Bill 182-Ontario Down Syndrome Day (2016)
BIG DREAMS – Ontario Down Syndrome Day – closer to a reality!
In 2015, our DSAH Executive Board members, Alyson Kowalchy (Secretary) and Jennifer Crowson (President) met with the Honorable Ted McMeekin, MPP (Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborough-Westdale) to discuss ways to promote awareness for Down syndrome in our community. These ladies planted a small seed that day – to do everything we could to have Ontario consider the proclamation of World Down Syndrome Day officially in Parliament. MPP McMeekin promosised to do what he could.
From left to right: Alyson Kowalchyk, Hon. Ted McMeekin, Jennifer Crowson.
During the preparations for World Down Syndrome Day 2016, DSAH heard back MPP McMeekin who had not forgotten the promised made the year before – he had found an MPP willing to bring this Private Bill forward and this conversation began a quick race to create a document that could serve as the Preamble to Bill 182: An Act to proclaim Ontario Down Syndrome Day . On April 4th, Bill 182 was introduced to Parliament.
On April 7th, a second reading and debate took place. Our DSAH members were there to witness the debate in the Ontario Legislature; to hear first hand why Bill 182 is important to all people in Ontario – not just those of us personally affected by Down syndrome. In those 50+ minutes we were reminded of the discrimination that people with Down syndrome have faced in our province and around the world and how this must stop. We were reminded of the abilities and contributions of all people – including those with ‘differences’ and it was declared loudly that the Province of Ontario “includes an extra chromosome”!!
We are pleased to provide you with a link to video showing the 50+ minutes of the debate from April 7th, 2016. We heard some great speeches. Some powerful statements were put forth in support for the Down syndrome community. Monique Taylor makes a great mention of our Fab Five Go21 Walk members in her speech. Click on the photo below to access the video.
We are grateful to all those how stood up to support Bill 182:
MPP Joe Dickson-Ajax-Pickering -Moved second reading of Bill 182.
MPP Lorne Coe– Whitby-Oshawa
MPP Cindy Foster-Welland
Hon. Helena Jaczek – Minister of Community & Social Services -Oak Ridges Markham
MPP Gila Martow -Thornill
MPP Monique Taylor – Hamilton Mountain
MPP John Fraser – Ottawa South
MPP Granville Anderson – Durham
MPP Bill Walker -Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound
MPP France Gélinas – Nickel Belt
MPP Shafiq Qaadri – Etobicoke North
We will keep you informed on the advances of this wonderful news. You can always support Bill 182 by writing to your MPP in your representative area and ask them to support Bill 182: An Act to Proclaim Ontario Down Syndrome Day as it is moved through the Legislative Process. We are excited for the opportunity to celebrate Ontario Down Syndrome Day March, 21st, 2017 as an OFFICIAL LAW.
World Down Syndrome Day -Open House EDUCATION -Event Program
Time to celebrate Down syndrome!
It is almost here- our 
celebration to mark this year’s World Down Syndrome Day ! We are very excited to welcome over 120 guests to the Art Gallery of Hamilton to our Open House: BIG DREAMS: Education-Advocating Beyond Inclusion. We are looking forward to hearing from an excellent Keynote Speaker, to be delighted by a Special Violin Performance and to learn more about Community Partners who have a great synergetic relationship to our Association in the services and products they provide. You can download a copy of the Event Program and read about our guests.
We look forward to seeing familiar faces, welcome new friends, hearing about our speakers and talking to our Community Partners. It is going to be a fantastic celebration because of all of you!
See you Saturday March 19th!
NDSAW -Day 2 “The Rainbow Kid” Hamilton Film Festival
On November 2nd, some of our members had the pleasure of attending the opening film – The Rainbow Kid – of the Hamilton Film Festival . The lead actor – Dylan Harman is pictured here with two of our members. Dylan’s performance was superb and reminded us all what is possible! The film was thought provoking and challenged stereotypes – great way to spend day two of National Down Syndrome Awareness Week.
Educational Workshop: Micro-nutrient Requirements & Metabolism in Down Syndrome Nov.18th
On Wednesday, November 18th, a few parents and practitioners welcomed Joan Jory, PhD., to Hamilton to speak to us about the role of nutrition and metabolism in the development of children and adults with Down syndrome. We are pleased to share Dr. Jory’s presentation here. Click in the link below to access the PDF file.
NDSAW- “Nurture The Ability” Art Workshop Nov1st
On November 1st , the Down Syndrome Association of Hamilton and the Dundas Valley School of Art collaborated to run an ALL AGES Open House-Celebration for our members to mark the start of National Down Syndrome Awareness Week in Canada. We were so please to welcome so many families to this event; Dundas Councillor Arlene Vanderbeek and DVSA’s Director Claire Loughheed kicked off the week and the celebrations. We thank Brittany Connelly Photography (http://www.brittanyconnellyphotography.ca/) for donating their talent and providing us with these wonderful photos to remember the day!
