Welcome to the Virginia Down Syndrome Association
find information, resources, care, and connection to a supportive and welcoming community.
Welcome to the Virginia Down Syndrome Association! We are glad you are here! We are a community of individuals with Down syndrome, their family members and caregivers, friends, and professionals all committed to creating a community where all individuals with Down syndrome are valued for their unique abilities and differences. Here you will find information, resources, care, and connection to a supportive and welcoming community.
EDUCATION
EDUCATION
Through education programs, conferences, webinars, and parent chats we educate individuals with Down syndrome, their caregivers, and members of our community about Down syndrome. Our education programming covers the lifespan, from early childhood development to IEPs, behavior management, waivers, employment resources, housing resources and more!
FAMILY SUPPORT
FAMILY SUPPORT
We believe individuals with Down syndrome are valuable members of our community who have an important contribution to offer. We provide opportunities, support, resources, and advocacy to support individuals with Down syndrome in achieving their full potential. We believe all individuals with Down syndrome are unique and celebrate the unique qualities and characteristics of everyone with Down syndrome in our community.COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
We are a community within a community that celebrates and embraces individuals with Down syndrome. We listen, we learn, and we have fun! Together, we help each other every step of the journey.
Our Service Area
We proudly serve over 650 families across Greater Richmond, Charlottesville, Williamsburg, Fredericksburg, and the Central Shenandoah Valley and we look forward to welcoming you into our community.
If you do not live in our service area, we would love to help you get connected with one of the other Down Syndrome Associations in Virginia. If you are not in one of the Associations’ geographic areas, please reach out to us and we would be happy to be a resource for you.
“They have been helpful in me finding more things about how to advocate for my daughter, finding right medical help and many more things for which I am very grateful to them. I am thankful to DSAGR* for organizing such events since that made it possible for me to connect to other moms having similar journey to mine. They say it takes an army to raise a child and I would consider them part of Saisha’s army.”
“One of the most important things I did was pick up the phone and get connected with Kim Owens, Education Director at DSAGR*. Her knowledge coupled with her passion for inclusion gave me the courage and connections to advocate for what I knew to be best for Everett and our family. I will forever be grateful that the DSAGR, and their connections, stood beside us; because of the actions of many, Everett is fully included and thriving in his neighborhood school.”
“Two weeks after David was born, we received his Down syndrome diagnosis. Having a lot of questions and even more anxiety, I contacted the DADS group at DSAGR*. That very same day, another Dad contacted me, and in the process shared his own positive experience of parenting a child with Down syndrome. He encouraged me to attend the next DADS meet-up, and I’ve been involved ever since. The DADS group is friendly, inclusive, and incredibly knowledgeable, with years of experience and advice that’s always willingly shared.”
*VDSA was formerly known as DSAGR
Calendar and News
Events and Publications
Calendar of Events
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1 event,
Rock Climbing
Rock Climbing
Rock Climbing at Peak Experiences, 11421 Polo Circle, Midlothian, VA January 22 - Ages 6 to 12 years old. January 29 - Ages 13 to Adult Siblings Welcome Rock Climbing sponsored and led by Beyond Boundaries. No charge. Register: https://virginiadsa.salsalabs.org/rockclimbingjan2023
1 event,
Inclusive Schools Parent Group (Virtual)
Inclusive Schools Parent Group (Virtual)
All parents/caregivers are welcome to this inclusive schools parent chat. Connect with other parents, get support, ask questions. We support inclusion of students with Down syndrome in their least restrictive environment! Register at - https://virginiadsa.salsalabs.org/inclusiveschools1/index.html
1 event,
Making Public Comment: Advocacy Training (Virtual)
Making Public Comment: Advocacy Training (Virtual)
Raise your voice for Down syndrome! Training by Voices for Virginia's Children on January 31, 2023. Register at - https://virginiadsa.salsalabs.org/makingpubliccomment/index.html
1 event,
21 Shades (Black Family Support Group) – Virtual
21 Shades (Black Family Support Group) – Virtual
21 Shades (Black Family Support Group) Please join the Virginia Down Syndrome Associations monthly 21 Shades of Virginial Black Family Support Group. The group, 21 shades of Virginia, is a support group created after an expressed need in support of families expecting or raising a Black/interracial child with Down Syndrome. The purpose of this group is to create a safe space for the Black Community to network, collaborate, create and share information while building meaningful connections. Upon registration you will be sent a link to Zoom. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Raena Gradford, rgradford@virginiadsa.org. […]
1 event,
Improvaneer – ages 16+ (Virtual)
Improvaneer – ages 16+ (Virtual)
The Improvaneer Method - Online Style (Virtual) for age 16+ This virtual class helps build key skills that enhance social, workplace, and lifetime opportunities in ways never imagined before! Thursdays from 7:00-8:00 pm. Cost: $35 per person Scholarships Available - https://virginiadsa.org/scholarships/ Register here: https://virginiadsa.salsalabs.org/ImprovaneerMethodJanFeb2023
0 events,
1 event,
10th Disability Education & Transition Conference
10th Disability Education & Transition Conference
We are back in person with the 10th Disability Education & Transition Conference on February 4, 2023 at the Short Pump Hilton and Spa, Richmond, VA - Registration is open - https://virginiadsa.org/education-conference-2/
2 events,
Kendra Scott Fundraiser
Kendra Scott Fundraiser
Stop by Kendra Scott at Short Pump Town Center, 11800 W Broad St, Richmond, VA 23233, between 1-3 pm on Sunday, Feb. 5th or shop on line with code (to come soon) 20% of your purchase will be donated to the Virginia Down Syndrome Association! Shop online from Feb. 5th to Feb. 6th at 11:59 pm. Enter Code at Check Out: GIVEBACK-DKSAX for 20% of purchase to be donated to VDSA.
