Virginia Down Syndrome Association

STEAM - Science "It's in the Reaction"
2025-06-26 14:00 - 16:00, 2025-07-10 14:00 - 16:00, 2025-07-17 14:00 - 16:00, 2025-07-24 14:00 - 16:00, 2025-07-31 14:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | VDSA, 1504 Santa Rosa Road, Suite 124, Richmond, VA, 23229
New STEAM ‘Science’ Summer Program!
VDSA is thrilled to announce an exciting new STEAM Summer Program that’s packed with action! This 7-week program will dive into the fascinating world of Science, exploding with experiments that are sure to leave each attendee in a state of wonder and awe. From chemistry concoctions to physics phenomena, our instructor Carol Coffin will guide you through a series of hands-on activities designed to spark curiosity and ignite a passion for discovery. Register for the whole 7 weeks or pick and choose your reaction – either way, get ready for a summer of scientific exploration and fun!
Register Here: https://virginiadsa.networkforgood.com/events/87340-steam-science-it-s-in-the-reaction

Richmond - Summer Employment Academy
2025-07-07 09:00 - 13:00, 2025-07-09 09:00 - 13:00, 2025-07-14 09:00 - 13:00, 2025-07-16 09:00 - 13:00, 2025-07-21 09:00 - 13:00, 2025-07-23 09:00 - 13:00, 2025-07-28 09:00 - 13:00, 2025-07-30 09:00 - 13:00 | VDSA, 1504 Santa Rosa Road, Suite 124, Richmond, VA, 23229
The Summer Employment Academy is a 4-week summer program in which high school students with Down syndrome have on-site career experiences along with in-class soft skills employment training. This program is open to any student with Down syndrome aged 16 and up.
The Richmond classes will be held on Mondays and Wednesdays in July at the VDSA Office. Students are in-class two days per week and on a job site two days per week. The student rotates through 4 different job sites for an individualized and well-rounded career exploration experience. While at the job site, they practice the soft skills they are learning in class while working with a job coach. Class size is maximum eight students with Down syndrome.
For more information, contact Ame Branam, Education Director, at abranam@virginiadsa.org.

Richmond: I'm Determined Self-Advocacy Training & Global Ambassador Training
2025-09-13 09:30 - 14:30 | VDSA, 1504 Santa Rosa Road, Suite 124, Richmond, VA, 23229
Practice Self-Determination Skills for School, Work, and Life!
Join us for the Virginia Department of Education’s I’m Determined self-advocacy program at VDSA. Self-advocates will attend the workshop from 9:30am until 12:30pm. A pizza lunch will be provided for all!

In addition – Thanks to a grant from the Global Down Syndrome Foundation, VDSA is pleased to offer Ambassador Training! In this 90 minute session, you will learn how to be engaging with donors and speaking at fundraising and advocacy events. Attendees for both I’m Determined & Ambassador Training are eligible to be paid VDSA representatives at upcoming outreach and fundraising events!
Both sessions will be held on Saturday, September 13th. The schedule is as follows:

9:30am-12:30pm – I’m Determined
12:30pm-1:00pm – Pizza lunch!
1:00pm-2:30pm – Global Ambassador Training

Interested individuals can elect to only attend I’m Determined or Global Ambassador training. Participants are eligible to attend only Global Ambassador Training if you have already attended I’m Determined.

Register here: https://virginiadsa.networkforgood.com/events/91375-i-m-determined-self-advocacy-training-global-ambassador-training

Contact Ame Branam, Education Director, at abranam@virginiadsa.org for more information. Individuals with Down syndrome ages 16+ are welcome. This program is in-person at the VDSA Richmond office but families from all Virginia localities are welcome.

Virtual - School Inclusion Support Group
2025-09-24 19:00 - 20:00 | Zoom
School is upon us once again! Drop in to this chat for caregivers of school-aged individuals with Down syndrome. During this peer-led discussion, you’ll learn and share with other parents who speak your language!
Register here: https://virginiadsa.networkforgood.com/events/91465-school-inclusion-support-group-sept-25

Virtual - IEP Progress Monitoring Webinar
2025-10-23 19:00 - 20:00 | Zoom
A Deep Dive into IEP Progress Reports!

It’s the time of year when the first IEP progress report of the school year comes home. You read terms such as baseline data, making sufficient progress, not yet introduced, etc. Let’s break it down and discuss what goes into writing IEP progress reports, what questions you may have about the data you receive, and how you can use the information/data you are assembling at home to check for alignment with what the school is sharing. Join us as we discuss common terminology seen in IEP progress reports, quantitative vs. qualitative data, grade level vs. instructional level data and more.

Register here: https://virginiadsa.networkforgood.com/events/92842-progress-monitoring-webinar

Speaker Bio:
Liz Capone is an Advocate, Expert Witness and a former Special Education Teacher of 21 years. She has taught at every grade level from PreK-12 and has worked in six local school districts, including Fairfax County Public Schools. She has teaching experience in all settings from general education to an acute unit and has extensive experience writing IEPs as a case manager, team leader, and IEP Coordinator. Liz has presented to multiple organizations nationally, including The Arc of Northern Virginia, Decoding Dyslexia Utah, and Formed Families Forward.

Life in the Community
2025-11-01 09:00 - 16:00
Life in the Community

SPONSORED BY
The Central Virginia Transition into Adulthood Coalition Life in the Community Committee
The Autism Society of Central Virginia, The Down Syndrome Association of Virginia, The Arc of Virginia, Jacob’s Chance, Beyond Boundaries, Commonwealth Autism, Northstar Academy, Shineforth, VCU, Bright Point Community College,
Special Olympics, The Arc of Hanover

Saturday, November 1st
9am-4pm
Chesterfield Career and Technical Center
13900 Hull Street Road, Midlothian, VA 23112
A must-attend conference for teens and adults with disabilities and their caregivers!
This conference will focus on the critical aspects of transitioning to adulthood, providing valuable resources, expert insights, and networking opportunities to help navigate education, employment, independent living and community engagement. Whether you’re navigating education, employment, independent living, or community engagement, this event will empower and equip you for the journey ahead.
When You Register:

You can request any special accommodations.
Self-Advocates can request a Peer Mentor Ambassador to provide support with schedules, navigating hallways, and exploring vendor tables. (Please note: Ambassadors cannot assist with activities of daily living support.)
Select your boxed lunch preference.
Please select your preferred track (the session topic you’re most interested in). You’re welcome to attend sessions outside of your chosen track as well.

Register here: https://ascv.org/lifeinthecommunity/

Virtual - Transition Goals in IEPs
2025-11-19 19:00 - 20:00 | Zoom
Liz Capone, Advocate and Expert Witness, is back to do another great presentation for VDSA on the topic of transition plans in IEPs.
Participants will learn more about:
● How parental data can contribute to transition plans
● Identifying community opportunities
● The importance of soft skills
● Ensuring readiness for Interviews
● Taking a deep dive into Interests, hobbies, and preferences
● Identifying continuing education options
● Aligning transition information in the IEP with real world opportunities
● Aligning potential jobs with skills
Speaker bio: Liz Capone is an Advocate, Expert Witness and a former Special Education Teacher of 21 years. She has taught at every grade level from PreK-12 and has worked in six school districts, including the largest school system in Virginia. She has teaching experience in all settings from general education to an acute unit and has extensive experience writing IEPs as a case manager, team leader, and IEP Coordinator. Liz has presented to multiple organizations nationally, including The Arc of Northern Virginia, Decoding Dyslexia Utah, and Formed Families Forward.
Register here: https://virginiadsa.networkforgood.com/events/94010-virtual-transition-plans-in-ieps
