Happy New Year! - Down Syndrome Association

School Age Matters E-Newsletter
Happy New Year!
Starting off the new year, there are many opportunities to get involved in the
community. Most of the opportunities presented relate to the fine arts and allow you to
get creative– beyond school hours. I encourage you to get involved in an
empowerment class at the Down Syndrome Association of Greater Cincinnati or with
one of our community partners!
We still have spaces available in our Music Therapy with Melodic Connections class. Classes take
place on Tuesdays from February 16—March 29 (no class on March 8) in the DSAGC Hatton
Foundation Community Room from 6 - 7 PM. Click here to learn more and register.
Invite me to your school!
Peer Presentations. I can visit your child’s
classroom to discuss what Down syndrome is and how
people with Down syndrome are more LIKE everyone
else than they are different. Depending on age, I can
complete a variety of activities including reading to
young children, having self-advocates share their story
and have a Q&A session with older students.
I.E.P. Meetings. Bringing support along to an IEP
meeting is an important success factor. Whether it is a
spouse, teacher, or myself, support can help take
notes during the meeting and help reduce any anxiety.
I would love to be that support system for you at your
next meeting!
Joanie@dsagc.com
Looking for a night out with friends and family? The
DSAGC Annual Winter Dance has become one of
our signature celebratory events of the year!
Attendees range from couples on a date night, to
groups of friends, to teens and adults with Down syndrome. It's a packed party with good food, cocktails, live
music and dancing.
We will welcome Candygram 4 Mongo (formerly Weezy Jefferson but with a twist), who will entertain to get us
moving and grooving! They are a six piece funk/rock/party band that includes an energetic female vocalist
and a trombonist. Tickets will sell out, so we encourage you to purchase them early.
Ladies with Down syndrome - come get GLAM with
your friends before the Winter Dance from 2 - 4 PM at
the DSAGC Hatton Foundation Community Room. We’ll
provide snacks, drinks and have people on-site to help
with make-up, hair and nails. If you’d like to prep before
the dance, please RSVP to christyg@dsagc.com or
513.761.5400.
COLLEGE RESOURCES
2016 College Resources for Students with Disabilities
Transitioning to campus life can be a frightening prospect for any new
student, however many colleges have support services and
administrative offices to help students with disabilities apply, find
accommodations, traverse campus, and enroll in courses. It is
important to investigate school resources early as you decide where
to apply. After you are accepted into a college program, you should
keep in touch with administrators to learn about the accommodations
and academic adjustments you qualify for. The following timeline
includes tips and reminders that can make your application,
enrollment, and attendance processes easier.
WHILE APPLYING
 Profile colleges: Make sure you are applying to colleges that are
a good fit for your personal and academic interests and needs.
Consider campus resources, tuition rates, housing options, population sizes, majors, faculty, student
retention, graduation rates, and job placement rates before applying.

Schedule a visit: See just how accessible classrooms and campus resources are by scheduling tours
with prospective colleges. This is typically arranged with an admissions office. Visit student services
offices and buildings that correspond with your desired major, since you will likely spend a lot of time in
these areas.

Meet with Student Services: Many campuses have student services offices dedicated to serving
individuals with disabilities. The staff members at these offices generally work with college
administrators to ensure compliance with disability legislation and serve as advocates to create
inclusive policies. These offices can serve as a primary point of contact for information on accessible
accommodations, documentation requirements, and services found on campus.

Contact Student Housing Services: If you plan to live on campus, check with residence hall
administrators to learn about accessible dorms, dining halls, and parking.

Try Free Online Courses: Massive online open courses (MOOCs) are courses available for free
online by companies like Coursera or Udacity. Many MOOCs have no enrollment requirements
whatsoever, and the materials for the courses tend to be available exclusively online. Enrolling in a
MOOC can help you gain an understanding of the academic work, group collaboration, and time
commitments required at the collegiate level.
BEFORE CLASS ENROLLMENT
 Send in Documentation: In order for colleges to provide accessible accommodations and academic
adjustments, you need to provide the administration with medical documentation of your disability.
According to the U.S. Department of Education, this documentation can include current disability
diagnoses, paperwork that covers your doctor’s credentials, or medical and academic reports on the
impact your disability has on your academic life.