Williamsburg Moms’ Night Out
Williamsburg Moms’ Night Out
Williamsburg Moms' Night Out Sunday, February 5 at 6:30 PM Oceans & Ale 5601 Richmond Rd, Williamsburg, VA 23188 Register: https://virginiadsa.salsalabs.org/WilliamsburgMomsNightOutFeb2023
0 events,
0 events,
0 events,
2 events,
VDSA – Virginia General Assembly Advocacy Day
VDSA – Virginia General Assembly Advocacy Day
Join us at the General Assembly to advocate for individuals with disabilities along with the Arc of Virginia. Time to be determined Register at - https://virginiadsa.salsalabs.org/gaday2023/index.html
Improvaneer – ages 16+ (Virtual)
Improvaneer – ages 16+ (Virtual)
The Improvaneer Method - Online Style (Virtual) for age 16+ This virtual class helps build key skills that enhance social, workplace, and lifetime opportunities in ways never imagined before! Thursdays from 7:00-8:00 pm. Cost: $35 per person Scholarships Available - https://virginiadsa.org/scholarships/ Register here: https://virginiadsa.salsalabs.org/ImprovaneerMethodJanFeb2023
1 event,
Fredericksburg Family Valentines Party
Fredericksburg Family Valentines Party
Family Valentines Party Friday, Feb. 10 - 6:00 - 8:00 pm at Chancellor Community Ctr., 7300 Old Plank Rd, Fredericksburg, VA 22407 Pizza Potluck! Families bring salads and desserts. Register here: https://virginiadsa.salsalabs.org/FredericksburgFamilyValentinesParty2023
3 events,
Family Valentine’s Party
Family Valentine’s Party
Family Valentines Day Party at The Heights Baptist Church, Colonial Heights Campus,17201 Jefferson Davis Hwy, South Chesterfield, VA 23834 Saturday, Feb. 11th from 10:30 am - Noon Art led by Art on Wheels, Music, snacks and more! Siblings, grandparents and all family members welcome! All ages welcome! FREE Register here: https://virginiadsa.salsalabs.org/FamilyValentinesParty2023
River City Inclusive Gym – Ages 2-12
River City Inclusive Gym – Ages 2-12
River City Inclusive Gym Feb. 11, March 11 & April 22 3:00-3:45 pm - Ages 2 to 12 - Click here to Register $10 per session Location: 11248 Patterson Ave, Henrico, VA 23238 Exclusive class for Virginia Down Syndrome Association. Siblings welcome if the class is not full (please reach out to me dzedd@virginiadsa.org). River City Inclusive Gym class is designed to engage each athlete physically and mentally. Each class is set in obstacle course format. This provides us optimum opportunity to instruct 1:1 while the whole group stays engaged. Upon entering the gym, the athletes begin their first course right […]
River City Inclusive Gym – Ages 13 to Adult
River City Inclusive Gym – Ages 13 to Adult
River City Inclusive Gym Feb. 11, March 11 & April 22 3:00-3:45 pm - Ages 2 to 12 4:00-4:45 pm - Ages 13 to Adult $10 per session Location: 11248 Patterson Ave, Henrico, VA 23238 Exclusive class for Virginia Down Syndrome Association. Siblings welcome if the class is not full (please reach out to me dzedd@virginiadsa.org). River City Inclusive Gym class is designed to engage each athlete physically and mentally. Each class is set in obstacle course format. This provides us optimum opportunity to instruct 1:1 while the whole group stays engaged. Upon entering the gym, the athletes begin their first […]
1 event,
VCU Basketball Meet & Greet
VCU Basketball Meet & Greet
MEET VCU BASKETBALL PLAYER ON SUNDAY, FEB. 12TH Meet the players, take photos, get autographs and bounce and shoot the basketball! All ages welcome! Sunday, Feb. 12, 4-6 pm at Magnolia Academy, 7300 Magnolia Market Ave, Moseley, VA 23120 Sponsored by Synergy Technical Register: https://virginiadsa.salsalabs.org/VCUBasketballClinic2023
0 events,
4 events,
Week Day Play Group (baby to 5 yrs old)
Week Day Play Group (baby to 5 yrs old)
Week Day Play Group for ages baby to 5 yrs old Feb. 14, 16, 21, 28 at 9 am at the Virginia Down Syndrome Association office, 1504 Santa Rosa Rd. Suite 124, Richmond, VA 23229 Come meet other moms while the kids play. Siblings Welcome. Register: https://virginiadsa.salsalabs.org/WeekDayPlayGroup
Adult Communication Class with Longwood, virtual
Adult Communication Class with Longwood, virtual
Speech/communication conversation with Longwood speech grad students! Fun! Ages 18+ welcome! Register at - https://virginiadsa.salsalabs.org/registerforsocialandcommunicationspring2023/index.html
Teen Talk with Longwood, virtual
Teen Talk with Longwood, virtual
Speech/communication conversation with Longwood speech grad students! Fun! Ages 12-17 welcome. https://virginiadsa.salsalabs.org/teentalkspring2023/index.html
Music Class – Ages 13 and up.
