Two speakers from the National Down Syndrome Congress (NDSC) will present their personal stories and support those touched by Down syndrome. Newlyweds Austin Davenport and Christi Hockel are self-advocates for the NDSC, which strives to create equal opportunities for people with Down syndrome by educating the community.
Davenport has served on the board of various organizations including the Down Syndrome Guild of Dallas. Hockel works to prove that while there are a number of hardships to face, those with Down syndrome can still live joyous and meaningful lives. Each will share personal stories of distress, happiness and information about their lives.
The NDSC is a non-profit organization run by a 22-member board of directors composed of parents and family members of individuals with Down syndrome, self-advocates like Austin and Christi, and other individuals involved with people with Down syndrome. Their mission is to “provide information, advocacy and support concerning all aspects of life for individuals with Down syndrome.”
The Alice S. Neeley Special Education Institute at TCU works with the TCU laboratory schools, Starpoint and KinderFrogs, to create and organize activities, programs and research in special education. It is currently working to provide the best learning environments for TCU students to become valuable leaders in special education, engage students and faculty in research to implement the best practices in special education, and allow participation in community outreach to improve the inclusion of children and youth with disabilities and their families in community-based activities.
For more information, contact event coordinator Lauren Guerra, l.a.guerra@tcu.edu or Nancy Meadows, director of the Alice S. Neeley Special Education Institute at TCU, n.meadows@tcu.edu.