MAKE A DIFFERENCE EVEN IF YOU DIDN'T MAKE IT TO THE STATE HOUSE

Right now, on Beacon Hill, hundreds of advocates for people with Down syndrome are celebrating Champions in the Legislature and in our community, while pushing for critical policies.

Even if you couldn't make it to the State House, we still want you to have a voice today. That's why we want you to be able to support the MDSC Down Syndrome Advocacy Day wherever you are.

As our advocates walk the halls of the State House today they need your support! So Take Action now to support laws and funding that allow all people with Down syndrome to have opportunities to lead meaningful and fulfilling lives.

Here's what you can do:

Get the contact information for your State Representative and State Senator
Click these links to open an email to your Senator and one to your Representative asking them to support our legislative priorities.
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Sign your email with your name and address

Other ways to support:

If you're on Facebook, share this post with your friends and family

I am supporting the MDSC's Down Syndrome Advocacy Day today and I hope you will too! Hundreds of advocates are walking the halls of the State House in Boston right now so that all people with Down syndrome have the opportunity for meaningful, fulfilling lives. Please share this post if you support them. #passtheNBCbill.

If you're on Twitter, share this tweet:

Hundreds are walking MA State House halls for MDSC Down Syndrome Advocacy Day today. Share this to support and #passtheABLEact

Download our #passtheNBCbill advocacy button and make it your social networking profile pick or use Twibbon to add our button to your existing profile pic.

Our Top Legislative Priority!

Over the last year, the MDSC has taken the reins to push for the National Background Check Bill, which would close a gaping loophole that puts our loved ones at risk.

Just last week, it jumped a huge hurdle when it was passed favorably out our Judiciary Committee. The timing of our Advocacy Day is perfect, giving us the chance to really push our priority bill over the finish line. But time in the legislative session is running out.

Read our Fact Sheet here. And remember to let your friends and followers on Twitter know to #passtheNBCbill.

Speaker DeLeo Named "Champion of the Year"

Speaker of the House Robert DeLeo has been a champion of disability rights and services since his election to the State House in 1991 representing Winthrop and parts of Revere. In 2005, he became Chairman of the Ways & Means Committee, which overseas budgetary issues for the House of Representatives, and in 2009, he became Speaker of the House.

Even while rising through the ranks, Speaker DeLeo has continued to be a staunch supporter of disability services, meeting with advocates, taking seriously their circumstances and acting to ensure their well-being. His budgetary support includes his backing of line-item funding for the MDSC. He has also worked tirelessly to promote positive disability policy, including his support of the MDSC's landmark Prenatal Testing Bill that passed in 2012.

Because of his longstanding and steadfast support of the Down syndrome community with forward thinking policy and critical funding, we are proud to present Speaker DeLeo with the MDSC's first "Legislative Champion of the Year Award."

Thank you for making a difference today!

Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress
781-221-0024
mdsc@mdsc.org
http://www.mdsc.org

For the past three decades, the MDSC has worked to ensure that all individuals in Massachusetts with Down syndrome are valued, included, and given every opportunity to pursue fulfilling lives. The MDSC offers a broad array of programs to serve people with Down syndrome and their families.