-          Feb 2003: Over 1,350 members nationwide

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-          How many members do you have? DSAPI provides information openly to new parents and others who may need it but not all of those who get information packets and attend seminars sign-up for membership.  So, we have actually helped many more than the present membership of 1,350 families.  Then there is also a multiplier effect when you think of the family members, their friends, relatives, officemates, neighbors, etc.. etc...  The DSAPI hopes to spread accurate information as widely as possible since it is equally important for both the family to accept the child with DS as well as it is important for the society around the children to accept them and allow them to develop and grow to their full potential and to give them opportunities to lead as normal lives as possible.

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-          How open is the association to membership?  Just like DS, anyone can be afflicted by this condition, the membership is open to anyone.

Objective / Purpose / Aims / What we do

-          Provide Awareness & Understanding

-          Not my fault / replace guilt feeling with love, understanding, knowledge and hope

-          Facts and myths about DS

-          Someone who has been through the same experience can provide understanding and guidance in a different way from health professionals

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-          Changing Dimensions of Care

-          Transition of DSAPI

-          In the first 11 years, DSAPI focused on the family.  Since there are many, many more out there who need similar help and the resources of the association are limited, we are now looking at other ways to reach out to many, many more persons with DS and to society in general.  As we brought these concerns forward to the government agencies (DSWD, DEC, DOLE, DOH), their response has been very encouraging. 

-          DEC: distribute info sheets and memo to 45,000 schools for 500,000 public school teachers to read.  And to send out info sheets to over 3,000 nurses in the health & nutrition centers nationwide (c/o Director Thelma Santos)

-          DSWD: distribute memos and info sheets to all 16 regional offices (including ARMM). (c/o Director Bonoan)

-          NCWDP: Meetings already started to update the directory, to share information, and to disseminate the early intervention seminar to community-based centers nationwide (c/o Director Cate Fermin). 

-          The above agencies shall be represented at the 4^th National Convention on DS: Changing Dimensions of Care

-          What activities meet these objectives?

-          Advocacy

-          Advocacy is among the most important functions of the DSAPI as the concerns of families and persons with DS are brought out to the public in a manner that is intended to change the perception of DS and those affected by it. 

-          It is important for families and persons to realize that DS is not their fault, and that they should accept people with DS, and that society as a whole should likewise accept people with DS.  The number of persons affected by DS is estimated at 95,000 and they represent a big potential resource that can be a productive sector of society. 

-          National recognition and awareness campaign reached an unprecedented level in Feb 2003 on the first celebration of the National Down Syndrome Consciousness Month.  There were 8 TV appearances and at least 5 Radio interviews coupled with many features in newspapers.

-          The DOH has committed to distribute packets of information on DS to every barangay health center to promote awareness to those who may need it.  Through this effort, DSAPI aims to

-          Disseminate correct information through various programs:

-          Poster, Baby Book, EIS, Y2K, Bingo, Xmas Party, Lectures and seminars for medical professionals, Convention, Buddy Walk, Golf fund raising

-          Provide referral to DSAPI

-          Link new parents to support groups

-          It is up to the parents, families, or caregivers to respond in a manner that they are comfortable with and this may vary widely according to personal choices.

-          Where does funding come from?

-          Donations mostly from individuals and corporations who share in the cause of the DSAPI.   Many consider DSAPI as a good organization to donate to because most of the donations are used for funding projects and most of the work is done on a voluntary basis, and only a limited full-time staff is maintained by the DSAPI.

-          Golf fund raising (Feb), Buddy Walk, Bingo, Movie premieres, etc…

-          Foundation status: Donations to DSAPI are tax deductible

Last Updated Wednesday, February 04 2009 @ 06:24 PM GMT+8