NDSS Down Syndrome Advocacy Conference

April 19 – 21, 2027 | Washington, D.C.

Four-panel photo collage from Hill Day at the 2026 Down Syndrome Advocacy Conference. Panel 1: A large group women, men, and children in professional attire, including several wearing bright pink and red outfits, pose together on the steps of the U.S. Capitol building. Many people in the group have Down syndrome. Panel 2: A woman in a striped top and jeans holds up a young child with Down syndrome wearing a white outfit with a blue bow, making a peace sign, with the Capitol building in the background. Panel

Registration for the 2027 NDSS Down Syndrome Advocacy Conference opens soon. Please check back!

Join us April 19-21, 2027 for this transformative three-day event that brings together advocates, families, professionals, and individuals with Down syndrome to learn, connect, and inspire change on Capitol Hill. Thank you for supporting our legislative priorities to empower the Down syndrome community.

Conference FAQs

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The 2026 Down Syndrome Advocacy Conference

A group of advocates with and without Down syndrome pose in front of the U.S. Capitol Building

A large group of advocates with and without Down syndrome pose in front of the U.S. Capitol Building

A group of advocates with and without Down syndrome meets with their Member of Congress in the U.S. Capitol Building

An older individual with Down syndrome, wearing a brown newsboy cap, a green shirt with pink flowers, and a suit jacket, gently kisses a baby dressed in pink. The older individual is holding a red NDSS branded cup. The photo is taken outdoors on a patio.

Two young women with Down syndrome and blonde hair lean together and smile broadly at a registration table. One is wearing headphones and a floral top, and the other is making a "rock on" hand sign. A tablet, phone, and NDSS badge are visible on the blue-draped table in front of them.

A large group of approximately 25 young adults and teens poses together in a conference room. Many are wearing conference lanyards and business-casual attire. Several individuals with Down syndrome are among the group; some are making playful gestures and peace signs.

Three individuals stand in front of an NDSS step-and-repeat backdrop. A man with Down syndrome, wearing a blue blazer, holds a glass NDSS award and laughs as the tall woman to his left, wearing a yellow jacket, smiles at him. A woman with Down syndrome in a striped blazer stands to his right.

Three conference attendees — two adults and a young man with Down syndrome — share a fun, playful moment. One adult is holding the young man in their arms while all three laugh and wave at the camera. Conference lanyards are visible.

Two women sit closely together, smiling at the camera. The younger woman, who has Down syndrome, is wearing a red plaid jacket and glasses, and has her arms wrapped warmly around the older woman, who is wearing a white collared shirt and suspenders...

What to expect at the NDSS Down Syndrome Advocacy Conference

This annual event brings together advocates, families, professionals, and individuals with Down syndrome to learn, connect, and inspire change on Capitol Hill. Immerse yourself in our Pre-Conference Bootcamp, our community's legislative priorities, and gain valuable resources to empower the Down syndrome community. Don't miss this opportunity to make a difference!

Conference Tracks

Pre-Conference Bootcamp

Elevate your Advocacy Impact

Transform your advocacy approach with our signature Pre-Conference Bootcamp experience on Monday, April 19th.
This exclusive offering features specialized, in-depth sessions designed to enhance your advocacy across critical policy areas and at the federal and state levels. The Pre-Conference Bootcamp is designed for advocates of all backgrounds — self-advocates, family members and loved ones, affiliate leaders, medical and other professionals — to gain tangible skills and learn more about the full range of policies that impact individuals with Down syndrome.

Further details on session topics, agendas, and speakers will be updated and shared with all registered attendees as we approach the conference.

Registration Information:

Pre-Conference Bootcamp requires additional registration
Individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities have access to the Pre-Conference Bootcamp within their registration
Additional registration required for childcare is available for children ages 6–11

General Conference Track

The General Conference track is recommended for individuals with Down syndrome ages 18+ who have previous advocacy experience and all parents, caregivers, siblings ages 18+, and all other attendees.

The General Conference track includes:

Pre-conference webinar and materials
Engaging keynote speaker and policy and advocacy general sessions
Champions of Change luncheon
Evening reception, including one drink ticket
Transportation to Capitol Hill
Pre-scheduled meetings on Capitol Hill

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.

Modified Track

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.

The Modified Track includes:

Pre-conference webinar and materials
Engaging keynote speaker and policy and advocacy sessions
Champions of Change Luncheon
Evening reception, including one drink ticket
Transportation to Capitol Hill
Pre-scheduled meetings on Capitol Hill

Childcare

Childcare will be available for children ages 6 – 11 during the conference days. Childcare will not be provided on Hill Day, and children are expected to accompany parents or caregivers on Capitol Hill or have separate childcare arrangements. The NDSS Down Syndrome Advocacy Conference is a family-friendly event, and families are encouraged to bring their children with them to Capitol Hill! Childcare tickets are sold separately.

Childcare tickets for the pre-conference bootcamp include:

Half day of engaging activities
A snack

Childcare tickets for the conference training day include:

Full day of engaging activities
Breakfast, lunch, and a snack
Access to the evening reception
Breakfast on Hill Day
Transportation to Capitol Hill
Pre-scheduled meetings on Capitol Hill

Additional Information

Legislative Priorities

Access our 2026 legislative priorities to see what we advocated for at the 2026 NDSS Down Syndrome Advocacy Conference. The legislative priorities for the 2027 NDSS Down Syndrome Advocacy Conference will be shared prior to the conference.

Scholarships

NDSS is proud to offer a limited number of scholarships each year to support passionate advocates who require financial assistance to attend the conference.
Please check back later this year for scholarship opportunities for the 2027 conference.

Champions of Change

NDSS is proud to give the Champions 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.

Nomination applications will reopen soon for the 2027 Champions of Change Awards.

Congratulations to the 2026 winners listed below!

Stephen Beck Jr Advocates of the Year: Audrey Presby and Jeremy Fraser
Individual Leader of the Year: Macy Pohl
Self-Advocate of the Year: Will Gibson
DS-Ambassador® of the Year: Andrew Wall
Organization of the Year: DS Network of Arizona

Exhibitor Opportunities

NDSS offers the opportunity for advocacy organizations, service providers, self-advocate-owned businesses, and others to exhibit at the conference. Please check back for more information on exhibitor opportunities for the 2027 conference.