Upcoming Events
DSIA events are open to the entire family (unless noted otherwise)! Please join us! Registration is required for all events, closes when noted, space could be limited and events may be cancelled if minimum number of registrants is not reached.
Step-Up for Down syndrome Walk
Join the Down Syndrome Information Alliance as we celebrate and connect our community, unite for a common cause, and raise funds at the 2024 Step Up for Down Syndrome Walk. Whether you have Down syndrome, know someone who does, or just want to show your support, take the first step and donate or register today! Help us spread the word; all are welcome to participate in our day of celebration!
The Step Up for Down Syndrome is our annual community event designed to raise funds for programs supporting people with Down syndrome in the Sacramento and surrounding areas.
Registration Info
Registration table and exhibitors will be present starting at 9:00am with the one-mile walk occurring at 10:00am. There will be food trucks, entertainment, and activities after the event.
Follow this link to learn more, register or donate. This is your chance to support DSIA and give back! Join 100s of families as we unite to raise awareness and celebrate acceptance!
If you have any questions, feel free to message us here or you can email lisa@downsyndromeinfo.org.
Registration Fees:
- $15 – early bird child:ages 11 & under by 7/31 (t-shirt included)
- $20 – early bird adult: by 7/31 (t-shirt included)
- $20 – regular child:8/1- 9/8 (t-shirt included)
- $25 – regular adult:8/1 -9/8 (t-shirt included)
- *After 9/6, t-shirts not included.
Monies raised are used for:
- Providing new or expectant parents with a comprehensive guide to Down syndrome and one-on-one peer support
- Sponsorships to educational workshops and appointments
- Conduct Healthcare Outreach – providing medical professionals with up-to-date information about Down syndrome.
- Opportunities for social connections among families
- Conducting Medical Outreach – educating the medical community on how to present a diagnosis of Down Syndrome in a compassionate manner and how to refer families to DSIA for support.
Need some gear to celebrate the Step Up Walk, Run and Down Syndrome Awareness Month? Or to advocate all year long? We have you covered! CLICK HERE to get your advocacy gear now!
Special Thanks to Our Sponsors
Family Mentor Program
Provides support, networking, and information to families as they get a new diagnosis for their newly born or expected child. We are currently expanding this program to have mentors for all ages, grandparents and siblings!
Click here for more information
Educational Speaker Series
Expert speakers and workshops on various topics such as speech therapy, social security, nutrition, education, special needs trusts, and the list goes on! See our current list of workshops.
Click here for more information.
Community Network Events
Opportunities for families and individuals with Down syndrome of all ages to network and get support. See our current list of events.
Hospital Outreach Program
Provides up-to-date information and resources to hospitals and medical professionals. Contact info@downsyndromeinfo.org if you’d like DSIA to do a presentation for doctors, nurses, staff, or medical students in your organization!
Information and Referral
We are responsive to all requests for information via phone, email, or Web. If you need immediate support, please contact our 24 Hour Support Hotline at 916.842.7175 and you will be connected to our Family Mentor Program Coordinator. You can always make a referral online by following THIS LINK. Or feel free to contact us for any other information.
Downsyndromeinfo.org
Current, comprehensive information, links to helpful resources, and current events for our community. Continue to browse our Website to take full advantage of this resource!
Down Comforter Package
When families receive a new diagnosis of Down syndrome, each family is given a package full of resources including our parent guide containing information on Down syndrome and messages of hope and inspiration, DSIA’s original books featuring local families, and much more! Learn more about the support we provide
Self-Advocate and Family Events
Fun, exciting, and educational social opportunities offered year-round. Check out our calendar to see what we have planned!
eNewsletter
Bi-Monthly newsletters providing information about events, resources, advocacy, etc. Contact us and ask to receive our eNewsletter, or complete the subscription request here.
Outreach and Advocacy
We work with educators, healthcare professionals, and other community members to help us achieve our mission.
Northern California is rich with opportunity for our families of children with Down syndrome and other developmental disabilities to stay active, participate in their community and learn new skills!
