Down Syndrome Association Of Orange County

DSAOC'S MISSION IS TO CREATE A PLACE FOR CONNECTION, INFORMATION AND HOPE FOR PEOPLE WITH DOWN SYNDROME AND THEIR FAMILIES THROUGHOUT GREATER ORANGE COUNTY, TO PROMOTE DOWN SYNDROME AWARENESS THROUGH COMMUNITY OUTREACH, AND TO OFFER PROGRAMS, SERVICES AND SUPPORT THAT AIM TO EMPOWER INDIVIDUALS WITH DOWN SYNDROME TO REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL. OUR VISION IS TO BE A ONE-STOP-SHOP FOR ALL THINGS DOWN SYNDROME RELATED, AND TO BE A MODEL ORGANIZATION FOR COMMUNITY COLLABORATION AND DOWN SYNDROME AWARENESS, TO CHANGE PERCEPTIONS AND CHANGE LIVES.

DSAOC CENTER - A PLACE TO BELONG THE DSAOC CENTER, LOCATED IN COSTA MESA, IS THE VENUE FOR MANY OF OUR ACTIVITIES, EVENTS, SEMINARS, AND SUPPORT GROUPS. IN ADDITION, MUCH OF THE DSAOC'S WORK INCLUDES OUTREACH AND COLLABORATION WITH AN EXPANDING NETWORK OF EDUCATORS, HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS, RESEARCHERS, THERAPISTS, EMPLOYERS, POLICYMAKERS, AND MANY OTHERS IN THE COMMUNITY. OUR MISSION IS TO CREATE A PLACE FOR CONNECTION, INFORMATION AND HOPE FOR PEOPLE WITH DOWN SYNDROME AND THEIR FAMILIES. AT OUR LOCAL SUPPORT GROUP MEETINGS AND SOCIAL EVENTS, FAMILIES FIND COMFORT, SUPPORT AND LONG-LASTING FRIENDSHIPS. DSAOC ALSO PROVIDES A FULL RANGE OF SERVICES IN SPANISH AND, INCREASINGLY, IN OTHER LANGUAGES.

NEW PARENT OUTREACH, INFORMATION AND REFERRALS THE DSAOC SUPPORTS FAMILIES WITH NEW BABIES WHO HAVE DOWN SYNDROME BY CONNECTING THEM WITH PARENTS WHO HAVE FACED SIMILAR CHALLENGES TO SHARE INSIGHT AND KNOWLEDGE. IN ADDITION, THE DSAOC PROVIDES THE FAMILY WITH "WELCOME BABY" BASKETS WHICH CONTAIN BABY GIFTS, HEALTH CARE GUIDELINES FOR CHILDREN WITH DOWN SYNDROME, CONTACTS FOR LOCAL RESOURCES, AND INFORMATION ABOUT DOWN SYNDROME. FURTHER, THE DSAOC HOUSES A FREE RESOURCE LIBRARY, COMPUTERS FOR INTERNET RESEARCH, AND CARING STAFF TO ANSWER QUESTIONS IN PERSON OR ON THE TELEPHONE. THE DSAOC PROVIDES ADDITIONAL INFORMATION THROUGH A PARENT GUIDE, MEDICAL CHECKLISTS, QUARTERLY NEWSLETTERS AND MEETINGS THAT FEATURE EXPERTS ON A WIDE RANGE OF ISSUES, SUCH AND HEALTH, EDUCATION, LEGAL MATTERS AND FINANCIAL PLANNING. PARTNERSHIP AND COLLABORATION WITH OTHER COMMUNITY RESOURCES IS AN IMPORTANT FOCAL POINT FOR THE DSAOC WHILE PROVIDING INFORMATION, REFERRAL SERVICES, AND SUPPORT TO FAMILIES.

ORANGE COUNTY BIKE CAMPSINCE 2008, DSAOC HAS BEEN HELPING CHILDREN, TEENS AND ADULTS WITH DOWN SYNDROME AND OTHER DISABILITIES LEARN TO RIDE A CONVENTIONAL 2-WHEEL BIKE. THROUGH A COLLABORATION WITH ICANSHINE AND UCP-OC, THE ORANGE COUNTY BIKE CAMP IS HELD ANNUALLY DURING THE SUMMER AND SUPPORTS 40 PARTICIPANTS EACH CAMP. BENEFITS TO THIS CAMP INCLUDE, ENHANCED HEALTH AND CONFIDENCE, IMPROVED ABILITY TO PARTICIPATE IN SOCIAL AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES WITH TYPICAL PEERS, INCREASED PARTICIPATION IN FAMILY ACTIVITIES, WITH FEWER SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS, PROUD, SELF-CONFIDENT, INDEPENDENT INDIVIDUALS RIDING REGULAR BICYCLES SAFELY IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS, AND IMPROVED TRANSPORTATION INDEPENDENCE FOR TEENS AND YOUNG ADULTS.