Down Syndrome Association of Connecticut - DS ACT

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Down Syndrome Association of Connecticut - DS ACT

We are a statewide organization supporting families and individuals in CT who live with Down syndrome

Annual convention, featuring nationally known speakers, workshops on best practices in education, medicine and social issues, and the largest state-wide gathering of families and professionals concerned with Down syndrome. In addition to the annual convention, we co-sponsor parent/professional conferences with nationally known speakers, on such topics as Speech and language, medical issues, inclusive education and sexuality. One of our biggest events is the Annual Step Up Walk in the fall. In 2022 it will be held at Rentschler Stadium in East Hartford on Saturday, September 24th. We invite the public to join us in a day of fun to celebrate the potential of people who live with Down syndrome. More information about the walk can be found at our Step Up for Down Syndrome walk website: https://www.ds-stride.org/stepupconnecticut

11/07/2026

DS ACT is now accepting applications for its Board of Directors for the 2027-29 term. We are looking for people who are passionate about the potential of people with Down syndrome and who believe in the power of of our voices together.

To see details of the position and the selection process, please review the prospectus: https://mydsact.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/11/Board-of-Directors-Prospectus-2027.pdf.

The application is available here:https://mydsact.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/11/2027-Board-of-Directors-Application-1.pdf

IMPORTANT: the deadline for applying for this selection cycle is November 15th.

10/31/2026

BOO! 👻

We interrupt your regularly scheduled Down Syndrome Awareness Month post for this very important announcement:

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Today our community includes witches, superheroes, princesses, dinosaurs, ghosts, athletes, movie characters and at least one child who absolutely refused to wear the costume their parents spent $$ on.

Thanks for spending October with us—learning a little, laughing a little and meeting some of the people who make the DS ACT community amazing.

Down Syndrome Awareness Month may be ending.

Our 40th anniversary celebration? Oh, we’re nowhere near finished. 💙💛

10/30/2026

Tomorrow is the last day of Down Syndrome Awareness Month.
Are we done being aware now?

We hope not. When presented with people who have Down syndrome -- neighbors, kids in school, co-workers, customers, friends -- Say hello. Include them INTENTIONALLY. Raise expectations. Make information accessible. Offer support without doing everything for them -- we all learn from failing once in a while.

Hire people who have Down syndrome, invite them, listen to them.

Awareness Month might end, but belonging should go on forever.

10/25/2026

🧙‍♀️🎃 It’s just a bunch of Hocus Pocus! 🎃🧙‍♀️

The Advocacy Avengers are settling in for a spooky movie with Hocus Pocus! 🍿👻 From witches and spells to plenty of Halloween fun, we’re making memories and enjoying some seasonal magic together! 🖤🧡

Just remember… it’s all a bunch of HOCUS POCUS! ✨🧹

10/24/2026

💙 Learning, Connecting, and Advocating for Inclusive Education! 💙

Yesterday, DS ACT Board Member Sara Miceli and Family Support Coordinator Melody Lehrman attended the SEEK CT Conference, where they had the opportunity to bump into Keith McGilvrey, The Good News Guy! 📸

DS ACT proudly sponsored this event.

The day was spent surrounded by special education attorneys, advocates, and professionals who share a common goal: gaining knowledge, learning new tools, and strengthening their ability to advocate for students with disabilities across Connecticut.

When we come together, share our expertise, and learn from one another, we become better equipped to ensure that every student has access to an equitable education and the opportunity to reach their full potential. 💙

Because every student deserves an education that meets their needs, honors their rights, and opens doors to opportunity!

10/23/2026

*POSTPONED*

Author — and DS ACT member! — Lisa Dunn will be discussing her new book, Nothing More, Nothing Less, this Sunday, October 25th in Monroe.

Tickets can be purchased at Posh Tea Room’s website: www.poshtearoom.com

10/22/2026

Down Syndrome Awareness Month Day 21

Forty years ago, some Connecticut families decided they could do more together than they could alone. Turns out, they were onto something.

DS ACT has grown and changed since 1986 (we even changed our name!), but one constant is our volunteers – they were there at the beginning and they are still an essential part of just about everything we do—events, education, outreach, advocacy, fundraising and just plain showing up.

Some people volunteer once. Some stick around for years. Some accidentally find themselves running things. That’s how communities are built.

Not by one organization doing everything, but by many hearts joining together and learning to speak with one voice.

Forty years later, we’re still grateful for every shared moment, and every hardworking pair of hands.

10/21/2026

Down Syndrome Awareness Month Day 21

October has TWO awareness months we care a lot about: Down Syndrome Awareness Month and National Disability Employment Awareness Month.

Coincidence?
Yes, but we’re gonna run with it….

In the 1980s the employment rate for adults with Down syndrome was about 2.9%. Today the rate has risen to around 50%. It’s good news that adults with Down syndrome now work in a wide range of jobs and even run their own businesses.
But many only work part-time at minimum wage or less, and others want to work but can't get find a job.

Access to meaningful, fairly compensated employment is still a major issue (Actress Madison Tevlin was in Connecticut just a few weeks ago to speak about this and other advocacy challenges the disability community faces).

So here's an awareness message for employers:
Talent comes in more packages than your hiring process may be looking for. Inclusive hiring is smart business.

10/21/2026

Down Syndrome Awareness Month Day 21

October has TWO awareness months we care a lot about: Down Syndrome Awareness Month and National Disability Employment Awareness Month.

Coincidence?
Yes. But we’re gonna run with it….

In the 1980s the employment rate for adults with Down syndrome was about 2.9%. Today the rate has risen to around 50%. It’s good news that adults with Down syndrome now work in a wide range of jobs and even run their own businesses.
But many only work part-time at minimum wage or less, and others want to work but can't get find a job.

Access to meaningful, fairly compensated employment is still a major issue (Actress Madison Tevlin was in Connecticut just a few weeks ago to speak about this and other advocacy challenges the disability community faces).

So here's an awareness message for employers:
Talent comes in more packages than your hiring process may be looking for. Inclusive hiring is smart business.

10/20/2026

Down Syndrome Awareness Month Day 20

If you’ve never met someone with Down syndrome, you might think it occurs pretty rarely, but you’d be mistaken.

The CDC estimates that 5,700 to 6,000 babies with Down syndrome are born in the United States each year—about 1 in every 640 babies.

That makes Down syndrome the most common chromosomal condition diagnosed in the country.

Those numbers, of course, tell you approximately how many babies are born. They tell you ABSOLUTELY NOTHING about who those babies will become.
That’s the fun part. 💙💛

Address

66 S. Broad Street , Unit 1082
Pawcatuck, CT
06379

Telephone

+18884868537

Website

http://www.mydsact.org/

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