Advocacy

  • We advocate for the value, acceptance and inclusion of all people with Down syndrome by building connection and community.

  • We are a proud member of the Maryland Down Syndrome Advocacy Coalition.

  • We pledge to help our elected officials get to know real people with Down syndrome and their families at our events.

  • We are an appointed member of the Maryland State Education Advocacy Coalition (SESAC.)

  • We are an appointed member of the steering committee of the Ethan Saylor Alliance.

  • We proudly amplify messages that encourage and support voting initiatives for individuals with disabilities.

3/21 World Down Syndrome Day 2024

Socks and Classroom Advocacy Kits are available now!




Let us help you advocate and prepare your World Down Syndrome Day celebrations!

  1. Order or sell mismatched socks to celebrate individuals with Down syndrome on World Down Syndrome Day! (Post your pictures on social media using #RockYourSocksDSAmd and #WDSDdsamd)

  2. Order a FREE classroom advocacy kit to help educational and religious leaders in your community celebrate the Down syndrome community


Visit our website by clicking the button above and order today:

Socks.
- adult or child-sized socks ($3/pair - suppports DSAmd's ongoing work, and adults with Down syndrome help with mismatching, pairing, and organizing)

- NEW THIS YEAR! adult-sized socks from Spencer’s Groovy Tie Dye, Spencer is a teen who has Down syndrome and lives in Central Maryland! See his business website here.

Classroom Advocacy Kits.
- select the kit depending on age of the classroom/group (Free! Preschool/Elementary, Middle, or High school ages available)

Do you know a company, club, or religious institution that might like to sponsor a kit? Have other questions?

Please contact Amanda: director@DSAmd.org \ 410-321-5434 (call or text is OK!)

FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions:

1. What's in a classroom advocacy kit?

Adult self-advocates will be paid to assemble and package the following in the kits...

**Lesson Plan (organized by age of student audience)

**1 Book from the following (if you have a preference, let us know!)

- Just Ask

- You Are Enough

- A Friend Like Anian

**blue/yellow stickers to celebrate

2. What do I do with a classroom advocacy kit?

Give the kit to an educator or a worship leader, and thank them for delivering the message. If you or your loved one has Down syndrome, complete a personalized "All About Me" flyer to go with it! Share with school leadership, too.

3. Where can I pick up kits and socks?

TBD!

4. Has DSAmd done this before?

YES! In 2022, 74 Classroom Advocacy kits were deployed in 7 counties around the state of Maryland! Assuming an average class size of 18, that means 1,332 students received advocacy and the opportunity to learn about individuals with Down syndrome thanks to everyone’s efforts.

In 2023, we estimate we reached more than 1,600 students. We hope to reach even more in 2024.


5. Why Socks?

Every March 21st, DSAmd joins schools, businesses and organizations around the world in celebrating WORLD DOWN SYNDROME DAY. 

So... Why the wild, mismatched socks?

"In 2013, the theme of Wearing Odd Socks was initiated to raise awareness. Over time it has also been promoted as Lots of Socks. The idea was created because chromosomes are shaped “like socks” and people with Down’s Syndrome have an extra chromosome. 

People all over the world wear colorful, attractive, crazy socks on WDSD to get noticed. Other sock themed activities like puppet making and games are also carried out in schools, playgroups, daycares and workstations. 

From the USA to Australia, the unique talents and abilities of people with Down Syndrome are celebrated. To get people talking and asking questions, the organizers of WDSD recommend wearing, “not just any socks, brightly colored socks, mismatched socks, long socks, printed socks, one sock. Maybe even three socks, one for each chromosome.”" - Excerpt from Arkansas Down Syndrome Association (ardownsyndrome.org - accessed February 2021)


6. What can we do with wild, mismatched socks?

Wear them to the office, to class, to worship, and to public places …and talk about what the socks represent and mean to you.

A note about language: We discourage the use of the word “crazy” wherever possible because it’s not kind to those with chronic, persistent mental illness nor does “crazy” well-represent individuals with Down syndrome. Thanks!

Annual Walk Event

We proudly leverage our biggest event of the year - a walk - to celebrate and advocate for individuals with Down syndrome. At the same time, we learned through virtual events during the COVID-19 pandemic that walk events within elected officials’ districts are meaningful ways to advocate with legislators. In 2020 and 2021, we welcomed approximately 15 elected officials each year to participate with our families in their own communities. In 2022, we welcomed 16 elected officials who got involved with the walk, including two federal legislators. Over 1,000 participants joined us to walk, to celebrate, to play, and to make vital connections with resources in the community.

See what we’ve done in the past two years - and never miss an update! - by following the hashtag: #StepUpBaltimore


DSAmd is a partner for Disability Voting Rights Week 2022

REV UP Resource

REV UP stands for “Register, Educate, Vote, Use your Power!” The REV UP network is composed of grassroots coalitions and partner organizations that work to advance the Disability Vote. REV UP’s mission is to foster civic engagement and protect the voting rights of Americans with disabilities.

Can individuals with Down syndrome vote? YES! Your vote matters and your vote is powerful!

Use YOUR power by registering to vote BY CLICKING HERE.

Important note: Individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities are only ineligible to vote if they are both under guardianship and found by a court to be unable to communicate a desire to vote.