NC Statewide Conference
Saturday, April 27, 2024
Alamance Community College
1247 Jimmie Kerr Rd
Graham, NC 27253
Conveniently located off I/40 & I/85
Click Here to Register for the Conference
Online registration closes April 21st
View Detailed Conference Schedule
Información e inscripción para las sesiones en español
The North Carolina Down Syndrome Alliance (NCDSA) is proud to host the North Carolina Down Syndrome Conference. Held annually in the spring, the statewide conference brings together nationally and regionally recognized experts in their fields. Conference sessions cover diverse topics relevant across the lifespan of individuals with Down syndrome. Everyone who supports a person with Down syndrome and other intellectual disabilities is encouraged to attend.
- Keynote address
- 15 Breakout sessions
- Self-advocate track (age 16 and older) A full day of programming, skills building, and Karaoke
- Specific sessions presented in Spanish
- Networking opportunities
- Exhibits and resources
- Breakfast and lunch included
Keynote Session:
Addressing Bias in Healthcare for People with Down Syndrome
Presented by:
Brian Chicoine, MD
Medical Director, Advocate Medical Group Adult Down Syndrome Center
Faculty, Family Medicine Residency, Advocate Lutheran General Hospital
Progress has been made in reducing bias against people with Down syndrome. However, significant bias persists in health care as evidenced by the experiences of many people with intellectual disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this session, Brian Chicoine, MD, will describe bias in health care, define ableism, share clinical examples, and facilitate a discussion of strategies to address bias in health care and the role individuals with Down syndrome and their families can play in the process.
Brian Chicoine, MD, is the medical director of the Advocate Medical Group Adult Down Syndrome Center in Park Ridge, Illinois. He is on the faculty of the Family Medicine residency at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital. He received his medical degree from Loyola University of Chicago Stritch School of Medicine and completed his family medicine residency at Lutheran General Hospital. In 1992, Dr. Chicoine co-founded the Adult Down Syndrome Center, which has served and documented the health and psychosocial needs of over 6,000 adolescents and adults with Down syndrome since its inception. Dr. Chicoine has provided medical care for adults with intellectual disabilities for over 30 years and has presented and written extensively on caring for adults with Down syndrome.
View Detailed Conference Schedule
Support the North Carolina Down Syndrome Conference
Individuals with Down syndrome are reaching milestones and accomplishing goals like never before. This happens when families, caregivers, educators, and healthcare providers have accurate information about Down syndrome, access to best practices, and quality resources.
Conference Flyer – English
Conference Flyer – Spanish
NCDSA is in search of dedicated sponsors and individuals to join us in creating a transformative event:
Sponsorship Opportunities
Volunteer Opportunities
Where to stay:
NCDSA has reserved a block of rooms (2 Queens or 1 King) for a base rate of $139 (excluding taxes and fees) at the Fairfield Inn and Suites, Mebane for Friday, April 26, 2024. Rooms are available on a first come first served basis and must be reserved by March 29, 2024.
Book your group rate for NC Down Syndrome Conference
Conference funding:
There are several resources to assist with the cost of attending the 2024 North Carolina Down Syndrome Conference.
Conference Scholarship Application – A limited number of $50 scholarships have been made available through the Exceptional Children’s Assistant Center (ECAC). Please submit your application no later than Thursday, April 18th to be considered for the scholarship. Recipients will be contacted on a rolling basis until all scholarships have been awarded. ECAC sponsored scholarships are only available to family members of a person with a disability and who reside in North Carolina.
North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities (NCCDD) Jean Wolff-Rossi Fund for Participant Involvement Fund – Rossi Funds are available to reimburse individuals for are variety of conference expenses. NCCDD Rossi Fund
First in Families North Carolina (FIFNC) – Families or the individual must live in a county served by the FIF Chapter and must meet financial eligibility requirements. Contact your local FIF Chapter. FIFNC Get Help
NC Innovations Waiver recipient family members may apply for Natural Support Education funding through their Local Management Entity/Managed Care Organization (LME/MCO). Locate your LME/MCO
Thank You To Our 2024 Conference Sponsors
What attendees said about previous conferences?
As a retired educator, who has a daughter with Down syndrome, I’ve been to my share of conferences over the years. I can honestly say this is one of the best I have ever been Involved in. The speakers are excellent, very plain spoken, honest, and had great visuals. The information is very useful. And I am so thankful to finally see conferences that offer sessions on young adults/adults with Down syndrome, not just young children. After all, all of our children are going to age!
Thanks for planning and organizing this conference in these unprecedented times. It was great to listen to all the speakers about different topics. Thanks again for making this possible!
I look forward to this conference every year. Lots of great information, resources & presenters are very knowledgeable. Thank you to all who work hard to put this together.
I’m glad we have this resource. Thank you.
