What is the Canadian Down Syndrome Conference?
The Canadian Down Syndrome Conference acts as a platform to share current developments and information from experts in their respective fields, as they relate to Down syndrome. Information in the fields of education, aging, health care, research, and advocacy will be shared with members of the community in the form of plenary/keynote speakers, panel discussions, and presentations.
The 32nd Canadian Down Syndrome Conference took place in Victoria, British Clumbia, May 10 to 12, 2019.
“The first few conferences I went to were about learning about my son. The next were about making his life as great as I could. Now that he’s a teenager, the conference has been about inspiration for his future.”
– Sheena, Parent Advocate
See the planned activities and programs of 2019’s Down syndrome conference.
Meet the speakers and special guests and learn about the sessions of 2019’s conference.
Who should attend the Down syndrome conference?
The conference is best suited for all people with Down syndrome, their families, their friends, and representatives from parallel organizations within the disability community. Other interested groups may include health care professionals and educational professionals.
Read The Importance of the Canadian Down Syndrome Conference
Conference Goals
Fulfill the Canadian Down Syndrome Society’s mission: “To empower Canadians with Down syndrome and their families. We raise awareness and provide information on Down syndrome through the prenatal, early childhood, school years, adulthood, and retirement stages of life.”
Create an opportunity for people with Down syndrome and their families to come together and develop relationships, learn and share, and connect with others from across the country.
Celebrate the accomplishments Canadians with Down syndrome have achieved this year, contributions they’ve made to their communities, and their role as an integral part of the family.
Use this opportunity to work directly with our membership to ensure that the CDSS is Canada’s national voice, representing citizens with Down syndrome, working towards a Canada where all are welcome, we embrace diversity, and we value everyone’s genes equally.
2018 Theme
Building Bridges
Upcoming and Past Locations
We are proud to have celebrated the conference in different cities across Canada. The conference location changes each year, with the hopes of reaching as many Canadians as possible.
| Year | City/Town | Theme |
| 1987 | Calgary | Growing Up With Down Syndrome |
| 1988 | Ottawa | Symposium 88 |
| 1989 | Victoria | Preparing for the Year 2000 |
| 1990 | Toronto | Count Us In |
| 1991 | Halifax | Down East, Learning Together |
| 1992 | Calgary | Building Our Future |
| 1993 | Moncton | Accept the Challenge |
| 1994 | Vancouver | Opening Doors |
| 1995 | Niagara | Falls Making a Difference |
| 1996 | Montreal | Grow with Us/Grandir Avec Nous |
| 1997 | Edmonton | Celebrate With Us |
| 1999 | Victoria | Growing Together |
| 2000 | Sydney | Welcome to the Millennium, We Rise Again |
| 2001 | Edmonton | Making It Happen |
| 2002 | Winnipeg | From the Heart |
| 2003 | Vancouver | Explore Beyond |
| 2004 | St.John’s | More Than Meets The Eye |
| 2005 | Waterloo | Region Common Threads |
| 2006 | Vancouver | World Down Syndrome Conference |
| 2007 | Calgary | Ups and Downs |
| 2008 | Ottawa | Celebrating the Next 20 Years |
| 2009 | Halifax | . |
| 2010 | Regina | . |
| 2011 | Vancouver | . |
| 2012 | Toronto | The 25th Anniversary |
| 2013 | Winnipeg | Celebrate Diversity |
| 2014 | Fredericton | Discover Hidden Potential |
| 2015 | Edmonton | Celebrate with us in Festival City |
| 2016 | Montreal | Under the Montreal Lights |
| 2017
2018 2019 |
Banff
Hamilton Victoria |
Explore New Heights
Building Bridges Island of Possibilities |