Down Syndrome Association of Connecticut - DS ACT

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Down Syndrome Association of Connecticut - DS ACT

We are a statewide organization supporting families and individuals in CT who live with Down syndrome

Annual convention, featuring nationally known speakers, workshops on best practices in education, medicine and social issues, and the largest state-wide gathering of families and professionals concerned with Down syndrome. In addition to the annual convention, we co-sponsor parent/professional conferences with nationally known speakers, on such topics as Speech and language, medical issues, inclusive education and sexuality. One of our biggest events is the Annual Step Up Walk in the fall. In 2022 it will be held at Rentschler Stadium in East Hartford on Saturday, September 24th. We invite the public to join us in a day of fun to celebrate the potential of people who live with Down syndrome. More information about the walk can be found at our Step Up for Down Syndrome walk website: https://www.ds-stride.org/stepupconnecticut

03/14/2026

Join Emily, Molly, Sarah and Shanon at the disABILITY Summit today at Great Wolf Lodge!

03/13/2026

LEARN's disABILITY Summit is the place to be tomorrow. Come say hello!

LEARN, Student Support Services

03/13/2026

💙💛 DS ACT will be at the DisAbility Summit this Saturday!

If you’re attending at Great Wolf Lodge at Foxwoods, stop by the Down Syndrome Association of Connecticut booth and say hello!

You’ll find Shanon McCormick, Sarah Salling, and Melody Lehrman there.

We’d love to connect—come say hi! 👋💙💛

03/12/2026

Santino Miceli visited Waterbury City Hall this week to pick up a citation recognizing World Down Syndrome Day signed by the mayor, Paul Pernerewski, Jr.

He had a blast exploring City Hall and especially loved trying on Chief of StaffJoseph Geary’s fire helmet.

Join DS ACT on Saturday, March 21, 2026 at La Bella Vista in Waterbury, CT for our 40th Anniversary Gala!

03/10/2026

Our first ever Gala on World Down Syndrome Day is coming up quickly. We’d like to take a moment to thank our incredible sponsors of this event. Wonderful businesses and people like you are what makes our community grow and achieve, so thank you!

03/09/2026

DS ACT has a group trip planned for the Hartford Wolfpack game on Sat. 3/28 at 6pm

It's also sensory friendly night!

You must buy tickets by 3/23/26 to join the group.

Buy your tickets here: https://www.gofevo.com/event/Downsyndrome22

03/08/2026

Did you hear the news? DS ACT is holding our first gala on Saturday, March 21st at La Bella Vista in Waterbury. A limited number of tickets are available so purchase your ticket today!

Tickets here:

Saturday, March 21, 2026 Please join us as we celebrate World Down Syndrome Day and mark the 40th anniversary of the Down Syndrome Association of Connecticut (DS ACT) . The Connecticut Down Syndrome Congress (CDSC) was founded in 1986 by a compassionate physician and dedicated parents who sought to....

03/06/2026

Calling all families living with Down syndrome on the eastern side of the state!

03/05/2026

Counting Down the Days until March 21st!

Our Annual Book Donation Project is in full swing. New books about Down syndrome appearing in libraries soon: Eli Explains Down Syndrome; Completely Toby; Down Syndrome Out Loud; Nonverbal; Riley’s Winning Catch; I Am a Masterpiece; and Unmasking Down Syndrome

02/22/2026

The DS ACT Advocacy Avengers were at it again! This time, they went to charhausecookie to learn the art of cupcake decorating. A big shoutout to Kate for opening the doors of her bakery to let the Avengers Assemble!

02/07/2026

Many Hearts, One Voice.

Advocates Made a Difference!

