Down Syndrome Information Alliance

Home
United States
Sacramento, CA
Down Syndrome Information Alliance

DSIA provides support and resources to empower individuals with Down syndrome, their families, and our community.

We envision a community where people with Ds are empowered, respected as individuals, and accepted as valued participants in their community. DSIA was founded in 2004 by three families seeking greater access to support, information, and services in our community. Since then, we’ve grown as a dedicated non-profit organization serving Sacramento, Yolo, Placer, El Dorado, Nevada, Yuba, and Sutter counties. We envision a community where people with Down syndrome are empowered, respected as individuals, and accepted as valued participants in neighborhood schools, community activities, and the business world.

10/28/2026

Day 28 of Down Syndrome Awareness Month: ❌ Myth vs. Truth
MYTH: People with Down syndrome can't make decisions.
TRUTH: People with Down syndrome can make choices and decisions, with support when needed, just like many other people.
• People with Down syndrome can't work.
• People with Down syndrome can't live independently.
• People with Down syndrome don't have romantic relationships.
• People with Down syndrome are children forever.
• People with Down syndrome can't make decisions.
• Down syndrome determines someone's personality.
• A prenatal diagnosis tells you what a child's future will be.
• People with Down syndrome can't participate in sports.
• People with Down syndrome can't go to college or pursue further education.
• People with Down syndrome can't advocate for themselves.
• Families of people with Down syndrome all have the same experience.

10/26/2026

Day 26 of Down Syndrome Awareness Month: 💬 Words to Retire
“Suffers from Down syndrome.”
“Down’s baby.”
“Special needs” when unnecessary.
“High/low functioning.”

Respectful language matters because the words we choose shape how people with disabilities are seen, valued, and included in our communities. By using language that honors each person's dignity, identity, and individuality, we help break down stereotypes, challenge misconceptions, and create a more inclusive world.

10/26/2026

Day 25 of Down syndrome Awarenss Month: OUR VOICES MATTER

People with Down syndrome have voices, opinions, dreams, preferences, and the right to be heard!

Self-advocacy means speaking up for yourself, making choices, expressing your needs, and having a say in decisions that affect your life.

For individuals with Down syndrome, self-advocacy is about more than finding their voice. It's about making sure the world listens.

💜 Listen, don't assume. Give individuals the opportunity to share their thoughts, feelings, and preferences.

💚 Encourage independence. Support individuals in making their own choices, big and small.

💜 Include them in conversations. Speak directly TO individuals with Down syndrome, not just to their parents, caregivers, or support teams.

💚 Respect different ways of communicating. Not everyone communicates with words, but everyone has something to say.

💜 Empower, don't speak for. Offer support when needed, but make room for individuals to advocate for themselves.

Self-advocacy begins when we recognize that every voice matters and every person deserves to be heard.

At the Down Syndrome Information Alliance (DSIA), we believe in creating a community where individuals with Down syndrome are not just included in the conversation - they help lead it.

10/25/2026

💜💚 SPOTLIGHT SUNDAY: Meet Al Muir! 💜💚

Please join us in giving a BIG DSIA welcome to our newest Board Member, Alastair (Al) Muir! 🎉

You may already know Al as Nancy's husband or, even more importantly, MacKenzie's proud dad! But there's so much more to his story.

📚 An Educator & Advocate: After more than 30 years in education, Al recently retired, bringing with him a wealth of knowledge and a unique perspective. As both an educator and the parent of a daughter with Down syndrome, he understands what it's like to sit on both sides of the IEP table. He believes that children should never be limited by the expectations others place on them.

💪 A Proud Dad & Biggest Cheerleader: Whether supporting MacKenzie through high school cheerleading or practicing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (they BOTH have blue belts!), Al has always been one of her biggest advocates and supporters.

💚 A Passion for Community: These days, Al is focused on helping MacKenzie build friendships, strengthen community connections, and develop job skills - all while pursuing his own lifelong dream of becoming a writer!

We are thrilled to welcome Al to the DSIA Board of Directors! His experience as an educator, perspective as a parent, and passion for advocacy will be tremendous assets as we continue our mission to Connect, Support, and Empower individuals with Down syndrome and their families.

💜 Welcome to the team, Al! We're so glad you're here!💚

10/24/2026

Day 24 of Down Syndrome Awareness Month: WHAT SHOULD A NEW PARENT HEAR? Hope. Support. Accurate information. And the opportunity to meet people who know and love Down syndrome.

10/23/2026

💜💚 FUN FRIDAY: THE FUN ISN'T OVER YET! 🎉

Our first-ever 3·2·1 Co****le Classic may be over, but we're still celebrating and we're not quite at the finish line!