Camp PALS
Their mission is mission is to create immersive experiences for young adults with Down syndrome and their peers.
WarmLine Family Resource Center
WarmLine provides resources, support, training and consultation to families of children with special needs birth to age 26 in 26 counties of Northern California.
Therapeutic Recreation Services (TRS)
Therapeutic Recreation Services (TRS) provides therapeutic recreation opportunities for individuals with disabilities residing in Sacramento County.
Access Leisure
Access Leisure is a program of the City of Sacramento Department of Parks and Recreation. Access Leisure provides sports, residential camping and outdoor education as well as social and fitness programs for children, teens, and adults with disabilities.
Special Olympics of Northern California
Special Olympics transforms lives through the joy of sport, every day, everywhere. They are the world’s largest sports organization for people with intellectual disabilities: with more than 4.5 million athletes in 170 countries — and millions more volunteers and supporters.
Challenge Sports of California
Challenge Sports of California, an all-volunteer organization, provides year round team sports for school age athletes with developmental and/or physical disabilities. They offer soccer, basketball, bowling and trampoline in a safe, fun and positive environment.
First Tee of Greater Sacramento
The First Tee of Greater Sacramento is one of The First Tee’s largest chapters and a leader in the field of programs for teens and the disabled. The First Tee of Greater Sacramento has three site courses and eleven affiliate courses in the Greater Sacramento area. They have created a true farm system that supports children as young as 3 until they reach college.
Goals
GOALS provides opportunities for individuals with physical and intellectual disabilities to participate in community activities that they would naturally enjoy if they were not disabled. At this time we offer bowling, golf, and an annual family picnic.
California Eagles Golf Program
The core goal of our disabled golf program is to help participants become comfortable while at the golf course, as well as preparing them to play on their own. Through small group lessons, focusing on all areas of the game and on course instruction, it is our priority that students have fun while learning valuable skills for the golf course and life. Groups meet on a weekly basis with the same group and coach to ensure a comfortable and welcoming environment.
Camp ReCreation
Camp ReCreation provides residential summer camp program and year round activities for participants with developmental disabilities.
A Touch of Understanding Youth Force
Calling Youth of ALL abilities, grades 3 and up: Come join for fun, friendship and character-building activities. Learn to be a leader among your peers, and have fun doing it! Rub shoulders with others who meet the challenges of life every day.
Music To Grow On
Music Therapy is the specialized use of music by a credentialed professional in order to achieve measurable non-musical outcomes in communication, cognition and learning, psychosocial adjustments, motor and sensory processing. MTGO offers various individual and group activities.
Sacramento Public Library
Discover the many services they provide to assist autistic and non-verbal patrons and their families.
Family Mentors
The emotions you are experiencing right now are likely intense. These emotions are very typical. Although the potential needs of your baby may seem overwhelming right now, let us reassure you that your baby is more alike, than unlike, other babies. Your little one will bring you just as many happy moments and there will be many occasions for celebration.
As you begin caring for your baby, or even while you are pregnant, you might find it helpful to be in contact with another family of a young child with Down syndrome.
DSIA’s Family Mentor Program
We match you with a Family Mentor with similar experiences as your own.
If you would like to be matched with a Family Mentor, call DSIA’s Support Line at 916.842.7175 or e-mail support@downsyndromeinfo.org.
Down Comforter Package
A New Parent’s Guide to Down Syndrome – DSIA’s parent guide that includes information on Down syndrome, messages of hope and inspiration from local families, and important resources for new parents.
Please contact us.
iCan Shine Bike Program
Monday, July 8 – Friday, July 12, 202
Sunday, July 7th: MANDATORY Parent and Volunteer Orientation: TBD TIME
Yolo County Fairgrounds – Main Expo Building
Address: 1250 E Gum Ave, Woodland, CA 95776 – CLICK HERE FOR MAP
iCan Shine uses a fleet of adapted bicycles, a specialized instructional program and trained staff to teach individuals with disabilities to learn to ride a two-wheel bike independently. Participants attend one 75-minute session each day for five consecutive days where they learn to ride while accompanied and encouraged by a volunteer. Gradually the riders discover the skill and joy of riding a bike
The iCan Shine Bike Program runs Monday through Friday. Riders participate for the same 75-minute session all five days. No changing sessions or times. No cancellations or refunds after June 1st.
