Please join us at the MDSC’s 33rd Annual Conference
Saturday, March 25, 2017 | 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
DCU Center, Worcester, MA #CountMeIn
Each spring, hundreds of people with Down syndrome, their family members, health care professionals and educators from across New England attend our Annual Conference. Participants gather to hear the latest research findings and important information from national and local experts on a range of topics related to Down syndrome. They also share stories, celebrate victories, advocate for acceptance and inclusion, and reunite with other MDSC families.
Our conference is for parents, educators, self advocates, brothers and sisters, other family members, and professionals.
COUNT ME IN THEME FOR 2017
Our community includes individuals with the full spectrum of interests and abilities, people of all different cultures and backgrounds, individuals with unique viewpoints and personalities. What ties us together? Ultimately, all people with Down syndrome and their families want to be COUNTED and deserve to be INCLUDED.
in 2017, we are excited to celebrate the possibilities and potential of all people with Down syndrome. Join us as we bring out Count Me In theme to life. REGISTER @ www.mdsc.kintera.org/
We are collecting photos for our Count Me In video collage. Email your photo (and your ‘Count Me In’ stories, if you have them)
to [email protected]
At our Annual Conference, we present awards for Employer of the Year, Media member of the Year, Educator of the Year and present the Crocker Award of Excellence. And our Awards Luncheon will feature the incredible achievements of the self advocates in our community, including:
**Collete Divitto, Owner, Collettey’s Cookies, Featured on CBS Nightly News
**Graham Campbell, Pianist
**Sindrome Down Folklore Latino Dance Troop and Good Morning America
If you attend our Annual Conference, you can choose among several tracks:
General Session Workshops – Parents, family member and professionals will learn from expert speakers about how to help individuals with Down syndrome acquire the necessary skills to lead fuller, healthier, more independent lives.
Self-Advocate Workshops – Young adults with Down syndrome will have an opportunity to network and share experiences, strengthen their self-advocacy skills, and learn about the importance of leading a healthy life and building meaningful relationships.
Brothers and Sisters Workshops – Siblings of people with Down syndrome will hear how other brothers and sisters deal with the joys and challenges inherent in being a sibling. Creates a forum for sharing stories and learning the importance of advocacy.
Education Workshops – Educators and parents will learn best practices for educating students with Down syndrome in an inclusive classroom, as well as the benefits of inclusion for all learners.