Down Syndrome Association - National Capital Region

Spring 2009 Newsletter Released!

The Spring 2009 newsletter is available online in the Resources section (in menu above).

Note that we are always looking for contributed articles for our newsletters. Please contact us if you have an idea!

DSA-NCR Annual Spring Picnic 27 June 2009, Hampton Park

The annual DSA-NCR spring picnic will return to Hampton Park this year. We are aiming to have activities for children of all ages. Come and meet other families in the DSA-NCR.

Date: Saturday 27 June
Location: Hampton Park, Ottawa

It is always a magical day -- don't miss it!

Adult Down Syndrome Medical Clinic

Notice: The Adult Down Syndrome Medical Clinic in now located at:

333 Preston St.

Suite 601

Ottawa, ON K1S 5N4

Telephone: 613-235-8079

Dr. Suzanne Rydzik sees individuals with Down syndrome over the age of 18 years.

* A referral is not necessary to schedule an appointment, although it is helpful.

Research on the coping mechanisms of families raising children with developmental disabilities

If you are a parent of a child with a developmental disability between the age of 3 and 12 years old, and are interested in participating in research on the coping mechanisms of families raising children with developmental disabilities, please visit the following link.

Sincerely,

Erin Shackell
(M.A. student, Saint Paul University & Primary researcher)

DSA-NCR 2009 Social Events Calendar

The 2009 DSA-NCR Social Events Calendar is now available. If you would like to help, of if you have an idea for a new event, please feel free to contact us.

Ontario makes Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) fully exempt!

On Nov 30th, the Goverment of Ontario agreed to make RDSP assets and withdrawls fully exempt such that they do not affect a person's disability pension. This is great news for the disabled community.

See Ontario's press release here.

See a description of the RDSP here.

Lifetime Networks hosts workshops on the Registered Disability Savings Plan. See their RDSPAdvisor site for details.

New Membership Application - 2009

Here are the latest versions of the membership forms. Please mail them into the address provided to help us keep our information current, even if you have already paid your membership fees for this year.

English Version Version français

Gloucester Association for Children with Special Needs (GACSN) Opening

The Gloucester Association for Children with Special Needs (GACSN) is a group dedicated to providing Special Needs children with a fun Saturday afternoon of swimming, crafts, and meeting friends.

The group meets each Saturday afternoon from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm at the Orleans Recreation Centre. From 1:00 to 2:30 the group goes swimming and then return to Hall D for crafts, games and music. The group also goes on various outings (movies, bowling, museums, etc) throughout the year.

A full group is 20 children with various special needs ranging in age from 8 years old to 25 years old. The program is staffed with a mixture of program staff and volunteers from local high schools and colleges and runs from mid September to June.

We are happy to let you know we have an opening right now and would love to have you join us. For more info contact: hannahirving at gmail.com.

DSA-NCR Environmental Scan and Strategic Planning Project

The DSA-NCR, with the help of Deloitte, has recently conducted an Environmental Scan and Strategic Planning Project. This major endeavour involved the participation of several board members and volunteers, and included a survey of past and present DSA-NCR members. This project has resulted in the following documents:

Some of these files are very large (i.e. > 1M)

Canadian Association for Community Living's Survey on Inclusion & Education

The Canadian Association for Community Living is conducting an online survey on inclusion and education. It would be great to include our experiences here in Ottawa in the survey. Please... fill it out.

Genetic Screening and Information for Parents

There is a growing debate over genetic screening for Down syndrome and the lack of information and councelling provided to parents who receive positive test results. See the following:

An article about a recent Panel Discussion on Genetic Screening and the lack of information given to parents.
The Campaign for Down syndrome blog has several commentaries and links to valuable information.
Consider signing the online petition stating that "Canada needs a Prenatal Diagnosed Condition Awareness Act". There are nearly 750 signatures already.

Mama Mia Sing Along Movie Night - 7pm Sun 9 Jan - Rainbow Theatre

MOVIE NIGHT OUT - A VERY SPECIAL SHOWING OF
Momma Mia (sing along version)

7pm Sunday, January 11th, 2009
Rainbow Theatre, St Laurent Shopping Centre

All people with special needs and their families and friends are welcome.
Tickets are $25 which includes movie, popcorn and drink. This is a special showing so please reserve a seat.

All proceeds will help adults with special needs travel to Florida in March as well as to Camp Misquah for their summer programs.

The first 35 adults with Down Syndrome are free!!!*

For more information, please call or email: Jill McKnight (613 731-9818)

Halloween Party & DSA-NCR 2009 AGM at the Science & Tech Museum, 24 October 2009

LOCATION:	Canada Science and Technology Museum 1867 St. Laurent Blvd at Lancaster Road Ottawa, Ontario K1G 5A3
DATE:	Saturday, October 24, 2009
TIMES:	TBA
REGISTRATION:	TBA
AGM :	TBA
FAMILY SOCIAL:	TBA

Past Events & Announcements

Past Events and Announcements