There will be an orientation meeting for parents/guardians and volunteers on Sunday, July 7th at 430pm at the same location. We ask that riders not attend the orientation meeting.
DSIA reserves the right to contact families to change session times based on registration needs. We will do our best to honor your choice, but circumstances might arise that we ask you to change your session for the week.
Requirements for participation:
• Be at least 8 years old at start of camp (7 ½ – 8 year olds can be wait-listed and offered a spot only if spots remain open within 7 days of start of camp)
• Have a disability (ADHD and/or undiagnosed anxiety or motor planning impairments included – no ‘formal’ diagnosis required)
• Walk without an assistive device (e.g. walker, crutches)
• Be able to side step to both sides (to ensure bike and rider will not fall over when stopping)
• Be willing and able to wear a properly fitted bike helmet
• Be able to attend all five (5) days of camp
• Have a minimum inseam of at least 20” (measured from floor to seat height while rider is wearing sneakers)
• Not exceed the weight maximum of 220 lbs (this is a strictly enforced safety and liability concern)
Riders MUST be accompanied by parent/guardian willing and able to intervene or assist staff as requested in addressing any prolonged disruptive or aggressive behavior.
NOTE: Dropping-off Riders at the program is not permitted. A parent, legal guardian or other adult authorized to take responsibility for the Rider (e.g. another parent) must remain on site for duration of each day’s 75-minute program.
Sessions:
- Session 1: 8:30-9:45
- Session 2: 10:05-11:20
- Session 3: 11:40-12:55
- Session 4: 2:00-3:15 (will only open once Sessions 1-3 are filled)
- Session 5: 3:35 – 4:50 (will only open once Sessions 1-4 are filled)
Session Fees: $300 / rider
For information on how to best prepare you rider for the iCan Bike Program please CLICK HERE.
CLICK HERE for an overview for parents of important considerations when identifying an appropriate bike and helmet for a rider with a disability, including our list of recommended makes and models of bikes for learning by size and make/model.
We discourage purchasing bikes from large non-bike shop retailers such as Toys R Us, Wal-Mart, Target, etc… Generally, such bikes are of inferior quality to those sold at local bike shops and develop more problems for the rider. Additionally, if your rider’s bike needs adjustments, modifications or has technical problems, it will be challenging to have this addressed by a retailer that is not set up as a bike shop.
We have a local bike shop partner who is well versed in how to fit your rider with the appropriate bicycle.
Our bike shop partner is: COMING SOON
iCan Shine Bike Program needs Volunteers to be successful!
Volunteer Requirements:
***NO PRIOR EXPERIENCE WORKING WITH PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES IS NECESSARY***
- At least 15 years old (unless accompanied by an adult)
- Able to attend 90 minutes at the same time each of the 5 days of camp (15 minutes of training/daily debriefing)
- Able to provide physical, emotional and motivational support to assigned rider
- Able and willing to get some exercise (light jogging/running) for a great cause!
DSIA County Rep Program
DSIA serves a geographically large and diverse community of individuals with Down syndrome and their families with resources and support. More broadly speaking, we also serve educators, employers, and healthcare professionals with the means to understand the importance of inclusion in every aspect of our lives. The County Rep Program aims to better serve our unique counties through direct communication and outreach.
Once an individual is established as the County Rep for DSIA, they will be the Point of Contact for that county. It is expected that they be well versed in what is offered for members of the DSIA and in their local community.
The County Rep will…
• be the point of contact for that county
• identify avenues for increased visibility and opportunities for community engagement in their county
• plan and execute one family event per quarter year (DSIA Sponsored)
• Participate in the Step Up Walk & provide monthly communication with DSIA Staff
Are you ready, willing and excited to bring DSIA to your local community? email info@downsyndromeinfo.org