Down Syndrome Indiana Inc

WE ENHANCE THE LIVES OF INDIVIDUALS WITH DOWN SYNDROME AND THEIR FAMILIES. WE ADVISE, EDUCATE, ENCOURAGE, CONNECT, INCLUDE, AND ADVOCATE.

THE BUDDY WALK PROGRAM WELCOMES PARTICIPANTS OF ALL AGES AND ABILITIES. THE GOAL OF THE PROGRAM IS TO PROMOTE ACCEPTANCE AND INCLUSION OF PEOPLE WITH DOWN SYNDROME. THIS PROGRAM IS HELD ANNUALLY IN THREE CITIES IN INDIANA INCLUDING INDIANAPOLIS, LAFYETTE, AND TERRE HAUTE. THE WALKS ARE IN-PERSON. THEY HAD A COMBINED 5,000 PARTICIPANTS.

PARENT SUPPORT AND EDUCATION:NEW PARENT PACKETS - DOWN SYNDROME INDIANA PROVIDES COMPREHENSIVE PARENT PACKETS THAT CONTAIN A WEALTH OF INFORMATION TO PARENTS THAT HAVE A NEWBORN WITH DOWN SYNDROME OR HAVE JUST LEARNED OF THE DIAGNOSIS BEFORE THEIR CHILD IS BORN. THESE PACKETS ARE DISTRIBUTED TO THE FAMILIES UPON REQUEST OR THROUGH LOCAL HOSPITALS. A SPANISH VERSION OF THE NEW PARENT PACKET IS ALSO AVAILABLE! THERE WERE 175 NEW PARENT PACKETS DISTRIBUTED IN 2023.COMMUNITY SUPPORT GROUPS - DOWN SYNDROME INDIANA RECOGNIZES THAT THERE ARE VARIED INTERESTS AMONG THE DOWN SYNDROME COMMUNITY. EXAMPLES INCLUDE GEOGRAPHICAL CONSIDERATIONS, CULTURAL CONSIDERATIONS, EDUCATIONAL CONSIDERATIONS, AND AGE CONSIDERATIONS. DOWN SYNDROME INDIANA RECOGNIZES THE BENEFITS OF A COMMUNITY GROUP AMONG THESE FAMILIES. COMMUNITY GROUPS INCLUDE: CASS AREA DOWN SYNDROME (CADS), CUENTA CONMIGO, DADS APPRECIATING DOWN SYNDROME (DADS), DOWN SYNDROME INDIANA LAFAYETTE, DOWN SYNDROME INDIANA TERRE HAUTE, DOWN SYNDROME INDIANA EAST CENTRAL PLAYGROUP, MOM'S NIGHT OUT, DOWN SYNDROME INDIANA SELF-ADVOCATES, DOWN SYNDROME INDIANA TEENS, DELAWARE COUNTY/MUNCIE AREA, AND WESTSIDE.FIRST CALL - FIRST CALL VOLUNTEERS MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN LIVES BY SERVING AS THE FIRST POINT OF CONTACT WITH A NEW FAMILY. A FIRST CALL PARENT IS TRAINED IN EMPATHETIC LISTENING SKILLS AND IS A NEW PARENT'S FIRST LOOK AT WHAT LIFE WITH A CHILD WITH DOWN SYNDROME IS LIKE.MEDICAL OUTREACH - THE GOAL IS TO BUILD RELATIONSHIPS OF TRUST AND RESPECT BETWEEN MEDICAL PROVIDERS AND THE DOWN SYNDROME COMMUNITY. PROVIDE ACCURATE AND UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION ABOUT DOWN SYNDROME TO MEDICAL PROVIDERS.THE LEARNING PROGRAM - THE LEARNING PROGRAM PROVIDES DIRECT SERVICES THROUGH THE COMMUNITY AND WAS DEVELOPED TO SUPPLEMENT TRADITIONAL EDUCATION IN READING AND MATH THROUGH DIRECT INSTRUCTION AND MATERIALS FOR STUDENTS WITH DOWN SYNDROME OR OTHER DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES.AWARENESS PRESENTATIONS - DOWN SYNDROME INDIANA REPRESENTATIVES SPOKE TO 841 PEOPLE IN 2023 THROUGH DOWN SYNDROME AWARENESS PRESENTATIONS. WE SPEAK TO K-12 STUDENTS, COLLEGE STUDENTS, MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS, SERVICE PROVIDERS, AND CORPORATE PARTNERS AND ORGANIZATIONS.DURING 2023, DOWN SYNDROME INDIANA WAS ABLE TO REACH 2,741 PARENTS AND 1,387 INDIVIDUALS WITH DOWN SYNDROME THROUGH THEIR PROGRAMMING.