Livingston Area Down Syndrome Society

Education, Advocacy, Support

About LADSS

History:

LADSS was founded in 2003 by Mary & David Melvin. The impetus behind the group formation was the birth of their daughter Maggie in 2000 with translocation Down syndrome. Realizing there was lack of information available locally for those who are affected by Down syndrome they sought the group's formation. Together with like-minded families in the Livingston County, Illinois area, a basic support meeting was established.

Goals:

• To be an advocate for those with Down syndrome in order to help them achieve their full potential.
• Build a sense of community and fellowship for all persons concerned with Down syndrome.
• Promote the availability of and accessibility to opportunities, resources, and services that meet individual and family needs.
• Educate professionals, parents, families, and the community in all aspects relating to Down syndrome.
• Recognize and advance the full range of rights of all persons with Down syndrome.

Mission:

It is the mission of the Livingston Area Down Syndrome Society to be an advocate to empower persons with Down syndrome and their families. LADSS will be a local voice in central Illinois to create an atmosphere in which all people will recognize the value and dignity of those with Down syndrome.

Education: LADSS seeks to educate physicians, nurses, genetic counselors, therapists and educators on the clinical and developmental needs of people with Down syndrome. In order to facilitate this education LADSS will network existing information from professional to professional, purchasing educational materials for health professionals and educators that will educate them on the medical and developmental needs of people with Down syndrome and the best care practices to address individuals needs.

Some specific ways LADDS will provide education is; the purchasing of education materials to assist health care professionals, provide packets of information for new parents that will address emotional and physical well being of the those affected with Down syndrome, assist with programs for students with Down syndrome to help schools with educational goals, inclusion practices, assistive technology, skill-building and socialization.

Advocacy: Through grassroots training LADSS seeks to make a difference in issues impacting people with Down syndrome and their families. LADSS advocacy serves to integrate persons with Down syndrome into our communities by working with individuals, organizations, and companies. By offering limited scholarships to those with Down syndrome, LADSS seeks to encourage and support greater educational goals.

Support: LADS seeks to offer families of children with Down syndrome a place to network with other families. LADSS goal is to hold support meetings no less that quarterly to offer social interaction with other families and their children. We encourage siblings, parents, and grandparents and caregivers to participate in our meetings.

Legal:

LADSS is organized and operated exclusively for charitable and educational purposes in accord with 501(c) 3 of the Internal Revenue Code. More specifically the corporation is organized to provide education, material, equipment, support, and financial assistance to those affected by Down syndrome in the Livingston county, Illinois area.

LADSS' articles of incorporation are on file with the Illinois Secretary of State's Office Dept. of Business Services, Springfield, IL and the Livingston County Clerk and Recorder's office in Pontiac, IL.

Our group Attorney is Tom Herr of Herr & Herr, Pontiac, IL.

You can view our 501(c) 3 authorization from the IRS by clicking here....

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