The Premier Resource for Down Syndrome Info, Networking & Advocacy in MA and beyond
The MDSC strives to ensure all individuals with Down syndrome in Massachusetts are valued, included, and given opportunities to pursue fulfilling lives by providing information, networking opportunities, and advocacy for people with Down syndrome and their families, educators, health care professionals, and the community-at-large.
The MDSC was founded in 1983 when parents met in a living room to share information about their children, provide support for each other and strategize how to educate their families, schools and communities. More than three decades later, the MDSC has over 3,500 members, an energetic Board of Directors, a dynamic management team, and a vision to ensure that every person with Down syndrome has the opportunity to reach his or her full potential.
Today, with our wealth of connections and expertise, the MDSC is prepared to meet the needs of all our families on a number of levels through longstanding, proven programs and bold new initiatives. The MDSC offers a broad array of programs to serve people with Down syndrome and their families throughout the state, including: our signature Parent's First Call Program, a volunteer, state-wide group of trained parent mentors available 24/7 that is a national model; two major annual conferences and an adult conference, which draw national and international experts in their fields; a Buddy Walkยฎ Program that includes 3 Buddy Walks throughout the state; our Your Next Star employment initiative, which is opening the eyes of employers to the value of employees with Down syndrome; Self-Advocate Programs like Advocates in Motion and our Self-Advocate Advisory Council, which provide opportunities for teens and adults with Down syndrome while making empowerment a central component; and our public policy program, which has passed major legislation on the state level and been a leader nationally.
