National Platform

(L to R) Board Member Dr. Brian Skotko, Legislative Advocate John Anton,
Senator Scott Brown, Executive Director Maureen Gallagher

The MDSC adopts its federal legislative platform from its national partner, the National Down Syndrome Society. The following nine initiatives are our/NDSS’s 2011 federal policy priorities:

1. Increase Co-Sponsors For The Achieving A Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act
2. Secure Public And Private Funds To Ensure Physicians And Women Who Receive A Prenatal Diagnosis Receive Accurate, Up-To-Date Information
3. Reintroduce And Increase Co-sponsorship For The Trisomy 21 Translational Research Parity Act
4. Maintain The Current Level Of NIH Funding For Down Syndrome Research
5. Incorporate Universal Design For Learning (UDL) Provisions In Educational Legislation
6. Seek An Opportunity To Reintroduce Restraints And Seclusion Consensus Legislation.
7. Encourage the U.S. Department Of Education (DOE) To Expedite Financial Aid For Students With Intellectual Disabilities In Postsecondary Education
8. Support The Transition Toward Excellence In Achievement And Mobility (TEAM) Act
9. Modernize Existing Laws That Contain Barriers To Employment

For more information, including a detailed summary, background and list of objectives for each bill, click here.

Buddy Walk on Washington

Each year, the MDSC assembles a delegation of advocates to represent the MDSC at the Annual Buddy Walk on Washington, a two day advocacy event in Washington, DC. The MDSC is joined by hundreds of other Down syndrome advocates from across the country to visit the Congressional leaders on Capitol Hill.

If you would like to learn more about attending the Buddy Walk on Washington click here