ACHIEVING a BETTER LIFE EXPERIENCE [ABLE ACT]

The Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act (H.R. 3423/S.1872) continues to gain support in both the  U.S. House and Senate. Cosponsors have reached 141 in the House and 16 in the Senate. The ABLE Act still needs more cosponsors, and we need your help!

  

On April 25, NDSS joined forces with many other national disability organizations to host National ABLE Act Call-In Day to build additional support for this important legislation. Thank you to all who called their Senators and Representatives and encouraged them to become cosponsors. For those who haven't yet, it's not too late to take action and reach out! 

Please see the lists below to find out if your elected officials have already signed on.

Click here to view the list of Senate cosponsors.

Click here to view the list of House cosponsors.

Here are three ways that you can make a difference right now:

1) Call and/or write your Senators and Representative using the provided templates and ask them to cosponsor the ABLE Act now. If they are already cosponsors, reach out to thank them!

- Click here to view the call-in template.

- Click here to view the email template.

2) Set up a meeting with your Senator and/or Representative during their state/district work period.

- Click here to view the Senate/House's Congressional calendar so you can find out when your members of Congress are back in your state/district.

- Click here for more information and a letter template to set up a district meeting. (If you cannot copy the template from the PDF, click here to visit the ABLE Act section of our website and click "ABLE Act District Meeting Request Template" for a Word version.)

3) Participate in the ABLE Act Webinar co-hosted by NDSS and Dads Appreciating Down Syndrome (D.A.D.S.) National on May 22 at 7:00 PM ET. 

- Click here to register.

NDSS WEBINAR - "How You Can Help Us Pass the ABLE Act Today."

NDSS WEBINAR MAY 22 @ 7 PM ET

"How You Can Help Us Pass the ABLE Act Today."

In May, NDSS will co-host a webinar with Dads Appreciating Down Syndrome (D.A.D.S.) National titled "How You Can Help Us Pass the ABLE Act Today." The webinar will be on Tuesday, May 22 at 7:00 PM ET. The Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act (S. 1872/HR 3423), when passed into law, will provide individuals with Down syndrome and their families the same types of flexible savings tools that all other Americans have through college savings accounts, health savings accounts and individual retirement accounts.

Speakers will include Steve Beck, NDSS Board Member and VP of the Down Syndrome Association of Northern Virginia; Joe Meares, D.A.D.S. National Chair; Sara Hart Weir, NDSS VP of Advocacy and Affiliate Relations and Darin Yoder, D.A.D.S. National - National Public Policy Advisor. The Down syndrome community has a real chance at getting the ABLE Act signed into law this year but we still need your help! Participate in this webinar and learn how you can do your part to pass this bill today.

Click here to register. 

MISSOURI MISS AMAZING PAGEANT!

MISSOURI MISS AMAZING PAGEANT!

Is a non profit organization that began in Nebraska and provides opportunities for girls and young women with disabilities to build confidence and self-esteem in a supportive environment!

Date: Saturday April 14

Where:  Jelkyl Theater Lindenwood University

Cost: 5 cans or boxes of food to donate to charity

For more info:  http://www.missamazingmissouri.com/

STEP UP FOR DOWN SYNDROME 2012!

 Step Up for Down Syndrome is on Sunday, June 3!

Click here to find out how to create a team and request a team packet.  Team packets will arrive at your home next week and will tell you everything you need to know about SUDS 2012.

PARENTING SPECIAL NEEDS!

You can view the March/April issue here
The FREE online magazine serving the Special Needs Community

 The Parenting Special Needs Magazine Team 

DSRTF 2012 ANNUAL NEWSLETTER!

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OUR 2012 NEWSLETTER AND WORLD DS DAY

Dear Friends: We are pleased to announce our annual newsletter, which you can print or read online here.  Inside, you will find a great overview of our work in 2011, and a sneak peek at what’s in store for 2012. We're also excited to be part of history in the making. This year, for the first time ever, the United Nations has recognized March 21 — 3/21, for three copies of the 21st chromosome — as World Down Syndrome Day.  Join us as we celebrate by taking advantage of these three special opportunities on 3/21: Donate to DSRTF on 3/21, and your donation will be matched 3:1, thanks to the generous support of one of our funders.  This is an incredible one-day opportunity to maximize your donation to DSRTF.  Please mark your calendars and give! $15 becomes $60, $25 becomes $100, and every bit counts. You can donate here. In honor of World Down Syndrome Day, DSRTF is hosting a special webinar with Dr. Roger Reeves of Johns Hopkins University.  As you may know, Dr. Reeves is a leading researcher in the area of Down syndrome, having studied it for over 25 years. DSRTF is a proud supporter of Dr. Reeves’ work, and we hope you will join us for this one-hour webinar on Wednesday, March 21 at 10:00 AM PT/1:00 PM ET. Sign up here. What would an increase in cognitive ability mean to you and your loved one with Down syndrome? plus15 is creating a world map with testimonies, photos and videos to show the world, and our legislators, the importance of cognition research in improving the lives of those with DS.  To participate, send your first name, city/state, a video or a photo, and a note that completes the following sentence:  "A 15 percent increase in cognition means that my (son/daughter, etc.) could _____________."  Upload to our Facebook page or send it via e-mail — together we'll put Down syndrome on the map.

DSFC ANNUAL DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY AWARENESS FAIR!

 DSFC ANNUAL DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY AWARENESS FAIR

March 15, 2012
Union City Auditorium
3:30 pm – 6:30 pm

DSFC’s Annual Developmental Disability Awareness Fair has successfully connected persons with developmental disabilities, their family members, caregivers, guardians, friends and neighbors with agencies who offer services and supports that specialize in serving our community members with special needs. Each year over 30 booths are filled by vendors of a variety of areas of expertise.

Benefits of Attendees

~Increase awareness of resources
~Meet professionals, ask questions, and find out what resources are available in Franklin County for individuals with developmental disabilities.
~Network with various agencies and families who have “been there” and are ready to share their knowledge.

Refreshments          Door Prizes

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CLICK HERE

Hope to see you there!