Advocacy
3/21 is World Down Syndrome Day!
3/21 is World Down Syndrome Day!
2026’s World Down Syndrome Day theme is "I Have Down Syndrome And I Belong"
Let's Advocate and Celebrate!
We’ve got you covered for your World Down Syndrome Day celebration:
Wild socks are back! Order pairs of mismatched socks that celebrate and advocate for individuals with Down syndrome, all while supporting the DSAmd mission.
Classroom lesson plans about Down syndrome are virtual and free. They are divided by age group of student, and are matched to Maryland curriculum standards.
Advocacy Rally & Party in Annapolis: we co-host a rally and a party with elected officials in Annapolis every year, to advocate and fight for the needs of the disabled community and specifically those with Down syndrome. This year’s event is Thursday, March 19th in the afternoon, in Annapolis. DSAmd can support mileage, tolls, and parking for interested families. RSVP is required - get all the details on Eventbrite.
Complete: Building the Self-Advocate is a two-part workshop series designed to help self-advocates build confidence, practice advocating for themselves, and express themselves through creativity, movement, and play. This workshop can also serve as a skill-building lead-in for self-advocates who may be interested in sharing their stories or participating in advocacy/leadership opportunities at Maryland’s official World Down Syndrome Day celebration in Annapolis on March 19 — or future DSAmd opportunities. Participation in future events is always optional and guided by individual choice.
FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions:
What do I do with a classroom advocacy kit?
Give the kit to an educator or a worship leader, and thank them for delivering the message. If you or your loved one has Down syndrome, complete a personalized "All About Me" flyer to go with it! Share with school leadership, too.
Has DSAmd done this before?
YES! We typically offer paper kits, supplies, and more. In 2022, 74 Classroom Advocacy kits were deployed in 7 counties around the state of Maryland! Assuming an average class size of 18, that means 1,332 students received advocacy and the opportunity to learn about individuals with Down syndrome thanks to everyone’s efforts. In 2023, we estimate we reached more than 1,600 students. In 2024, we reached over 2,200 children in schools with both socks and kits. In 2025, we distributed classroom advocacy kits in 12 counties of Maryland. Unfortunately in 2026, we can not afford to continue printing paper kits. If you’d like to get involved to bring this program back, please reach out: info@DSAmd.org / 410-321-5434
Why Socks?
“In 2013, the theme of Wearing Odd Socks was initiated to raise awareness. Over time it has also been promoted as Lots of Socks. The idea was created because chromosomes are shaped “like socks” and people with Down’s Syndrome have an extra chromosome.
People all over the world wear colorful, attractive, crazy socks on WDSD to get noticed. Other sock themed activities like puppet making and games are also carried out in schools, playgroups, daycares and workstations.
From the USA to Australia, the unique talents and abilities of people with Down Syndrome are celebrated. To get people talking and asking questions, the organizers of WDSD recommend wearing, “not just any socks, brightly colored socks, mismatched socks, long socks, printed socks, one sock. Maybe even three socks, one for each chromosome.”" - Excerpt from Arkansas Down Syndrome Association (ardownsyndrome.org - accessed February 2021)
What can we do with wild, mismatched socks?
Wear them to the office, to class, to worship, and to public places …and talk about what the socks represent and mean to you.
A note about language: We discourage the use of the word “crazy” wherever possible because it’s not kind to those with chronic, persistent mental illness nor does “crazy” well-represent individuals with Down syndrome. Thanks!
What guides our work
We advocate for the value, acceptance and inclusion of all people with Down syndrome by making connections and building community.
We are a proud member and financial supporter of the Maryland Down Syndrome Advocacy Coalition.
We pledge to help our elected officials get to know real people with Down syndrome and their families at our events.
In support of school-age self-advocates: We are an appointed member of the Maryland State Education Advocacy Coalition (SESAC.)
In support of adult and teen self-advocates:
We are an appointed member of the steering committee of the Ethan Saylor Alliance.
We are an appointed member of the Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias Council in Maryland.
We proudly amplify messages that encourage and support voting initiatives for individuals with disabilities.
Annual Walk Event
We proudly leverage our biggest event of the year - a walk-a-thon - to celebrate and advocate for individuals with Down syndrome.
At the same time, we learned through virtual events during the COVID-19 pandemic that walk events within elected officials’ districts are meaningful ways to advocate with legislators.
In 2020 and 2021, we welcomed approximately 15 elected officials each year to participate with our families in their own communities.
In 2022, we welcomed 16 elected officials who got involved with the walk, including two federal legislators.
Over 1,000 participants join us in Baltimore to walk, to celebrate, to play, and to make vital connections with resources in the community. In 2025, we unveiled a second walk-a-thon event on the Eastern Shore.
See what we’ve done in the past five years - and never miss an update! - by following the hashtags: #StepUpBaltimore and #StepUpEasternShore
Learn more about this year’s events at: StepUpBaltimore.org and StepUpEasternShore.org