From Paul Sawka: An Open Letter to Premier Redford
The Canadian Down Syndrome Society offers our support to the thousands of Albertans who will be affected by the proposed cuts to the Persons with Developmental Disabilities program. Paul Sawka, Awareness Leader, has written a letter to Premiere Redford regarding these cuts. Read it at his blog, or watch him read part of the letter by clicking below:
If you are a self-advocate who wants to speak out on an issue important to you, please let us know! Email us at
We would love to hear from you!
National Volunteer Week
It's National Volunteer Week, and Paul's got a message for all our amazing volunteers!
It says: "Thanks to the CDSS Volunteers for their hard work. You help us teach people to See the Ability!
From Paul Sawka
On behalf of the CDSS staff."
For more information: http://volunteer.ca/content/national-volunteer-week
Conference News: Early Bird Extended to April 28
Early bird has been extended to April 28!
Lauren Potter has a message for everyone!
Celebrate World Down Syndrome Day 2013!
It is World Down Syndrome Day (March 21)! World Down Syndrome Day gives people around the world the opportunity to recognize and celebrate the contributions made by people with Down syndrome.
Today, CDSS is proud to reveal the Canadian Down Syndrome Heroes, debut the 2013 "See the Ability" Photo Montage video, celebrate at Toronto Stock Exchange, and release our statement on Value-Neutral Language!
Canadian Down Syndrome Heroes
The Canadian Down Syndrome Society (CDSS) invites all Canadians to celebrate World Down Syndrome Day, March 21, 2013. To commemorate this day, CDSS has chosen five Canadian Down Syndrome Heroes. These Heroes are people with Down syndrome who lead exceptional lives and teach others to "See the Ability".
The 2013 Heroes are:
- David Hall, 22-years-old from Calgary, AB. David has given over 400 volunteer hours to Youth Central, a Calgary-based organization. He is a third-year broadcasting student at Mount Royal University.
- Katie Johnson, 25-years-old from Delta, BC. Katie has dedicated herself to lifelong learning and currently works at the Semiahmo House Society.
- Shawn McKenna, 25-years-old from Valleyfield, QC. Shawn is an athlete who recently appeared in the documentary Trisomie 21: le défi Pérou.
- Allan McNeill, 31-years-old from Burlington, ON. Allan is the first self-advocate (adult with Down syndrome) on the Board of the Halton Down Syndrome Association.
- Natalie Stevanus, 29-years-old from Bloomingdale, ON. Natalie is a figure skater and the Dining Room Manager at her local Williams Fresh Cafe.
The Heroes will be presented with $500.00 to put toward their education, a special goal or project, or to donate to another organization of their choice. These Heroes were nominated by people in their communities: parents, siblings, former teachers, and coaches.
Six other people were selected to be the Super Six (Honourable Mentions). They are: Ada Chan (Ottawa, ON), Angel Magnussen (Port Alberni, BC), Nicholas Chan (Vancouver, BC), Miranda Yates (Victoria, BC), Teresa Pinkoski (Sherwood Park, AB), and Adam Faulkner (Edmonton, AB).
Congratulations to our Heroes and Super Six!
Visit www.cdss.ca/network/heroes to learn more about them.
Canada's "See the Ability" Photo Montage for WDSD
Thanks to EVERYONE who participated in our first annual World Down Syndrome Day "See the Ability" Photo Montage. We got entries from all over Canada - and a few from around the world. Watch the video on YouTube. We hope it inspires you to teach others to "See the Ability"!
Join us on Facebook and Twitter as we celebrate at TSX!
CDSS is proud to celebrate World Down Syndrome Day, March 21, 2013, by opening the market at Toronto Stock Exchange. World Down Syndrome Day celebrates the lives of people with Down syndrome.
Twenty self-advocates, including Dave "The Wave" Cass of the Toronto Argonauts, and other representatives from the Down syndrome community will be at the TSX to celebrate. Check out our Facebook and Twitter accounts - we will be posting about the event throughout the day!
CDSS Releases Position Statement on Value-Neutral Language
Today, CDSS has released its official position on Value-Neutral Language. The position reads, in part:
