Media Contact:
Christina P. Reaves, Executive Director
North Carolina Down Syndrome Alliance
(984) 200-1193
7951 Monument Ln, Suite 101
Raleigh, NC 27615
christina@NCDSAlliance.org
www.ncdsalliance.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
North Carolina Down Syndrome Alliance Held 2019 Conference
The Second Annual NC Statewide Down Syndrome Conference offered valuable resources serving individuals with Down syndrome, their parents, educators and healthcare providers.
RALEIGH, NC (November 18, 2019) – Christina Reaves, Executive Director, announced today that more than 210 attendees gathered at the North Carolina Down Syndrome Alliance’s 2019 Conference held November 16 at Wake Tech Community College campus in North Raleigh. This conference offered resource exhibits, a networking lunch and 18 breakout sessions (three presented in Spanish) providing information and resources to families, educators, healthcare providers and older teens and adults with Down syndrome.
Breakout session topics included Circles of Support – Benefits and Services, Speech, Language and Literacy Among Students with Down Syndrome, and several others covering education, behavior, assistive technology, Tweens and Teens, and advances in Down syndrome research. The plenary speaker, Dennis E. McGuire, LCSW, Ph.D. discussed Promoting Strengths and Adaptive Resources in Persons with Down Syndrome in his keynote address. Several people with Down syndrome had roles at the conference including Sam Hening who presented about his journey to independence, while Matthew Schwab promoted his public speaking business.
“This was a full day of learning, working and sharing to benefit individuals of all ages with Down syndrome,” said Christina Reaves. “We continue to expand our reach throughout North Carolina to provide programs, workshops and support for individuals with Down syndrome, their families and the communities where they choose to live.”
Silver sponsors for this event included the North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities, The Arc North Carolina, and Cardinal Innovations Healthcare.
About North Carolina Down Syndrome Alliance (NCDSA)
The NCDSA’s mission is to empower, connect, and support the lifespan of individuals with Down syndrome, their families, and the community through outreach, advocacy, and education in North Carolina. It is an effective, compassionate, and comprehensive resource on Down syndrome throughout North Carolina. NCDSA envisions a culture in which all people with Down syndrome are empowered to achieve their full potential and live healthy, productive lives as valued citizens within the fabric of society.
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