• Today Show Clip
• Links for self advocacy success
• Special Needs Childrens Site
• My Real Diagnosis
• SC Family Resource Center for Disabilities and Special Needs
  Lowcountry IEP support specialist
• National Down Syndrome Congress Advocacy Alert
• State Action Plan IDEA Final Regulations
• Walgreens program puts the able in disabled
  MSNBC reports on the success Walgreen’s Company has had right here in SC hiring employees with disabilities for their distribution center in Anderson.
• A project of Family Voices
  a great opportunity to join an organization that includes interaction and a source of information.
• US Dept of Health & Human Affairs
  Good info on legal rights.
• Project SAGE
  (Self Advocates for a Good Education)
• Advancing Disability Rights
  Advancing Disability Rights
• The Arc
  Network of members and affiliates to improve systems of support and services.
• Partners in policy making
  Click on futures planning on left side of menu on the homepage.
• ECI Library Matters
  Great source from Texas for articles, books, videos and journals on Down Syndrome and other disabilities.
• Articles
• Allen Shea and Associates

Overview of Strategies and Activities

March 2008 – March 2009

Executive Summary

During 2008/2009 we will continue the process of implementing the new organizational model and strategic focus approved by the NDSS Board of Directors in December 2006. NDSS will be a nimble, efficient nonprofit organization focused on cutting-edge strategies and delivering measurable results for our constituents.

This year is the culmination of several years of planning, building and collaboration in key areas. Because of these investments of time, effort and resources, we will be able to demonstrate tangible deliverables and results to the Down syndrome community. These exciting developments will include:

• Tentative launch of the National Down Syndrome Research Agenda
• Launch of new Website
• Full implementation of the Early Childhood Education Network
• Completion of the Kennedy Foundation grant with NDSC, with best practices for First Call programs

Through these results and our ongoing work on the strategic imperatives listed below, NDSS will make significant progress towards fulfilling its desired position as the national professional leader for the Down syndrome community.

Strategic Imperatives

Bring together key players in the Down syndrome research field and deliver critical milestones which will lead to increased public and private funding and improved research results.

• Advocate for improved policies, funding and protection of the rights of individuals with Down syndrome across the lifespan as determined by the National Governmental Affairs Committee.
• Serve as a national professional leader and advocate in education opportunities for people with Down syndrome, with emphasis on postsecondary education, early childhood inclusion, IDEA, No Child Left Behind, etc.
• Provide informational leadership to families, affiliates, self-advocates, professionals and the public, with a focus on best practices and awareness.

Programmatic Areas of Focus

RESEARCH
Launch high-visibility and high-impact deliverables that have been in progress for the past few years – Down Syndrome Research Agenda and inaugural leadership conference – while continuing direct research funding and active advocacy at federal level. Use these research announcements as centerpiece to create “buzz” within Down syndrome community, policy community and general public about the need for and importance of research.

POLICY/ADVOCACY
Continue momentum on National Government Affairs Legislative Agenda, with primary focus on improving education opportunities for people with Down syndrome.

POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION
Transition New Jersey postsecondary education model program into evaluation phase so that challenges and successes can be assessed and developed into materials to be applied to other communities/schools.

NEW/EXPECTANT PARENT EDUCATION
Develop and implement best practices for educating new/expectant parents and building relationships with health care professionals.

EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
Provide professional leadership to local communities on inclusive early childhood education.

BUDDY WALK
Continue growth of Buddy Walk program nationally and in New York City to achieve objectives of awareness and advocacy, with emphasis on online tools/strategies.

AFFILIATES
Enhance communications with affiliates to demonstrate value of NDSS work on national level and provide value-added services to affiliates.

SELF-ADVOCATES
Continue to integrate self-advocates into all activities whenever possible and solicit ongoing input and feedback via Self-Advocate Advisory Board.

GENERAL COMMUNICATIONS
Support all NDSS activities with strategic communications/marketing, with emphasis on electronic and online tools.