April 15-21 is Disabiilitiy Awareness Week in Texas!  The Gathering Place joins Texans across the state in celebrating the differences and gifts in all of us!

As part of Disability Awareness Week, The Gathering Place has begun their Accessibility Project.  The Casner Land Company has generously donated the building space to The Gathering Place, so now we need to make it accessible to people who are physically disabled.

The bathroom is being expanded to accommodate wheelchairs as well as the sidewalk at the entry door which needs to be raised 4 inches.

We are asking the community to join us in our effort to make the Gathering Place Accessible to everyone!  So far, we have had several volunteers including Joseph Sanchez, Israel Moralez, Gilbert Valenzuela, Dave Dumas and Sam White.  If you are interested in  helping, please let us know at 294-4028.

Press Release – World Down Syndrome Day will be celebrated in Alpine, TX
3-8-12
PRESS RELEASE – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ON THURSDAY MARCH 8, 2011

Big Bend Down Syndrome Association of Alpine, TX would like to invite the community to the Big Bend Down Syndrome Balloon Release happening on 3/21/12 at 1:00 pm at Kokernot Park.  This is part of the International World Down Syndrome Day celebration that is held around the world.
We would like to invite you to participate by releasing a balloon in the name of those you know who have Down syndrome.  There will be a short program about Down syndrome before we release the balloons.  We would like everyone to help us spread the word and invite your friends and families. For more information, go to http://bigbenddownsyndrome.org or call 432-294-4028.

Attached to this email is a promotional video about WDSD and a local event flyer for distribution.

Thank you
Big Bend Down Syndrome Association
PRESS RELEASE – United Nations adopts resolution to designate 21 March as “World Down Syndrome Day” from 2012 – Down Syndrome International, 16 November 2011

Wed, 2011-11-16
PRESS RELEASE – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ON WEDNESDAY 16 NOVEMBER 2011

Down Syndrome International is delighted to announce that a resolution to designate 21 March as “World Down Syndrome Day”, to be observed every year beginning in 2012, was adopted by consensus during the plenary meeting of the Third Committee of the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday 10 November 2011.

The resolution was proposed and promoted by Brazil, following an original request by the Brazilian Federation of Down Syndrome Associations, who worked with Down Syndrome International (DSi) and its members to launch an extensive campaign to generate international support. The resolution was eventually co-sponsored by 78 UN Member States.

Down syndrome groups and associations around the world campaigned for their governments to co-sponsor the resolution. In addition, DSi launched an international petition for the adoption of World Down Syndrome Day by the UN. This received more than 12,000 signatures in a 2 week period and was presented to the Chair of the Third Committee.

DSi has coordinated World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD) since 2006, held on 21 March (21/3) to signify the uniqueness of the triplication (trisomy) of chromosome 21 which causes the genetic condition Down syndrome. The aim of the day is to raise awareness and understanding of a condition which affects approximately 1 in 800 births worldwide, and to promote the inherent rights of persons with Down syndrome to enjoy full and dignified lives and be active participants in their communities and society.

Activities and events which take place on this day typically showcase the abilities and accomplishments of persons with Down syndrome and encourage independence, self-advocacy and freedom for persons with Down syndrome to make their own choices. To date, WDSD has been observed in over 60 countries around the world.

From 2012, the United Nations will invite all its Member States, relevant organisations of the UN system, international organisations, as well as civil society, including non-governmental organisations and the private sector, to observe WDSD and actively raise public awareness of Down syndrome.

This will ensure a major step forward towards our goal for WDSD to be observed and celebrated by persons with Down syndrome, their families and friends, those who live and work with them and all persons who wish to promote and ensure quality of life and human rights for all persons with Down syndrome.

DSi would like to thank everyone who has supported this campaign, with particular thanks to the Government of Brazil, the Brazilian  Federation of Down Syndrome Associations, all of our member organisations who appealed to their governments for support, and to everyone who signed our international petition.

-END-

For further information on World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD), please visit the DSi website www.ds-int.org or the WDSD website www.worlddownsyndromeday.org.

Press Contact:

Andrew Boys – Tel: 0044 (0)20 8614 5124 Mob: 0044 (0)7810 153294 Email: contact@ds-int.org

Down Syndrome International -
Langdon Down Centre, 2A Langdon Park, Teddington, Middlesex, United Kingdom, TW11 9PS.
Website: www.ds-int.org

Editors Notes:

Down Syndrome International (DSi) is a UK based international charity, comprising a membership of individuals and organisations from all over the world, committed to ensuring quality of life and human rights for all people with Down syndrome. Our members include people with Down syndrome, parents, family members and friends, carers, professionals, practitioners, researchers, organisations and people who are interested in Down syndrome.
World Down Syndrome Day is a global awareness day observed on 21 March each year. This date (21/3) represents the 3 copies of chromosome 21, which is unique to people with Down syndrome, and people and organisations worldwide celebrate on this day in a variety of different ways.
Down syndrome is a life-long genetic condition from conception. All people with Down syndrome will have some degree of learning disability but many will go on to lead full and semi-independent lives.
There is estimated to be up to 7 million people who have Down syndrome living worldwide.

A full life… doesn’t everyone deserve to try to have a full life?  There are those people who chose to sit back and watch life go by… and they have a right to do that.   But, there are people who sit back and watch life go by because they either don’t know any better, or they are restricted some how.  There is help out there for people who are challenged.  Do they have the right to access the help so that they can live a full life?  The Independent Living “Movement” and the Rehabilitation act of 1973 say that everyone has a right to Independence, self determination and full inclusion and integration in the Political, Social, Cultural and Educational Mainstream of the America.

Access for those with disabilities is a big part of the Rehabilitation Act – handicap accessible bathrooms, doors, sidewalks, etc.  Making things accessible to people with disabilities also makes it easier for seniors to get out, and a momma with a stroller.  The Regional Transportation Agency makes life easier for people with disabilities, and the elderly or ill.  Access is good for everyone.

Unfortunately, despite the fact that the Rehabilitation Act was passed almost 40 years ago, many people are unaware of their rights.  There are those in our community who become disabled, and become house bound at the same time because they have no idea there is help.  Disability can happen to any of us at any time.  Unfortunately, we are becoming more aware of disability because of so many disabled veterans. Some people live their whole life with a disability not accessing the support that is available to them.

Fortunately, there are Self-Advocates in our communities who have accessed these services and are willing to help others.  Seeing someone who is wheelchair bound with limited upper body mobility drive an accessible van is an inspiration for the man who has never even considered driving an option.  Seeing an artist with a disability who has a sense of accomplishment is an inspiration for the person with a disability who has a talent he / she can share.

In our modern day, there are so many technologies that have made life easier for us all.  Smart phones connect us to the web, email, our calendars, etc, but for the person who has a speech impairment, it makes communication possible for the first time.  Ipads are easy enough for many intellectually disabled folks to access the internet.  All these things make life fuller for those with disabilities.

The first step is to realize that you do not have to sit back and watch life go by… unless you want to.  Part of the Rehabilitation Act is the development of Centers for Independent Living.  This is a great first stop for those who want a fuller life.  In Alpine, TX, we are trying to start a community center that will model a Center for Independent Living.  If you are in the area, stop by!  105 N 7th Alpine, TX.