with the hashtag #WDSD15.
We'll have people on the receiving end of our kindness, and the whole world watching on Facebook and Twitter. This could be a day to really make an impact all across the country!
More suggestions and materials will be coming in January. Get ready for the biggest World Down Syndrome Day yet!
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Our Convention is June 25 - 28, 2015!
 Workshop SpeakersWe are continuing to accept workshop proposals for our convention in Phoenix. The deadline for submission is January 2, 2015, so if you haven't submitted yours yet, please don't delay! Our Convention Programming Committee looks for knowledgeable, family friendly speakers to present 1.5 hour workshops on topics related to Down syndrome. Presentations in Spanish are welcome. Workshops are presented Friday, June 26, Saturday, June 27 and Sunday, June 28. Presentations should be interactive, hands-on and range the lifespan of individuals with DS. Workshop speakers who are selected will be responsible for securing their own travel and hotel arrangements at their own expense. Honoraria or speaker fees are not available. This policy has allowed the NDSC to keep registration fees affordable and make the convention accessible to all. Submit your proposal online at this link. Award NominationsEach year, the NDSC is proud to present awards to people and organizations  making positive contributions to the Down syndrome community. We look forward to our awards presentation every year and can't wait for this year in Phoenix! Nominations may be submitted by anyone who wishes to direct the attention of the NDSC's board of directors to outstanding achievement. In its selection, the board of directors will not necessarily be restricted to those programs or individuals, but may consider reports of outstanding achievement from other sources, and may, on its own initiative, select an award recipient. Award guidelines: Does the program, publication, individual or organization promote a positive image of people with Down syndrome, accentuating abilities instead of disability? Does it present accurate information? Does it recognize the value of persons with DS? Does it focus on people, not on the condition of Down syndrome? Does it celebrate diversity? Does it use people first language? Does it enhance the dignity of people with DS? Does it avoid stereotyping? For more information, and to submit a nomination, please visit our website. Nominations are due no later than January 30, 2015.
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Help NDSC Be Better in 2015
 Earlier this week, we sent you a link to take a survey about the NDSC's programs and services. Based on the response we've gotten already, we are positive that taking the survey is both quick and painless! Please help us by adding your voice to the mix. Click here to take the survey!
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Postage Stamps
Our Self Advocate Council is pursuing the possibility of creating a custom postage stamp that would be available for purchase at next year's convention. This project, led by former board member Tony Piontek, could be a great way to create Down syndrome awareness!
We would like to invite self advocates to submit their original artwork to the NDSC, so that one can be selected as the design for the stamp. Please send your design or design ideas to:
National Down Syndrome Congress
30 Mansell Court, Suite 108
Roswell, GA 30338
Or by email to info@ndsccenter.org
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Books, books and more books
We had so much great information to share in our print newsletter, Down Syndrome News, that we didn't have space for book reviews. We want to let you know about some really good ones that we've read recently! FOR THE KIDS:
Kaitlyn Wants to See Ducks and I Want to Be Like Poppin' Joe are both awesome books for kids. Written by Jo Meserve Mach and Vera Lynne Stroup-Rentier (with photographs by Mary Birdsell), these self-published books are available on Amazon.com, and are terrific real life stories that families will be able to relate to. When Kaitlyn's family visits the zoo, we get to see so many great photos of animals and her family's interactions -- but Kaitlyn won't be truly happy until she sees the ducks! In Poppin' Joe, Dylan has a role model in Joe, who has a great work ethic and his own Kettle Korn business. You'll love the photos of both Dylan and Joe working -- and the book may help you think of new ways to involve your child in your community. All By Myself, is another self-published book available on Amazon.com, that could be a great asset in the classroom to help peers understand more about Down syndrome, or for new parents and family members who would benefit from seeing all that children with Down syndrome are capable of doing. Written by Shelly Miller, All By Myself uses real life photos to show Shelly's daughter, Rachael, learning new skills, and becoming more and more independent. Animal Fun for Everyone by Marjorie Pitzer is a board book featuring photos of children with Down syndrome, enjoying themselves with a variety of animals. No mention is made of the children having Down syndrome -- they are just "more alike than different"! Perfect for babies and young children, you'll read this book over and over. Available from Woodbine House.
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Before we let you go...
We would be remiss if we didn't remind you that the end of the year is a great time to think about your charitable giving for 2014. We hope you've thought of the National Down Syndrome Congress in your giving this year! If you haven't had a chance to make a donation, we invite you to do so now at this link. We are truly grateful for all of the support we receive from our members. We can't wait to see many of you in person at our annual convention in June in Arizona!
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| Making a difference. One family at a time. |
National Down Syndrome Congress
30 Mansell Court, Suite 108
Roswell, GA 30076
800-232-6372; 770-604-9500
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Fax: 770-604-9898| Email: info@ndsccenter.org | Website: www.ndsccenter.org Copyright © 2014. All Rights Reserved. |
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