Each March, just after World Down Syndrome Day, MDSC brings together hundreds of people with Down syndrome, their family members, health care professionals and educators from across New England for our Annual Conference. Participants gather to hear the latest research findings and important information from national and local experts on a range of topics related to Down syndrome.
We are thrilled to celebrate MDSC’s 41st Annual Conference on March 29, 2025!
With participants coming from across New England and beyond, we are excited to bring together over 500 individuals — our incredible self-advocates with Down syndrome, as well as parents and caretakers, grandparents and siblings, health care professionals, educators and others — to hear the latest research findings and timely information from regional and national experts on the full range of topics as it relates to Down syndrome.
We are proud to announce MDSC’s theme for 2025 — ON MY WAY!
After 40-plus years of steadfast advocacy and innovative programs, the MDSC is well ON OUR WAY to building a brighter future for ALL our loved ones with Down syndrome.
We envision a present and a future in which all our loved ones with Down syndrome can confidently say “I am ON MY WAY” to a full, rich life in their community, with access to high quality education, medical services, research and employment opportunities.
And at MDSC, we will be fighting to ensure we’re ON OUR WAY to making the world a better, more inclusive place for our loved ones with Down syndrome — providing critical programs and services and raising awareness and expectations in our neighborhoods, hospitals, schools and society at large.
Join us March 29 as we bring our On My Way theme to life even beyond the presentations, by connecting with old and new friends, sharing our individual and collective journeys, and taking stock of all the countless victories — small and large — that exemplify our community’s resilience for more than four decades.
The 41st Annual Conference represents yet another milestone for the MDSC community, and we hope to see you there!
Early bird rates end March 1
Personalized Tracks
General Session Workshops
Parents, family members and professionals learned from expert speakers about how to help individuals with Down syndrome acquire the necessary skills to lead fuller, healthier, more independent lives.
Self Advocate Workshops
Teens and adults with Down syndrome age 13 and older gathered virtually and had an opportunity to network and share experiences, strengthen their self-advocacy skills, and learn about the importance of leading a healthy life and building meaningful relationships.
Specialty Workshops
Workshops led by and designed for unique groups, including grandparents, new parents, siblings, caregivers, and more. Created a forum for sharing stories and learning the importance of advocacy.
Education Workshops
Educators and parents learned best practices for educating students with Down syndrome in an inclusive classroom, as well as the benefits of inclusion for all learners.
40th Anniversary “UnstoppABLE” Conference
There was something special in the air as our community gathered for MDSC’s 40th Anniversary UnstoppABLE Conference on March 23, 2024! The sheer joy, emotion and personal stories shared throughout the day made this historic 40-year milestone event everything we hoped it would be. We were proud to have so much to offer everyone in attendance— self advocates, parents and caretakers, grandparents and siblings, health care professionals, educators and others.
In addition to the nearly two dozen expert sessions on everything related to Down syndrome throughout the lifespan, attendees were treated to Isaiah Lombardo’s keynote address, a special dance performance by the Down Syndrome Folklore Latino Group, our 40th Anniversary awards presentations, a post-conference networking session, and more! This year’s UnstoppABLE theme was a perfect launching pad to reflect on MDSC’s remarkable 40+ year history paying special tribute to the giants in our community. As I shared at the conference, MDSC is built squarely on the shoulders of the trailblazers who founded MDSC and established the first conference in 1985, as well as the disability advocacy pioneers who came before them.
As Executive Director Maureen Gallagher said, “The disability rights movement has again and again demonstrated one irrefutable fact — the voices of self-advocates and family members and their friends and supporters, like you, are absolutely essential to making positive systemic change — change that truly recognizes that ALL people have the right to a meaningful, fulfilling life.”
Read more here about all the fabulous details of a very special day in the history of MDSC, and thank you for your suppor
