On Long Island it has been common practice for children with Down syndrome to be placed in segregated educational settings, beginning at three years of age. Believe it or not, in almost all school districts in Nassau and Suffolk County, children with Down syndrome are immediately recommended for placement in segregated kindergarten classes.

Five years ago, a small number of families started to make a change. They learned of their rights and their children’s rights and became aware of the profound effects being included in educational, recreational, and community settings can have on their children with Down syndrome.

Since this time, the foundation has:

• influenced preschool providers to provide educational opportunities for children with Down syndrome alongside their typical peers
• influenced preschool providers to support children with Down syndrome in community preschools
• provided financial assistance for families who required an attorney in order to have their child placed in a general education setting
• provided school districts, early intervention personnel, and preschool providers with training in effective practices in the education of children with Down syndrome.

If you would you like to be a part of the changes we are making on Long Island, please consider an officer position on the board of the Down Syndrome Advocacy Foundation

We are currently in the process of holding elections for our board.
Nominations will be accepted from June 1st through July 16th.

To be nominated for a position you must be an active member of DSAF in good standing. Our election will be held in July, 2007.

The new officers will take position on September 1, 2007.

We are parent run organization dedicated to make changes for all individuals with Down syndrome.

If you are interested in volunteering but cannot make the commitment as an officer then please consider the following committees: Education & Advocacy, Fundraising, Marketing and Public Relations, Dinner Dance, and Conference.

AS A SMALL GROUP OF FAMILIES WE ARE MAKING SIGNIFICANT CHANGES IN DISTRICTS ACROSS LONG ISLAND. WITH YOUR HELP WE CAN MAKE INCLUSION THE RULE AND NOT THE EXCEPTION.