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With the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, schools across the Commonwealth are closed, meetings, events and gatherings have been canceled or postponed, and, in the interest of everyone’s health and well being, we are needing to change our lifestyles in very important ways. The prospect of such social isolation and distancing is daunting and counter to the community building and in-person support that MDSC has offered for over 36 years.
MDSC is here to help. Our Team is working hard to review the full breadth of resources, determining which are the most informative and helpful to our families and loved ones with Down syndrome. See below for our curated list.
Feel free to send us resources you’ve found that are helpful by emailing us at info@mdsc.org so we can share them with others. And be sure to check back as we will be updating the resources regularly for as long as is necessary.
General Information
- Centers for Disease Control
- World Health Organization (WHO) - Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) advice for the public, also in Spanish, French, Russian, simplified Chinese, and Arabic
- Mass.gov
- City of Boston
- Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Common Questions - fact sheets in English, Spanish, Haitian Creole, simplified Chinese, Portuguese, and Vietnamese
- Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Guidance - handouts in English, Spanish, Haitian Creole, simplified Chinese, Portuguese, and Vietnamese
- Harvard Medical School - Coronavirus Resource Center
- IRS launches new tool to help non-filers register for Economic Impact Payment
For Individuals with Down Syndrome
Education Tools + Resources
Medical + Health Information
- National Down Syndrome Organizations
- Dementia + Alzheimer’s Disease
- Mental Health
- Complex Needs
'New Normal'
Talking to Kids
Advocacy Resources
- July 14 TAKE ACTION: Accessory Dwelling Zoning Relief - "Accessory Dwelling", also known as "In Law Suites", can be an ideal housing arrangement for many of our families, often proving a stable, long-term living situation with equal parts independence and support. Local zoning laws have often been a barrier to families taking full advantage of this option.
- July 10 DDS Issues Phase 3 Guidance - As Massachusetts entered Phase 3 of its reopening plan on July 6, the state's Department of Developmental Services has issued a series of guidance for families based on continued declines in new positive COVID-19 cases and across the state at DDS homes. In addition, DDS has issued revised Visitation Guidance.
- July 8 TAKE ACTION on 4th Covid Relief Package - MDSC is working alongside our national partners at National Down Syndrome Congress and National Down Syndrome Society to ensure that the needs of people with disabilities are adequately addressed in the next Covid-19 relief package.
- June 15 MDSC has signed onto a letter by the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities asking that dedicated Medicaid funding for Home & Community Based Services (HCBS) be included in the Congress' next COVID relief package.
- June 15 NDSC leaders, law enforcement, and community members conduct an open discussion around the state of race relations in the world today, the longstanding history of racism that is pervasive in law enforcement, the justice system, healthcare, and education and other societal systems.Longtime MDSC member and leader of our Diversity Task Force, Roxanne Hoke-Chandler, co-recipient of the 2015 Allen C. Crocker Award of Excellence, was a panelist.
- June 9 - MDSC Statement on Inclusion and Race Relations
- April 17 - Hospital Visitation Policies for Persons with Disabilities, letter from Disability Law Center and Partners to MA Department of Public Health
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