Music Class – Ages 13 and up.
Music Class - Ages 13 and up. Class cost $10 Tuesdays, Feb. 14- March 14 from 6:00 - 7:00 pm Classes will be led and held at Healing Sounds, 830 Southlake Blvd, North Chesterfield, VA 2323644 To register: https://virginiadsa.salsalabs.org/MusicClassFeb14toMarch142023
0 events,
1 event,
Week Day Play Group (baby to 5 yrs old)
Week Day Play Group (baby to 5 yrs old)
Week Day Play Group for ages baby to 5 yrs old Feb. 14, 16, 21, 28 at 9 am at the Virginia Down Syndrome Association office, 1504 Santa Rosa Rd. Suite 124, Richmond, VA 23229 Come meet other moms while the kids play. Siblings Welcome. Register: https://virginiadsa.salsalabs.org/WeekDayPlayGroup
0 events,
1 event,
VCU Basketball Game sponsored by Synergy Technical
VCU Basketball Game sponsored by Synergy Technical
Thank you to Synergy Technical for providing free tickets to the VCU game on Saturday, February 18, 2023 at 2:30 pm. In addition, the Virginia Down Syndrome Association will be featured on the radio show as the "Synergy Technical Community Partner of the Game" Plus they will make a donation based on the score: $50 per point VCU scores, + $500 for a VCU win!!!! Sign up to be on the Waitlist for tickets: https://virginiadsa.salsalabs.org/VCUBasketballGameFeb182022
2 events,
Moms’ Brunch – Richmond Area
Moms’ Brunch – Richmond Area
Moms' Brunch Leave kids at home and come out and enjoy conversation with other moms' Sat. Feb. 19 at 11 am Capital Ale Housel, 4024 Cox Road, Glen Allen, VA 23060 (near 64/288/295) Register: https://virginiadsa.salsalabs.org/MomsBrunch
Weekend Play Group – ages baby to 5 yrs old
Weekend Play Group – ages baby to 5 yrs old
Weekend Play Group for ages baby to 5 yrs old at C.A.R.A. Therapy, 4804 Market Square, Midlothian, VA 23112 Saturday, Jan. 28 & Sunday, Feb. 19 3:00 - 4:00 pm Siblings Welcome. Program is FREE. Register: https://virginiadsa.salsalabs.org/WeekendPlayGroupJanFeb2023
2 events,
Presidents’ Day
Black History Month – Movie Screening and Craft
Black History Month – Movie Screening and Craft
Black History Month Movie Screening and Craft Monday, Feb. 20th from 2-4 pm at Virginia Down Syndrome's Activity room This program is part of the 21 Shades (Black Family Support Group) Screening of the animated Movie: Our Friend Martin, an adventure inspired by Martin Luther King Jr. What begins as a routine class project for a diverse group of sixth-graders turns into a magical, time-traveling adventure they'll never forget! Authentic historical footage of Martin Luther King Jr. is blended with colorful animation as the students learn about - and actually meet - the civil rights leader who challenged all Americans to turn his […]
4 events,
Week Day Play Group (baby to 5 yrs old)
Week Day Play Group (baby to 5 yrs old)
Week Day Play Group for ages baby to 5 yrs old Feb. 14, 16, 21, 28 at 9 am at the Virginia Down Syndrome Association office, 1504 Santa Rosa Rd. Suite 124, Richmond, VA 23229 Come meet other moms while the kids play. Siblings Welcome. Register: https://virginiadsa.salsalabs.org/WeekDayPlayGroup
Adult Communication Class with Longwood, virtual
Adult Communication Class with Longwood, virtual
Speech/communication conversation with Longwood speech grad students! Fun! Ages 18+ welcome! Register at - https://virginiadsa.salsalabs.org/registerforsocialandcommunicationspring2023/index.html
Teen Talk with Longwood, virtual
Teen Talk with Longwood, virtual
Speech/communication conversation with Longwood speech grad students! Fun! Ages 12-17 welcome. https://virginiadsa.salsalabs.org/teentalkspring2023/index.html
Music Class – Ages 13 and up.
