The NDSS legislative agenda spans the life experience of individuals with Down syndrome from birth through adulthood and ranges in issue from health care to asset development. These priorities have been shaped by self-advocates, families, affiliate leaders and others under the direction of the NDSS Board of Directors.
NDSS advocates for education laws and policies that uphold the rights of individuals with Down syndrome to receive a free and appropriate public education in the least restrictive setting: promote principles and practices designed to improve educational outcomes for students with Down syndrome.
People with Down syndrome face many challenges in gaining economic self-sufficiency. NDSS advocates break down barriers and to develop financial planning opportunities for people with Down syndrome and their families.
NDSS is actively involved in advocacy efforts to create meaningful, integrated employment opportunities for people with Down syndrome. The broad scope of our efforts and our federal and state legislative priorities are described in this section.
The NDSS Ambassador program is our chance to give back to the community in gratitude for the generations that have paved the way for my daughter and her civil rights. It is also the chance to continue to push back the horizon that limits people with Down syndrome from all that they are capable of doing and all that they desire to contribute. We see it as a personal investment in the optimism of an even better tomorrow