Check in with Student Services: It is important to work together with your college’s student services
office during the course enrollment process; you might be eligible for adjustments such as priority class
registration. Some additional services colleges provide are:
* Testing accommodations
* Sign language interpreters
* Braille transcriptions
* Audio recordings of lectures
* Note-taking
* Seating accommodations
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS
SECTION 504 of the Rehabilitation Act is one of the earliest federal pieces of legislation for
disability rights. Through public sit-ins, lobbying, and activist demonstrations, ACCD was able to sway
Jimmy Carter’s administration to ensure Section 504 compliance, which, in turn, paved the way for
subsequent amendments. To learn more of the following, visit http://www.bestcolleges.com/resources/
disabled-students/.
 Who does Section 504 cover?
 Receiving Adjustments
 504 Limitations
 Additional Legislation
 Filing Grievances
COPAA Supports ESSA Amending the Elementary and Secondary Education Act
COPAA, the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates, supported the Every Student Succeeds
Act (ESSA) amending the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). The house passed the
ESSA in December, a bill that will replace the No Child Left Behind Act “by a vote of 359 to 64” (Marshall,
COPAA 2015). COPAA has been working often and hard to inform legislatures to help ensure that every
child continues to have equal access to a high-quality education.
“It maintains a focus on student academic achievement with requirements to focus Title I dollars on the
annual measurement, reporting and basic accountability for the achievement of all students.
Key provisions seek to prevent the overuse and abuse of applying alternate standards and utilizing
alternate assessments through a required state-level participation cap on these tests. The cap will help
states work with districts to ensure that only the students for whom it is appropriate are placed on a state’s
alternate academic achievement standard and therefore tested via an alternate assessment. ” (Marshall,
COPAA 2015). To learn more about COPAA or the ESSA, visit http://copaa.site-ym.com/.
FUN STUFF IN THE COMMUNITY
Small Voices
Big Hearts
Fashion Celebration
“The goal of the Small Voices Count Big Hearts Fashion Celebration is to bring children with different
abilities and disabilities down the runway/stage together. The celebration will also include multiple local
district law enforcement/fire officers on the runway/stage with the children. The purpose is to encourage
unity and build trust. We believe that by building trust and unity in our community can help to promote a
greater level of respect for our law enforcement and among our children.”
Date: Saturday, February 27, 2016
Time: 3:30-5:00 PM
Location: The Studio located in Northgate Mall
Interested in participating? Contact Shonda Moore, SVC Fashion Show Executive Director
513-885-6053 | smallvoicescount2@gmail.com
Special Clothes for Special People is epicenter of the mission
of Downs Designs. “Families from across the county share
their stories with us. Too often, independence comes at a high
price for individuals with special needs and their families.
Downs Designs Dreams provides clothing that allows those
with special needs to dress independently and confidently.
Every Friday, we donate our designer jeans to some of these families. We call it our Adopt-a-Jean
Friday project. Our jeans offer a clothing solution that fits properly, is sensory friendly, and
fashionable. Our jeans are easy to manipulate with their custom features. As a non-profit, we are
on a mission to increase the number of individuals and families we serve on a weekly basis. Did
you know you can help those around you with this program?” For more information,
www.downsdesigndreams.org.
Night to Shine Prom
Sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation, Christ’s Church at Mason is hosting a Night to Shine
prom event. Please sign up early to reserve your space!
Friday, February 12, 2016 | 6-9pm | 16+ years
To register a guest, click here: Bit.ly/2016PromGuest
