Buddy Walk on Washington

Success!

2010-03-02T10:42:00.000-08:00

On February 24th and 25th 2010, NDSS brought together almost 200 advocates for people with Down syndrome and their families (including many self-advocates) in Washington D.C. to send a strong message to elected officials about important national policy priorities.

The event kicked off with an interactive training, which prepared all participants for their experiences on Capitol Hill and shared new strategies for successful advocacy. The trainings included detailed information about national policy priorities (including authorizations of the ABLE Bill and the 21 Act and appropriations for the Kennedy Brownback Bill).

That evening at the reception and award ceremony, NDSS honored Down syndrome leaders and advocates from across the country. Steve Beck and Alex Reid were honored for their work on the ABLE Bill. Doris Erhart was given an award to recognize her governmental affairs work with the Down Syndrome Association of Central Oklahoma, NDSS and AIA. Governmental Affairs Committees from Indiana and Maryland were awarded honors for their state-level advocacy work and John Anton, a young man with Down syndrome, was named the NDSS Advocate of the Year. John has been an advocate in Massachusetts working with legislators, policy makers, and disability advocates for over 10 years.

The next day, the group traveled to Capitol Hill, where they enjoyed a breakfast honoring members of the House and Senate who have worked tirelessly to protect the rights and improve the lives of people with Down syndrome. Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Congressman Pete Sessions and Congressman Anders Crenshaw all addressed the group, as did a representative from Senator Casey's office and NDSS self-advocate Erin Thompson. After breakfast, groups met privately with the elected officials from their home states.

Madeleine Will, Vice President of Public Policy at NDSS said, "The Buddy Walk on Washington was such an important and successful opportunity for the Down syndrome community to communicate their needs and priorities to decision-makers in Washington D.C. We know, though, that this work doesn't end today, but will continue as each group who came to Washington continues to cultivate their relationship with their members throughout the year."

NDSS plans to return to the Hill for the Buddy Walk on Washington again in February 2011.

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BUDDY WALK ON WASHINGTON PARTICPANTS: Be sure to return your meeting feedback forms to NDSS via mail, email, or fax.

Also, make sure each office receives a thank you note from your group. It is nice to include a picture of your group with the member if you were able to take one. In the thank you note, you can address any questions that you were asked and agreed to answer later. You may also want to provide additional information on the legislative priorities that were discussed at your meeting.

Snow...

2010-02-17T09:28:00.001-08:00

It snowed in DC last week, shutting down many offices and keeping staff members away from their desks. If you have submitted a meeting request, but not heard back, today is the perfect post-storm day to check in with the offices of your elected officials to confirm your meetings!

The most important and impactful thing we will do in Washington is to meet with Congressman, Senators and their staff. These meetings are invaluable in creating greater understanding of and support for people with Down syndrome.

If you have not already faxed your meeting request to your elected official please do so as soon as possible. There is a sample meeting request that can be downloaded from the Buddy Walk on Washington webpage at www.ndss.org.

If you have already scheduled a meeting, but have not been in touch with NDSS please do so with our easy online form. It is vital that you alert NDSS to any and all meetings that you schedule as soon as possible. All meetings should be scheduled and entered online by February 19th.

If you have any questions, or require any support or assistance, please call 800-221-4602 or email bfinkelstein@ndss.org.

Legislative Priorities

2010-02-11T12:50:00.000-08:00

There is new information on the Buddy Walk on Washington webpage all about the national legislative priorities that will be discussed at the Buddy Walk on Washington!

New Information!

2010-02-03T06:44:00.001-08:00

There is new information on the Buddy Walk on Washington website about things to do in Washington D.C. and places to eat while at the Capitol!

Getting Ready!

2010-02-02T11:05:00.000-08:00

Getting ready to attend the Buddy Walk on Washington, but need to review information about the event? Need information on how to prepare for and schedule meetings with elected officials? Our webinar power point is now on the Buddy Walk on Washington section of www.ndss.org!

One more reason to join the Buddy Walk on Washington

2010-01-22T09:34:00.000-08:00

Did you know that if a person with Down syndrome (or another disability) has more than $2,000 worth of assets, they can risk losing all of their Federal benefits?

