Educational Advocacy

The Eastern Pennsylvania Down Syndrome Center offers Educational Advocacy for families of school-aged children (from pre-school through high school and onto post-secondary) to ensure that their child receives the appropriate services and accommodations necessary to participate in the least-restrictive public education setting and receive equal educational opportunities. Our mission is to promote inclusion where your child learns in the general education classroom alongside their peers.

Our program offers the following tools:

• Trainings, webinars and workshops on different topics such as inclusion and financial planning.
• A School-Aged Parents Support & Social Group to chat with other parents, seek advice from advocates, and build lasting friendships, all while your kids play safely.
• A resource library of materials on important subjects like transition planning, 504 plans, understanding your rights under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA) and more.
• Consult with families to review Individual Education Plans and assist in preparing for IEP meetings.
• Trainings to pediatric and family medicine residents, therapists, nurses, and educational providers in order to increase awareness and support for individuals with Down syndrome.

There is no charge for this program.  

If you would like to speak to one of our Educational Advocates, please contact us at theepdsc@gmail.com or by phone at 484-224-5288.

Did you miss our recent workshop “Empowering Caregivers: Becoming An Educational Advocate for A Child with Down Syndrome”? You can watch the recording HERE.