Exercise Your Rights!
EXERCISE YOUR RIGHTS! 
YOU have the obligation to be part of the decisions that are being made in your community. Become involved at the local level, state level, national level and international level.
We are ONE global community, and we NEED EACH OTHER. Your thoughts matter, your feelings matter, YOUR VOICE MATTERS!
ALERTS!
Courtesy of the National Down syndrome Congress
There is deep concern about by a legal opinion issued on June 18 by the U.S. Department of Justice that challenges a long-standing interpretation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act—laws that help protect the right of people with disabilities to receive services and supports in their communities rather than institutions.
In the Olmstead decision, the Supreme Court held that unnecessary institutionalization of people with disabilities is a form of discrimination and affirmed the right of people with disabilities to receive services in the most integrated setting appropriate to their needs. For people with Down syndrome and other disabilities, that means having the opportunity to live, learn, work, and participate in their communities rather than being unnecessarily segregated from family, friends, and neighbors.
While this DOJ opinion does not change the law or court decision, it will change how federal agencies interpret and apply the law. We are particularly concerned that this new interpretation could weaken support for home and community-based services (HCBS) and increase the risk of unnecessary institutionalization. NDSC remains committed to protecting the rights of people with Down syndrome and other disabilities to live full, inclusive lives in their communities.
https://www.cbsnews.com/.../doj-disability-opinion...
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Courtesy of the Global Down syndrome Foundation: Sept 2026
Just this week, our amazing #GLOBALSpokesperson Jamie Foxx honored the memory of his beloved sister, DeOndra Dixon, in this intimate, personal interview with Extra: https://bit.ly/46lOerf
Jamie, as well as his talented daughter Corrine Foxx, were interviewed by AJ Calloway about the current season of @BeatShazamFOX and his growing family!
HUGE thanks to Jamie for supporting the #DeOndraDixon INCLUDE Project Act that recently passed the House and Senate unanimously and for ensuring that our #GLOBALAmbassador DeOndra stays right where she belongs — in the spotlight!
DeOndra was thrilled to know her work was helping people with #DownSyndrome around the world. Her legacy will be forever tied to #GLOBALAdvocacy that catalyzed the National Institutes of Health (NIH) #DownSyndromeResearch Program called INCLUDE - it has helped us gain 10 years of life over the last two decades!!
THANK YOU, Jamie, for continuing to spread awareness about your beautiful sister, for shining a light on #GLOBAL and sharing why our work matters SO much.
Want to help? Take five minutes to write and thank your Members of Congress: https://bit.ly/4zCZo8n
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Courtesy of the National Down syndrome Society
The NDSS Advocacy and Policy Program champions federal, state, and local policies that positively impact all people with Down syndrome across the country. Through our advocacy, NDSS works with Congress and federal agencies, as well as state and local officials, to develop and improve laws, regulations, and policies for the benefit of the Down syndrome community. NDSS also empowers self-advocates, families, and others to influence policy themselves.
https://ndss.org/advocacy#p_1079