To learn more, visit: http://www.timtebowfoundation.org/index.php/night-to-shine-outreach/
Performing Arts, Inc.
presents
Musical Theater Program for Children with Special Developmental Needs
By utilizing the benefits of the musical and dramatic
arts to nurture growth and practice skills through song, dance, and
character development, students will be given the opportunity to explore
and succeed while preparing for a fun, interactive theatrical production.
Featuring a Charlie Brown original musical
Grades 1-6
Rehearsals: begin February 16 on Tuesdays (6 - 7PM)
Performances: June 17 and 18 at the Sharonville Cultural Arts Center
11165 Reading Road, Cincinnati, OH 45241
Participation fee is $80, contact Tina Lukondi 513-257-4482
www.performingartsinc.net
Family Financial Advocate Program
If your child has 4 or more medical appointments a year at Cincinnati Children’s…..
There is help!
Myth: My family makes too much to qualify for assistance.
Fact: There are programs available that can help reduce the burden of your
medical expenses. A family of 4 could make up to $97,000 per year and possibly qualify
for assistance.
HELP IS AVAILABLE
Family Financial Advocates assist families who need
additional financial resources to cover medical bills for
their chronically ill child. We identify and help families
apply for programs including: Medicaid, BCMH, Social
Security, Developmental Disabilities Services, Financial
Assistance, and non-profits. Our advocates can assist
families throughout the United States. In addition, they can
assist with complicated billing issues.
For more information please contact an Intake
Specialist for the Family Financial Advocate Team by
phone 513.803.6500 or email FFA@cchmc.org
COMMUNITY GROUPS
A Community Group is designed to create opportunities for families that have children with Down
syndrome to network and share common interests, concerns, challenges and information. They do
this through community events, informational meetings, Facebook webpages or playgroups.
AREA SPECIFIC GROUPS
B & W Group
Serving families in Butler and Warren counties
BACH Group
Serving families in Brown, Adams, Clinton, Highland and surrounding
counties
Eastside Group
Serving families in the Cincinnati Eastside area and downtown Cincinnati
KIDS Group
“Kentuckian’s Interested in Down Syndrome” serves families in Northern
Kentucky
Westside Group
Serving families in the Cincinnati Westside area and downtown Cincinnati
SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS
African American Family Network
Serving families by providing information, support and networking
D.A.D.S Group
Discussion and networking on the aspects of being the father of a child with
Down syndrome
Hispanic Family Group
Social and educational opportunities for Spanish
speaking families
513.490.2834 Marina
DSAGC Teen Group
Serving teens ages 13 - 18 through social opportunities
and networking for parents
Grandparents Group
Networking, sharing and social opportunities for
grandparents of all ages!
COMMUNITY GROUPS COORDINATOR
Amy Iten | 513.761.5400 | AmyI@dsagc.com
BIRTH YEAR
GROUPS
serving families of children with Down
syndrome born in specific years
2011
(Extra) Ordinary Friends
2012
12T21 Group
2013
T21QTs
(aka T21 Cuties!)
2014
T21QTs - ‘14
(aka T21 Cuties!)
2015
2016
JANUARY CALENDAR
Sunday
3
Monday
4
Tuesday
5
Wednesday
6
11
12
13
6p D.A.D.S. Meeting
17
7
Friday
18
19
14
2
12a DSAGC Office Closed
12a DSAGC
Office Closed
8
9
1p Westside
Community
Group - New
Years Party
4p Buddy Up
Tennis (ages 5 &
up)
15
6:15p Cheerleadin
g (ages 6 - 18)
20
12a DSAGC Office Closed
21
Saturday
1
6:30p Butler/
Warren Community Group - Ladies' Annual
White Elephant
Potluck and Exchange
12a DSAGC
Office Closed
10
Thursday
16
8:30a Eastside
Mom's Day Out Brunch at Sleepy
Bee Cafe
22
6:15p Cheerleadin
g (ages 6 - 18)
23
10a Physical
Therapy (ages 03)
12p Eastside Group Meet Up
4p Buddy Up
Tennis (ages 5 &
up)
24
25
31
1:15p Comm
unity Group
Leaders Team
Building
Workshop
4p Westside
Community
Group - Parents Night
Out
26
27
28
6:15p Music
Therapy (ages 3 6)
6:15p Cheerleadin
g (ages 6 - 18)
29
30
10a Physical
Therapy (ages 03)
1p Advocates In
Action (ages 18
& up)