World Down Syndrome Day 2013 - JOIN US!

World Down Syndrome Day 2013 is nearly upon us and we hope that you are all looking forward to observing 21 March in all the great ways you have chosen to. Everyone at Down Syndrome International is ready for another truly global celebration!

Here are 6 ways you can help us to raise the profile of people with Down syndrome worldwide and promote their right to be included in our communities:

1.       Watch and Share the 2013 WDSD Global Video Event http://www.ds-int.org/let-us-in-i-want-to-work

2.        Read and Share the worthy awardees of the 2013 WDSD Awards http://www.ds-int.org/release-wdsd-awards-2013

3.       Watch and Share the live UN Webcast of the 2013 WDSD UN Conference on 21 March from 10am-6pm U.S. Eastern Daylight Time (GMT -4) http://worlddownsyndromeday.org/wdsd-conference-2013

4.       Read about and Share with us details of your WDSD events on the WDSD Website Events pages http://worlddownsyndromeday.org/world-events

5.       Join our campaign to wear “Lots of Socks” on 21 March to raise awareness worldwide http://worlddownsyndromeday.org/lots-of-socks

6.       Join WDSD on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/World-Down-Syndrome-Day/148478055264021 and Twitter https://twitter.com/WorldDSDay to keep up with activities on 21 March.

Thank you so much for your support and we hope you enjoy your day.

Regards

Andrew Boys

Andrew Boys

Director

Down Syndrome International

T: 0044 (0)20 8614 5124 F: 0044 (0)0845 230 0373

M: 0044 (0)07810 153294

Email: andrew.boys@ds-int.org Website: www.ds-int.org

Join us and celebrate World Down Syndrome Day on 21 March each year.

www.worlddownsyndromeday.org

NDSC Convention and Live Streaming Schedule

The 40th Annual Convention
Each year, thousands of people from across the globe attend the National Down Syndrome Congress Annual Convention.  For most, it’s to hear the latest information from world-renowned experts.  For others, it’s a great vacation. But, for nearly all, there’s the one-of-a-kind NDSC family reunion feeling that permeates the convention weekend. 
In July 2012 our 40th Annual Convention will be heading to our Nation’s Capitol in Washington, DC. From your house to the White House, it will be an opportunity to share in the  milestones of the last 40 years, advocate for continued progress through a Day on the Hill, and  embrace all individuals with DS as they live the dream.

We hope to see you July 19 -22, 2012 for the 40th Annual NDSC Convention

NDSC Convention from your Couch

To commemorate our 40th Annual Convention, the National Down Syndrome Congress invites you to participate in the festivities – wherever you are!

For the first time in Convention history, we are live streaming 17 workshops and sessions from Washington, D.C., this July. Share the experience of “the world’s largest family reunion” anywhere, and learn the latest developments and advancements from the Down syndrome community’s leading voices.

Registration for access to Live Streaming will be available July 2. Access to the recorded videos will be available until June 1, 2013. To register simply click on registration, open an account if you don’t have one and choose the live streaming option.

Live streaming schedule.

Check out Webcast of "Getting Real II" - Promising Practices in Inclusive Emergency Management for the Whole Community

From The White House Disability Group:

The Office of Disability Integration and Coordination ODIC at the Federal Emergency Management Agency and our co-sponsors, the National Council on Disability NCD and the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research NIDRR and our partners the Interagency Coordinating Council on Emergency Preparedness and People with Disabilities ICC and the Emergency Management Institute EMI are hosting Getting Real II - Promising Practices in Inclusive Emergency Management for the Whole Community, September 12-14, 2011 in Arlington, VA.    
 
This year, we’re particularly excited to have a webcast generously supported by the National Council on Disability available for people who cannot join us in person. This webcast will include many of the Promising Practices presentations (and all will be videotaped for “on demand” viewing after the conference). Click on the link provided to register for the webcast Getting Real II. 

IMPORTANT DATES & TIMES:

September 12, 2011

7pm – 10pm: Opening Plenary

September 13, 2011

9:00am – 10:15 am: Morning Plenary

10:30am – 12:40pm: Promising Practices

12:40pm – 1:30pm: Lunch

1:30pm – 5pm: Promising Practices

September 14, 2011

8:30am – 9:30am: Morning Plenary with Administrator Fugate

9:45am – 12pm: Promising Practices

12pm – 1pm: Lunch

1pm – 3:15pm: Promising Practices

3:30pm – 5pm: Team Reports and Closing Discussion

Please plan to join the Office of Disability Integration and Coordination and the National Council on Disability by webcast on Sept 12-14 for “Getting Real II- Promising Practices in Inclusive Emergency Management for the Whole Community”

National Preparedness Month - September 2011

“FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capacity to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.”

ESPN To Air Special Olympics World Games

from disabilityscoop.com:

The Special Olympics World Games kick off Saturday in Athens, Greece, but fans around the world will be able to get in on the action through a deal with ESPN.

The sports network said this week that it will air the opening and closing ceremonies of the games live on ESPN3.com.

ESPN will also include coverage of the Special Olympics games on the network’s main website and news clips of the event could air on television as well.

This summer’s games in Athens are the 13th Special Olympics World Games, which are held every two years and alternate between winter and summer.

The event is expected to draw some 7,000 athletes from 180 countries to compete in 22 different sports from swimming to track to table tennis.

The live webcast of the opening ceremonies will be Saturday at 1 p.m. EST. Closing ceremonies will will air July 4 at 1 p.m. EST.

Among those attending what’s expected to be the largest sporting event in the world this year will be a White House delegation headed by Jill Biden.