This creates a major obstacle to employment and independent living for people with Down syndrome!

Do you want to help ensure policy is in place that helps people with Down syndrome to save money so that they can be independent and achieve their life aspirations? The Buddy Walk on Washington is a unique opportunity to speak directly to our elected officials on issues important to people with Down syndrome and their families including the ABLE Act.

The ABLE Act allows for the establishment of tax-exempt financial security accounts for individuals with disabilities to pay certain expenses, including: medical and dental care, education, community based supports, employment training, assistive technology, housing, and transportation. The legislation prohibits amounts held by, or paid or distributed from any ABLE accounts from being treated as income or assets when determining eligibility for benefits provide by any Federal benefits program.

Discuss this and other important issues with your representatives on Capitol Hill on February 24th and 25th as part of the Buddy Walk on Washington. For more information, click here or call 800-221-4602.

Camp PALS!

2010-01-15T07:20:00.000-08:00

The Buddy Walk on Washington was featured on the Camp PALS Blog! http://blog.camppals.org

We Need Your Help

2010-01-14T09:40:00.000-08:00

A message from Madeleine Will:

Advocacy Day is an invaluable opportunity to meet with your Congressional representatives (and their staff) in Washington, DC where they decide issues of critical importance to you.

You can send the invitation to Advocacy Day to friends who may be willing to come to Washington for two days in February to help change their own life (if you are a self-advocate) and the lives of your children and siblings with Ds.

You can meet with your Member of Congress or staff to discuss the future you want as a self-advocate or the future you want for your child or adult with Ds.

You can identify people in your district that can help us with our important legislative priorities.

With your participation in our NDSS Advocacy Day, you can help us grow an army of advocates and together we can send a powerful message to our elected officials

Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers Urges You to Attend the Buddy Walk on Washington!

2009-12-21T14:41:00.000-08:00

Congresswoman McMorris Rodgers, a member of the Down Syndrome Caucus and a mother of a young boy with Down syndrome hopes to see many advocates on the hill this February for the Buddy Walk on Washington. Cathy told us, "The Buddy Walk on Washington brings the local community and the Nation’s Capitol together to celebrate the accomplishments of individuals with Down syndrome and to educate elected representatives on those issues affecting the Down syndrome community.”

Nominate a Self-Advocate!

2009-12-17T12:03:00.000-08:00

Self-advocates are at the heart of advocacy in the Down syndrome community. Self-advocates are an integral part of all legislative and policy initiatives.

To this end, NDSS would like to recognize an outstanding self-advocate who has distinguished him or herself in the area of public policy as the NDSS Advocate of the Year.

Currently, we are requesting nominations from our affiliates.

If you wish to nominate an individual for the NDSS Advocate of the Year, please take note of the following:

All nominations should be emailed to Beth Finkelstein at bfinkelstein@ndss.org

All nominations must be received by January 20th, 2010

The nomination email should include: your name and contact your information, the name and contact information of the person you wish to nominate, and a brief summary explaining why this person should receive the award

The honoree will be decided by committee and notified of the award. The NDSS Advocate of the Year award is given at the Buddy Walk on Washington in Washington D.C. (February 24, 2010). Ideally, the award recipient will be able to attend.

If you have any questions or concerns please email Beth Finkelstein at bfinkelstein@ndss.org

2009-11-13T06:44:00.001-08:00

The Buddy Walk on Washington will be a powerful way for advocates in the Down syndrome community to:

Meet and create positive relationships with policy makers; relationships which can become long term partnerships
Connect with other Down syndrome advocates from around the country
Learn new strategies for successful advocacy
Send a strong message from the Down syndrome community about important national policy goals, including improvements for education, research, healthcare and more
Educate elected officials about the strengths and needs of their constituents with Down syndrome

Below you will find information about registering, attending, preparing for and enjoying the Buddy Walk on Washington. For even more information, and a behind the scenes look at what the two days have in store, you will soon be able to check out our Buddy Walk on Washington blog!