Do you need help with your Individualized Education Plan (IEP)? NDSS is happy to offer personalized, inclusion support to families and schools! Submit your information below to be contacted by a member of our team.
Inclusion means that ALL students are accepted as equal in rights and as members of their community. The National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) does not believe in segregated environments as placement (primary or partial) for any student. While no two students are alike in skills and talents, each and every student has the right to be a fully accepted and active member of their school participating along with their peers in all the activities, instructional and non-instructional, matching their talents with appropriate supports to help them reach their full potential.
True Inclusive Education environments have educational services such as PT, OT and speech in the general education classroom. Inclusive Education environments create collaboration amongst the interdisciplinary team of teachers, staff, therapists and all students, resulting in improved learning for all. To that extent, inclusion is a must not only for students with intellectual disabilities, but for all students, as the benefits of inclusion have been shown to be as powerful for those with and those without disabilities in preparing them to be responsible, productive members of our society and American citizens.
Inclusive Education prepares individuals for success as self-determined adult citizens in the workforce and community. Individuals with Down syndrome are working, getting married, serving on boards, volunteering and otherwise reaching their full potential as adults in their communities, and the educational setting should prepare them for such experiences. NDSS believes in inclusion rather than segregation as a general practice.
For more information, please contact NDSS at [email protected].
“Charlotte is our youngest granddaughter who was born just a year ago. In such a short time she has brought so much joy and happiness to our family. Her ever-present smile can light up a room! We have become immersed in the Down Syndrome world and we are amazed at the great work others have done before us to make a better world for children like Charlotte. We joined TeamNDSS in conjunction with the Marine Corps Marathon because we want to pay it forward so that all DS children can reap the benefits of NDSS.”
— Glenn & Marianne Moore