News & Events

GENERAL and ONGOING PROGRAMS

RideABILITY Therapeutic Riding Center is a non-profit therapeutic horsemanship program dedicated to improving the bodies, minds and spirits of people with special needs.  Therapeutic riding and other equine assisted activities can help students develop strength, balance, control, self-confidence and self-esteem.

RideABILITY operates at Harris Heights Farm in Rankin County between Brandon and Florence.  The center is a member of the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA) and RideABILITY's instructors are NARHA-certified.Group and private classes are taught on a weekly basis.  Lessons fees are charged based on a sliding fee scale.  RideABILITY follows NARHA guidelines to determine who can safely ride and who will benefit from therapeutic horsemanship activities.   For additional information, to apply for enrollment or to apply to volunteer, please contact Christy Henderson at 601-750-6735.

Research Project

CMDSS 2009 Calendar
If you are interested in having your child in the 2009 calendar, fill out the participation agreement.  Preference will be made for selection of children who have not been in the calendar in the last 5 years.  Click here to download participation agreement

CMDSS Training Grants for Teachers
Scholarships are available for teachers and other educational professionals who have direct supervision of a person with Down syndrome. Funds may be used in the classroom to further educational goals or to attend workshops, conferences, classes or training which will benefit the children with Down syndrome in their classroom.  Click here to download grant

CMDSS Training Grants for Direct Support Professionals
Scholarships up to $500 will be awarded for qualified applicants that can be used to cover general costs of training, conferences, institutes, and other learning venues.  Click here to download grant

CMDSS Summer FunD Program
Let’s have some fun!  Funds are available for individuals with Down syndrome to attend organized social, educational, sports, arts, dance, or general activity camps, classes, events or activities.  These are not need-based, but rather fun-based grants.  Click here to download grant

Summer Camp Info
Here is some info on summer camps for special needs kids as collected by Mary Parks.  Click here to download list


UPCOMING EVENTS

Times Square Video Contest

Celebrate the 15th Anniversary of the Buddy Walk® by entering the Times Square Video Contest. The video, which showcases individuals with Down syndrome from all over the world, will air on a jumbo screen in the heart of Times Square on September 26, 2009 at 10:30 a.m. The New York City Buddy Walk will immediately follow the video presentation at the Great Hill in Central Park .
Each year, NDSS receives thousands of photo submissions for the Times Square Video Contest. Because the Buddy Walk promotes acceptance and inclusion of individuals with Down syndrome, the winning photographs feature children, teens and adults with Down syndrome working, playing and learning with friends and family.
For more information, or to submit a photo, please click here. The deadline for submitting photos is July 15, 2009.
ONE photo per individual can be submitted to the contest. Please note that this is different than in the past. If you send more than one photo, NDSS will only use the first submission.

Winners will be contacted by a representative from NDSS via email starting the week of August 3, 2009. You will not be contacted if your photo is not selected. Photographs will not be returned.
Click here to view the 2008 Times Square Video.
For further questions about the contest, contact me at timessquarevideo@ndss.org.
Best,
Becky
Rebecca Switalski
National Buddy Walk Director

 

General Information
Following the success of the first Buddy Walk, CMDSS volunteers hit the ground running with several programs that include:

  • New Parent Resource Guide

  • Educational Programs

  • Family social events

  • Resource Library for Families

  • Annual Buddy Walk

Our educational seminars have covered a wide variety of topics ranging from occupational therapy issues to an often overlooked topic, Legal and Estate Planning for Families with a Special Needs Child. CMDSS plans to continue hosting educational seminars on important family issues featuring experts on behavioral issues, getting starting in your school district, and transition from school to adulthood. 

In addition to these established programs, CMDSS will be establishing a teen/young adult group which would be primarily a social and educational program. Group activities would include field trips to water parks, museums, sporting events, bowling, movies, social events, etc., as well as educational programs pertinent to this age group.


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