This week Congress passed and the President signed an appropriations package that funds a number of federal agencies through Fiscal Year 2026, including the Departments of Education and Health and Human Services. Disability advocates made a huge difference in ensuring that Congress rejected, on a bipartisan basis, the President’s recommendations to cut or eliminate important programs for individuals with disabilities. As noted in this article, NDSC Policy & Advocacy Co-Director, Stephanie Smith Lee, said, “Congress listened to families and advocates and refused to ‘block grant’ IDEA programs and clearly stated that no authorities exist for the department to transfer fundamental responsibilities...While the protections in the package are much appreciated, it remains to be seen what the administration will do in response.” In addition to protecting education programs and funding, other important programs saved from the chopping block include University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDDs) and the Administration for Community Living, both in HHS.

Thank you to everyone who wrote, called, and met with their Members of Congress and their staff! !

https://www.disabilityscoop.com/2026/02/05/trump-wanted-to-cut-disability-programs-congress-just-said-no/31847/

01/18/2026

The DS ACT Advocacy Avengers kicked off the year on Wednesday by interviewing each other and setting their personal goals for the year. We had a blast!

Want to join the Advocacy Avengers? Email avengers@mydsact.org for more information!

Address

66 S. Broad Street , Unit 1082
Pawcatuck, CT
06379

Telephone

+18884868537

Website

http://www.mydsact.org/

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Who We Are

The Down Syndrome Association of Connecticut (DS ACT), originally the Connecticut Down Syndrome Congress (CDSC), started in 1986 by a group of parents wishing to improve the opportunities available to their children with Down syndrome. We now serve more than 400 member families statewide by supporting and empowering individuals and families who live with Down syndrome through friendship, education and advocacy.

Our mission is to improve the lives of people with Down syndrome, by promoting equity, opportunities, inclusion, and by empowering them and their families in all aspects of life.

The programs we offer include:

First Call We train volunteers to support new and expectant parents and we share information with the medical community.

Sibling First Call We train volunteers to provide mentoring and support to the siblings of individuals with Down syndrome across the lifespan.

First Steps We provide one-to-one IEP mentoring to DS ACT members in collaboration with the Connecticut Parent Advocacy Center.

DS ACT Advocacy Avengers We facilitate a group for teens and adults who live with Down syndrome where they can practice social, advocacy and independent living skills in a fun, affirming and thought-provoking environment.

DS ACT Literacy and Education Center An initiative to support individuals with a Down syndrome learning profile through one-to-one and small group tutoring. The Center also provides academic evaluations, professional development and support to Connecticut school districts and training and research opportunities.

DS ACT Mini-Grants We financially support opportunities for community integration and inclusion of individuals who live with Down syndrome.

DS ACT Camp Grants DS ACT families are granted up to $500 to defray the cost of summer camp for their loved one with Down syndrome. This provides an opportunity for independence for the individual and a form of respite for caregivers.

Family Support Groups We hold social events for our members, and sponsor a network of regionally-based family support groups.

Family Hardship Support Committee Utilizing personal donations, personal connections and some DS ACT resources, the committee provides highly individualized “under the radar” support to families in need ranging from those encountering financial hardship to those with a loved one in the hospital who need a small pick-me-up.

DS ACT Step Up For Down Syndrome Walk Committee The Step Up For Down Syndrome Walk is our primary fundraiser and our largest public event. It celebrates the potential of people who live with Down syndrome and raises awareness.

DS ACT Rock Your Socks 5k Committee We are planning an inaugural 5k/10k fundraiser to support our Literacy Center.

DS ACT Awareness Committee We host public events celebrating the potential and accomplishments of individuals with Down syndrome in October and on World Down Syndrome Day; we facilitate donations of books about Down syndrome to schools and libraries; and we use social media campaigns to raise awareness.

Annual Convention and Workshops We educate and advocate for best practices in medical, educational and therapeutic interventions through workshops and an annual statewide convention.

DS ACT Social Media Team We foster communication and share information, using our website, social media and an e-newsletter.

DS ACT 800 Line We provide phone support to anyone in Connecticut with a concern related to Down syndrome.

Mailing address is DS ACT, 60 Peter Court, New Britain, CT 06051

Telephone: 888-486-8537. www.mydsact.org EIN: 06-1176478

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