The National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) is an American organization that offers support to people with Down syndrome, their families, friends, teachers, and coworkers, and educates the general public about Down syndrome. The mission of the NDSS is to be the leading human rights organization for all individuals with Down syndrome.

History

The NDSS was founded by Betsy Goodwin and Arden Moulton. Goodwin's daughter, Carson was born in 1978 with Down Syndrome. The parents soon discovered that the support and resources available to parents with Down syndrome children were very limited. Goodwin and Arden created the NDSS, which gained official nonprofit status in 1979. The National Down Syndrome Society envisions "a world in which all people with Down syndrome have the opportunity to enhance their quality of life, realize their life aspirations and become valued members of welcoming communities."

Areas of programming

NDSS focuses on four items of programming to enhance the quality of life for those with Down syndrome.

Other Initiatives

Public Webinar

In January 2019, the NDSS offered a free public webinar on facilitated communication held by Christine Ashby. This communication method is based on the theory that many people that are unable to speak and are not cognitively impaired, but are simply unable to produce the sounds for speech. A helper or "facilitator" assists by guiding the non-speaking person's hand over a keyboard. Many masked independent tests and studies have suggested that the facilitator is actually the one doing the typing, and not the person with the disability. Stuart Vyse, reporting for Skeptical Inquirer, commented that "Given NDSS's mission of being 'The leading human rights organization for all individuals with Down syndrome,' it is not surprising the organization supports a communication method that [Christy] Ashby [PhD] described as a 'human right and a civil right.' Nonetheless, it is unfortunate that a leading Down syndrome advocacy group is promoting a belief system over evidence-based methods that work."