International Down Syndrome Coalition

The International Down Syndrome Coalition is based in Idaho and supports families of individuals with Down syndrome in Idaho and throughout the United States and the world through social media.

Funds raised during the Idaho Gives Campaign will be designated to our Adoption Grant program which provides financial assistance to families adopting a child with Down syndrome in the United States. One lucky donor will win an IDSC Swag Basket!

Please read below to see our full mission statement and other services we offer.

Mission Statement - The International Down Syndrome Coalition (IDSC) is dedicated to helping and advocating for individuals with Down syndrome from conception and throughout life. We promote the dignity and respect of individuals with DS and assist the families who love them. We provide support, education and connection to other families as well as to local resources. The IDSC operates and advocates independent of any political cause or religious affiliation and we welcome all to our community.

 

What we Do - The IDSC is operated 100% by volunteers. We do not have a single paid position. Any donations that come to the IDSC are used so we can further assist in our mission and help us to continue to offer what we do. Your support of our efforts is greatly appreciated.

1) Offer support to parents who are new to the Down syndrome diagnosis.

• We connect parents to each other through IDSC Connect groups.
• Share with them up to date information.
• Direct parents to their local DSA. (Down syndrome associations)
• Direct parents to organizations that will help them facilitate an adoption plan, if they decide on the adoption option.

2) Create awareness about Down syndrome.

• Through Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, newsletters, and e-blasts.
• Yearly World Down Syndrome Day video.
• Contacting politicians, media, physicians to make them aware of the issues, and asking our members to contact them as well.

3) Connect to the Down syndrome associations as a resource to them and their members.

• The DSA's refer their members to us who would like to advocate about the issues we address.
• We update DSA's about the current issues.    

4) Connect to the national Down syndrome organizations as a resource to them and their members.     

• Refer those who contact us to the national groups.
• We collaborate with the national groups about the current issues.
• We are an affiliate of the NDSC, NDSS, and the IMDSA

5) The media will very often write about  Down syndrome. Often times, even those who are trying to help us, inadvertently hurt, by using words like "suffering, disease, or down syndrome girl/boy etc" to describe our loved ones. We contact them, and kindly ask them to use people first language, as this shows the dignity for the life of each person.

6) Finally, we share the wonderful things our loved ones with Down syndrome are doing as they share with the world that every life is precious.  Not only do they do an amazing job of advocating about their wonderful lives, but they also advocate on behalf of those who cannot advocate for themselves; those who are diagnosed prenatally. We are honored to stand with them telling the world that every life is precious and deserves dignity.

For more information on any of our programs or to join us as a volunteer, please visit our website at www.theidsc.org.