Music Class – Ages 13 and up.
Music Class - Ages 13 and up. Class cost $10 Tuesdays, Feb. 14- March 14 from 6:00 - 7:00 pm Classes will be led and held at Healing Sounds, 830 Southlake Blvd, North Chesterfield, VA 2323644 To register: https://virginiadsa.salsalabs.org/MusicClassFeb14toMarch142023
0 events,
1 event,
Week Day Play Group (baby to 5 yrs old)
Week Day Play Group (baby to 5 yrs old)
Week Day Play Group for ages baby to 5 yrs old Feb. 14, 16, 21, 28 at 9 am at the Virginia Down Syndrome Association office, 1504 Santa Rosa Rd. Suite 124, Richmond, VA 23229 Come meet other moms while the kids play. Siblings Welcome. Register: https://virginiadsa.salsalabs.org/WeekDayPlayGroup
1 event,
Fredericksburg Moms’ Night Out
Fredericksburg Moms’ Night Out
Join Moms at TGI Fridays! Register: https://virginiadsa.salsalabs.org/FredericksburgMomsNightOutFeb2023
0 events,
1 event,
Richmond Bowling ages 13+
Richmond Bowling ages 13+
Join us for Bowling at Uptown Alley, 6101 Brad McNeer Pkwy Midlothian, VA 23112 For ages 13 to Adult Register: https://virginiadsa.salsalabs.org/BowlingRichmondUptownAlley22023
1 event,
Learn to Grow (baby parenting class)
Learn to Grow (baby parenting class)
Learn to Grow, offered to parents of babies with Down syndrome (<18 months). Starts Monday February 27, 2023, 7:30-9pm, virtually. FREE! Parents of 2022 Babies. Learn to Grow for baby to 18 months old. This class is in partnership with Suzanne McKeever, The Speech Path 8-week series of classes. Information & resources to answer your questions about the 1st year of development. Topics include: Speech and language Oral Motor & Feeding Sensory Fine Motor Development Physical Therapy Behavior/Social Vision and Hearing When are Classes? Mondays starting February 27, 2023 to April 24 (no class on April 3) Each week, 7:30-9:00pm via […]
4 events,
Week Day Play Group (baby to 5 yrs old)
Week Day Play Group (baby to 5 yrs old)
Week Day Play Group for ages baby to 5 yrs old Feb. 14, 16, 21, 28 at 9 am at the Virginia Down Syndrome Association office, 1504 Santa Rosa Rd. Suite 124, Richmond, VA 23229 Come meet other moms while the kids play. Siblings Welcome. Register: https://virginiadsa.salsalabs.org/WeekDayPlayGroup
Adult Communication Class with Longwood, virtual
Adult Communication Class with Longwood, virtual
Speech/communication conversation with Longwood speech grad students! Fun! Ages 18+ welcome! Register at - https://virginiadsa.salsalabs.org/registerforsocialandcommunicationspring2023/index.html
Teen Talk with Longwood, virtual
Teen Talk with Longwood, virtual
Speech/communication conversation with Longwood speech grad students! Fun! Ages 12-17 welcome. https://virginiadsa.salsalabs.org/teentalkspring2023/index.html
Music Class – Ages 13 and up.
Music Class – Ages 13 and up.
Music Class - Ages 13 and up. Class cost $10 Tuesdays, Feb. 14- March 14 from 6:00 - 7:00 pm Classes will be led and held at Healing Sounds, 830 Southlake Blvd, North Chesterfield, VA 2323644 To register: https://virginiadsa.salsalabs.org/MusicClassFeb14toMarch142023
1 event,
21 Shades (Black Family Support Group) – Virtual
21 Shades (Black Family Support Group) – Virtual
21 Shades (Black Family Support Group) Please join the Virginia Down Syndrome Associations monthly 21 Shades of Virginial Black Family Support Group. The group, 21 shades of Virginia, is a support group created after an expressed need in support of families expecting or raising a Black/interracial child with Down Syndrome. The purpose of this group is to create a safe space for the Black Community to network, collaborate, create and share information while building meaningful connections. Upon registration you will be sent a link to Zoom. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Raena Gradford, rgradford@virginiadsa.org. […]
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