🎉 WE'VE RAISED NEARLY $18,000! 🎉

What an incredible accomplishment for our FIRST year! Thanks to the generosity of our amazing DSIA community, we've made a BIG impact. But we have one more goal in sight...$25,000 - AND WE NEED YOUR HELP TO GET THERE!

Every dollar raised helps the Down Syndrome Information Alliance continue doing what we do best: Connect, Support, and Empower individuals with Down syndrome and their families.

💜 Educational workshops and resources

💚 Support for new and expectant parents

💜 Family events, friendships, and community connections

💚 Life-changing programs like our iCan Shine Bike Camp

These opportunities make a meaningful difference in the lives of the families we serve - and many are offered at little or no cost because of people like YOU!

Whether you participated in the tournament, cheered from the sidelines, or couldn't make it this year, there's still time to be part of something special!

💚 HELP US REACH $25,000 — DONATE TODAY! https://charity.pledgeit.org/DSIA321cornhole

Every gift, big or small, brings us closer to our goal and helps us create more opportunities for our Down syndrome community.Let's finish our first Co****le Classic STRONG!💜💚

****leClassic

10/23/2026

Important Security Notice

We want to make our community aware that our nonprofit’s email account was recently compromised. Specifically [email protected]. We have sent an email notification to our contacts, but we also want to share this information here in case you missed it.

Please use caution with any recent emails you may have received from us, particularly those containing unexpected links, attachments, or requests for information. Please do not click on suspicious links or open unexpected attachments.

We apologize for any confusion or concern this may have caused. Protecting our community and maintaining your trust are very important to us, and we are taking steps to address the situation.

Thank you for your understanding and support.

10/23/2026

Day 23 of Down Syndrome Awareness Month: INCLUSION IS MORE THAN INVITATION. People with Down syndrome belong in classrooms, workplaces, community events, sports, and everyday life.

10/23/2026

💜💚 A Heartfelt THANK YOU to Lisa Sotelo! 💜💚

Sometimes, it takes one person's passion, dedication, and belief in a mission to reignite a spark. For DSIA, that person was Lisa Sotelo.

After COVID, when so many organizations were working to find their footing again, Lisa helped reignite the DSIA flame. She believed wholeheartedly in our mission to Connect, Support, and Empower individuals with Down syndrome and their families, and she poured her time, energy, and heart into helping our organization move forward.

Because of Lisa's dedication and leadership, DSIA has continued to grow, rebuild connections, and create meaningful opportunities for our community.

Now, Lisa is stepping down from her role with DSIA to focus on another incredibly important role - being present for her school-aged children and enjoying these precious years with her family. While we will certainly miss her involvement, we couldn't be more supportive of her decision.

Lisa, THANK YOU. Thank you for believing in DSIA, for stepping up when we needed you, for your countless hours of dedication, and most importantly, for helping keep the DSIA flame burning bright. Your impact on this organization and the families we serve will continue to be felt for years to come.

Please join us in thanking Lisa for everything she has given to DSIA and wishing her all the best as she embraces this next chapter! 💜

10/22/2026

💜💚 THANKFUL THURSDAY: A COMMUNITY THAT SHOWED UP IN A BIG WAY!

WOW! Our very first 3·2·1 Co****le Classic was truly something special, and this Thankful Thursday, our hearts are overflowing with GRATITUDE! 💜

What an incredible day of laughter, friendly competition, generosity, inclusion, and COMMUNITY!

To everyone who played, donated, fundraised, volunteered, sponsored, exhibited, cheered, or simply showed up to support DSIA - THANK YOU!

💜 To our amazing sponsors and community partners: Thank you for believing in our mission and helping bring this event to life!

💚 To our incredible volunteers and DSIA Board of Directors: Your countless hours of planning, hard work, and dedication made this day possible. We couldn't have done it without you!

💜 To Drake's: The Barn and the California Co****le Association: Thank you for helping us create such a fun, welcoming, and memorable first tournament!

💚 To our families, friends, and supporters: YOU are the heart of DSIA. Seeing our community come together to celebrate individuals with Down syndrome reminded us why this work matters so much.

From the bottom of our hearts, THANK YOU for making our first 3·2·1 Co****le Classic unforgettable!**

Together, we are building a stronger, more connected, and more inclusive community. 💜💚

****leClassic

Address

Sacramento, CA

Telephone

+19166581686

Website

http://www.downsyndromeinfo.org/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Down Syndrome Information Alliance posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.