non-profit spotlight INDIANA DOWN SYNDROME By Lisa Wells

What is Down Syndrome?

Down syndrome is caused by having a third copy of the 21st chromosome instead of just two copies. It is considered an intellectual and developmental disability (I/DD) and affects people from all walks of life. Down syndrome occurs in one out of every 691 births. There are approximately 350,000 individuals with Down syndrome living within the United States. People with Down syndrome possess a wide degree of abilities and are active participants in civic, educational, occupational, social, and recreational activities in the community.

How does Down Syndrome Indiana support those in the Down Syndrome community?

Down Syndrome Indiana is a one-stop-shop for information and resources on Down syndrome. The programs and services it offers are intended to promote the inclusion of individuals with Down syndrome in their greater community, as well as to offer support and information to families, caregivers, educators, employers, and the professionals who serve these individuals.

Down Syndrome Indiana offers support at every age. Programs and services include: • Adult Activities • Awareness Presentations • Buddy Walk® • Community Support Groups • D.A.D.S. • Educator Resources • First Call • Information and Resource Referrals • The Lucky Mama Project • Mom’s Night Out • New Parent Packets • One-day Conference • Public Policy Advocacy • The Learning Program™ • And more …

Down Syndrome Indiana is a not-for-profit, 501 (c) 3, non-member organization and is dedicated to enhancing the lives of individuals from infancy through adulthood.

How can others get involved or support your organization?

There are so many ways that you can get involved in Down Syndrome Indiana …

If you would like to sign up for our weekly e-newsletter, you can do so here: https://dsindiana.org/dsienews/.

A program guide can be downloaded from https://dsindiana.org/ program-guide/.

If you would like to volunteer from home to make cards or prepare fundraising mailings, please sign up at this link https://dsindiana.org/get-involved/volunteer-from-home/. Thank you in advance for your help!

If you would like to make a donation, please visit us at https://dsindiana.org/donate/make-a-donation/.

If you have an interest in public policy and would like to be a Down Syndrome Indiana public policy advocate, please visit us at https://dsindiana.org/policy-and-advocacy/.

What difficulties and or challenges do you help families and/ or individuals with Down Syndrome overcome?

When a parent learns that their baby is going to be born with Down syndrome or has been born with Down syndrome, they may feel fear about what their child’s future holds. No matter what a parent feels upon learning the diagnosis, every parent wants more information. If you type, “Down syndrome” into a search engine, you can obtain 1,700,000 results. With that many items on the web, how does a new parent know where to begin finding accurate and up-to-date information? That is why Down Syndrome Indiana and the programs, services, and events that it offers, are so important. You see, we envision a future in which each person enjoys a happy, healthy, and productive daily life. We make this future possible through family guidance, comprehensive resources, community outreach, and public leadership. Our mission is to enhance the lives of individuals with Down syndrome and their families. We advise, educate, encourage, connect, include, and advocate.

Anything else you would like to include?

We are so excited that Down Syndrome Indiana was able to launch its newest community support group, Black Family Village of Down Syndrome Indiana. In addition, we are excited to announce that a Down syndrome Awareness license plate will be available in 2021!

Down Syndrome Indiana 708 E. Michigan Street Indianapolis, IN 46202 317-925-7617 info@dsindiana.org https://dsindiana.org/