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Let's learn, together.

Resources for Everyone

What is Down Syndrome?
Click the link above to learn about what Down syndrome is, what causes it, how it's diagnosed, and what language is best to use when talking about individuals with Down syndrome.

People with Down Syndrome Share Their Story

Click the link above to meet individuals with Down syndrome from around the world.

Down Syndrome Misconceptions vs. Reality
There are a lot of misconceptions about Down syndrome.
Click the link above to read a few cited by the Global Down Syndrome Foundation.
Disability Sensitivity Training Video
by the District of Colombia Office of Disability Rights

Training for First Responders

The Emily Talk (featured in the film)
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Description:
The Emily Talk is a presentation by veteran first responder, Tom Felter, and his daughter, Emily Felter, who has Down syndrome. Their goal is to teach first responders and the wider community about how to interact with individuals with Down syndrome, autism, and other disabilities. 

Website: 
www.theemilytalk.com


Contact Info/Request Training:
TheEmilyTalk@gmail.com
Tom Felter and Emily Felter giving The Emily Talk presentation to a crowd of EMS professionals. Tom is gesturing to the projector screen, Emily is smiling.
Tom Felter and Emily Felter

Ethan Saylor Alliance
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Description:
The Ethan Saylor Alliance was passed in April of 2015 and was aimed at providing increased training for members of law enforcement and other public service entities on specific needs of those with developmental and intellectual disabilities.

The premise of the alliance is that self-advocates take the central role in educating and informing the community in regard to the specific needs of those with disabilities.

The Maryland Department of Disabilities was tasked with forming an alliance of self-advocates, family members, disability related professionals, educators and members of law enforcement. 

The alliance will form the framework needed to support and facilitate self-advocates as educators for law enforcement and other public service entities.


Website: 
https://mdod.maryland.gov/about/Pages/Saylor-Alliance.aspx#:~:text=The%20Ethan%20Saylor%20Alliance%20was,with%20developmental%20and%20intellectual%20disabilities.​

Contact Info/Request Training:
jennifer.eastman@maryland.gov​
A graduation headshot of Ethan Saylor, a young man with Down syndrome who wears a blue graduation gown and cap.
Ethan Saylor

Steve Slack

Description:

Steve Slack expertly trains law enforcement and other first professionals about intellectual and developmental disabilities, as well as co-existing conditions. He teaches about behaviors that might catch first responders off guard, such as stimming, difficulty processing, speech impairments, and more. He offers up practical lessons in communication, patience, sensory interventions, and other ways to treat people with disabilities with dignity and respect.

Steve has first-hand experience with intellectual and developmental disabilities. His son, Samual, has autism, and his daughter, Sophie, has Down syndrome.

Steve is also a National Down Syndrome Society advocate, and champions self-advocacy among the disability community.

Steve has trained organizations like the Kentucky State Police, West Virginia State Police, and the FBI. Reach out today to schedule training with your first responder group.
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Contact Info/Request Training:
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stevenbslack@icloud.com
DS-Ambassador Steve Slack and NDSS Public Outreach Associate David DeSanctis providing disability training to the Kentucky State Police.
Steve Slack and David DeSanctis

Niagara University First Responders Disability Awareness Training

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​Description:
The nation's premier training program and resource for first responders.

Website:
https://frdat.niagara.edu/

Request Training:
https://frdat.niagara.edu/contact/request-training/​
Niagara University First Responders Disability Awareness Training Logo. Includes the handicap logo, Police, Fire, and EMS logos in the four corners with red and blue backgrounds.

Disability Awareness Training by David Whalen
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​Description:
Most people want to show respect and sensitivity to people with disabilities. But they simply don’t know how, and with good reason: amid dozens of disabilities and millions who have them, there is so much to know that it overwhelms most people. That’s where David Whalen comes in.

An engaging speaker with nearly 20 years in the field of disabilities, he strips down the complex issues to their understandable essence — and clearly communicates the steps anyone can take to respond properly to people with disabilities.

Moreover, because every organization is different, every seminar is different. Whalen customizes his presentations to the specific issues, sensitivities, and level of awareness within each organization.

As a result, you get precisely the seminar your organization needs. Your people get an up close look at the lives of people with disabilities — and a wealth of tips for treating them with respect. Your organization becomes more welcoming — and better able to attract a greater diversity of experience and talent.


Website: 
www.disabilityawarenesstraining.com​

Contact Info/Request Training:
david@disabilityawarenesstraining.com
A headshot of David Whalen, a middle-aged white man with brown/gray hair, a white shirt and brown patterned tie, and a smile. Purple curtain background.
David Whalen

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Emily Felter (young woman with Down syndrome) smiles at the camera

Contact us at teacherofpatiencefilm@gmail.com.
Teacher of Patience, © 2022

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