NDSS Down Syndrome Advocacy Conference

Get ready for an enhanced conference experience! Based on your valuable feedback from our previous events, we are thrilled to announce we will host an extra day of the conference on Monday, April 28 dedicated to pre-conference learning sessions. This extra day will allow participants to dive deeper into a wide array of topics that directly impact our community, including health, education, employment, and state policy.  

Detailed agenda coming soon! 

The general track includes:  

• Our pre-conference webinar and materials
• An engaging keynote speaker and policy and advocacy general sessions on Tuesday April 29
• Breakfast on Tuesday April 29
• The Champions of Change luncheon on Tuesday April 29
• Our evening reception on Tuesday April 29, including one drink ticket
• Breakfast on Wednesday, April 30
• Transportation to Capitol Hill on Wednesday, April 30
• Pre-scheduled meetings on Capitol Hill on Wednesday, April 30

Please note: We encourage self-advocates with Down syndrome and sibling advocates ages 12 – 17 to consider attending the Modified Track, however, these participants may choose whichever track is best for them. 

We offer a Modified Track designed with self-advocates in mind. This track is recommended for individuals with Down syndrome ages 12+ who wish to learn more about policy and advocacy basics and how to use their voice to advocate for change. Experienced self-advocates are encouraged to attend the general conference track but are welcome to choose whichever track best fits their needs. Siblings aged 12 – 17 are also welcome to join this track if they prefer.

A modified track ticket will include:

• Our pre-conference webinar and materials
• An engaging keynote speaker and policy and advocacy sessions on Tuesday, April 29 designed to support self-advocates and teens in developing their advocacy skills and crafting their message to Capitol Hill
• Breakfast on Tuesday, April 29 the Champions of Change
• Luncheon on Tuesday, April 29
• Our evening reception on Tuesday, April 29, including one drink ticket
• Breakfast on Wednesday, April 30
• Transportation to Capitol Hill on Wednesday, April 30
• Pre-scheduled meetings on Capitol Hill on Wednesday, April 30 

Childcare will be provided for children ages 6 – 11 on Monday, April 28th for the pre-conference training day from 1 pm to 5 pm. Childcare will be hosted on Tuesday, April 29 from 8:30 am to 3 pm. Childcare will not be provided on Wednesday, April 30, and children are expected to accompany parents or caregivers on Capitol Hill or have separate childcare arrangements. The Down Syndrome Advocacy Conference is a family-friendly event, and families are encouraged to bring their children with them to Capitol Hill!

Childcare tickets will include:

• a full day of engaging activities on Tuesday, April 29
• breakfast, lunch, and a snack on Tuesday, April 29
• access to the evening reception on Tuesday, April 29
• breakfast on Wednesday, April 30
• transportation to Capitol Hill on Wednesday, April 30
• pre-scheduled meetings on Capitol Hill on Wednesday, April 30 

Each year, NDSS has a limited number of scholarships to award participants who need financial support to attend the Down Syndrome Advocacy Conference. The 2025 scholarship application will open soon!

NDSS is proud to bestow Champion of Change awards to individuals and organizations who advocate for the Down syndrome community in their local communities and at all levels of government. Awardees are nominated by peers and honored at the annual Down Syndrome Advocacy Conference in Washington, D.C.  

More information on 2025 nominations and awardees to come!  

NDSS offers the opportunity for advocacy organizations, service providers, self-advocate-owned businesses, and others to exhibit on Tuesday, April 29 . For more information on exhibitor opportunities, please contact Genevieve Thompson at gthompson@ndss.org.