One of our favorite shows – so sorry to see it go…
https://www.disabilityscoop.com/…/after-4-seasons-ae…/27059/
Yay – finally employers will no longer be issued certificates to pay people with disabilities less than minimum wage!
https://www.disabilityscoop.com/…/house-votes-to-end…/26924/
Another reason to shop at Target instead of Amazon on Prime Day!
https://kidsactivitiesblog.com/…/target-releasing-hallowee…/
So sad that we still see such high termination rates of pregnancies diagnosed with DS. This beautiful story touched my heart, as I hope it will yours. “She’s given us a purpose and a joy that is impossible to express. She’s given us bigger smiles, more laughter and sweeter kisses than we’ve ever known. She’s opened our eyes to true beauty and pure love.”
https://www1.cbn.com/…/im-just-really-sad-mother-confronts-…

Having made statewide advocacy a hallmark in recent years, the MDSC has quickly established itself as a leader in disability policy. Already, we have helped move a number of pieces of legislation that are changing lives for the better- the Down Syndrome Information Act, Real Lives Bill, National Background Check Bill, and the most recently passed Organ Transplant Bill.
Connecting with legislators, and sharing our personal stories and challenges has been a major reason for our string of legislative successes. One of the most effective vehicles for doing this has been through our annual Down Syndrome Advocacy Day at the State House.
Each year, hundreds of members of the Down syndrome community gather at the State House for a lunchtime reception and speeches. After the formal ceremonies, advocates fan out throughout the building to meet with their legislators to tell their personal stories and lobby for Down syndrome priorities.
REGISTER NOW FOR
JUNE 6 ADVOCACY DAY
“Without your active participation and advocacy, the MDSC would never have been as successful as we have been,” says MDSC Executive Director Maureen Gallagher. “With your help, the MDSC has become a strong voice for individuals with Down syndrome and their families.”
Please join us and consider bringing any loved ones with Down syndrome, including children. Our Down Syndrome Advocacy Day not only provides a real world civics lesson, but for a few hours’ effort can result in real change for people with Down syndrome.
To view our current Statewide Legislative Platform, click here.
Hosted by Special Education Conference and School Fair
2017 SPAN Special Education Conference and School & 7th Annual School Fair
Thursday, March 23 | 8:30 am – 2:30 pm
Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel, 181 Boston Post Road, Marlborough, MA 01752
Matthew J. Deninger will discuss the upcoming Supreme Court case considering FAPE,the re-authorization of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), formerly known as No Child Left Behind (NCLB)
Afternoon panel: A specialist panel on “What’s Next for Special Education in Massachusetts?” features respected State Representative Alice Peisch, attorneys Eileen Hagerty of Kotin, Crabtree and Strong, Julia Landau, Esq., of the Massachusetts Advocates for Children, and Richard Robison of the Federation for Children with Special Needs. The panel will discuss the upcoming Supreme Court case on what constitutes FAPE, special education legislative changes in Massachusetts, and advocacy projects to influence Massachusetts special education law and policy.Free IEP Clinics: Discuss your specific situation and IEP concerns with an experienced Special Education Advocate/Parent Consultant.The Forum: Representatives from a wide range of Special Education Schools will present information regarding student profiles, program services, admission requirements and placement options to professionals within the special education field. View our list of attending schools.Also Exhibiting: A select list of Special Education Resource vendors and service providers.Who Will Attend: Parents, Special Education Advocates, Special Education Administrators, Special Education Attorneys, Out of District Coordinators, Therapeutic Service Providers, Therapeutic or Clinical Evaluators, Related Service Providers.
We look forward to seeing you soon!
From LPB, “A great day today at the MA State House advocating for people with Down syndrome. Of importance to us – Bill S2157/H4040 to ensure continuation and increased funding for Inclusive Concurrent Enrollment initiative so students with IDD can continue to have inclusive higher education opportunities at MA colleges and universities.”
For more coverage on the MDSC’s Annual Advocacy Day, visit https://www.facebook.com/massdscongress/
P.C.: flickr
Join us on Wednesday, May 18 at the MA State House where we will be advocating for two bills together with the MDSC to ensure that all people with Down syndrome have opportunities to lead meaningful fulfilling lives in the community. This free event includes lunch and everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend – please register at the link below. The two bills concern non-discrimation in access to organ transplants (people with DS are at the bottom of the list) and inclusive higher education for people with IDD to attend state college with their non-disabled peers.
Wings for Autism
Saturday, April 9th | Boston Logan Airport, Terminal E
A free event
Registration is required. Click here to register.
Travel is stressful in general but can be particularly difficult for families who have a child with special needs. Wings for Autism events are a “test run” through the airport boarding process–specifically designed for families who have a child with an autism spectrum disorder.
Families are able to practice:
• Entering the airport
• The check-in process and checking bags
• Security screening
• Boarding the plane
• Preparing for take-off
• Exiting the plane
Children and their families gain real life, air travel experience–sometimes finding that more practice is necessary but often discovering that air travel is indeed possible!
Check-in and boarding times begin at 9 am and will be held throughout the morning. Specific times will be assigned closer to the date of the event. Questions? Please contact: [email protected]
Wings for Autism was created by the Charles River Center, a chapter of The Arc located in Needham, MA, in collaboration with the Mass Port Authority and TSA. This is the 11th Wings event at Logan Airport. Since 2011, thousands of families have participated, and Wings events are now taking place in 22 cities across the country.