The Matthew Foundation has been formed to improve the quality of life for persons with Down syndrome and developmental disabilities over their entire life span. We are taking a multi-prong approach to address different challenges that persons with Down syndrome and developmental disabilities face. We can IMAGINE what it will be like to live in a society that welcomes all people with developmental disabilities and hope you will join us in making it a reality. Please see our video below.
IMAGINE from The Matthew Foundation on Vimeo.
Research & care
We support research and believe in the possible impact research can have on the life of a person with Down syndrome. The first programs The Matthew Foundation introduced were to support research.
We established the first and only endowed fund for Down syndrome research at Stanford University. Soon thereafter, we became Founding Sponsors of Trisomy 21 Research Society. In 2018, in conjunction with LuMind RDS Foundation's support of Stanford research, we are further supporting Stanford's Down syndrome research and set up an expendable fund.
We are also supporters of NIH's DS-Connect registry where people with Down syndrome and their families can connect with researchers and health care providers, express interest in participating in clinical studies, and help people better understand the health of people with Down syndrome across their lifespan.
We established the first and only endowed fund for Down syndrome research at Stanford University. Soon thereafter, we became Founding Sponsors of Trisomy 21 Research Society. In 2018, in conjunction with LuMind RDS Foundation's support of Stanford research, we are further supporting Stanford's Down syndrome research and set up an expendable fund.
We are also supporters of NIH's DS-Connect registry where people with Down syndrome and their families can connect with researchers and health care providers, express interest in participating in clinical studies, and help people better understand the health of people with Down syndrome across their lifespan.
Inclusive Practices
Thomas Hehir
Keynote - click here to watch Dr. Hehir's presentation
2020 Down Syndrome Advocacy Foundation Education Conference
Dr. Thomas Hehir served as the Director of Special Education at the U.S. Dept of Education and retired as Professor of Practice, Harvard’s Graduate School of Education. He authored several books including, Effective Inclusive Schools: Designing Successful Schoolwide Programs and New Directions in Special Education: Eliminating Ableism in Policy and Practice. Over his long and influential career in public service, policymaking, teaching, and research, Dr. Hehir has been a unique and vital voice for students with disabilities, their parents, and educators.
Keynote - click here to watch Dr. Hehir's presentation
2020 Down Syndrome Advocacy Foundation Education Conference
Dr. Thomas Hehir served as the Director of Special Education at the U.S. Dept of Education and retired as Professor of Practice, Harvard’s Graduate School of Education. He authored several books including, Effective Inclusive Schools: Designing Successful Schoolwide Programs and New Directions in Special Education: Eliminating Ableism in Policy and Practice. Over his long and influential career in public service, policymaking, teaching, and research, Dr. Hehir has been a unique and vital voice for students with disabilities, their parents, and educators.
We support inclusion through education, sports and other activities. We are very excited to be organizing an annual celebrity Super Fest, a Football and Cheerleading Clinic for all youth including teaching those with intellectual disabilities the game of American football. Super Fest will take place the week of the Super Bowl in the same city as the Super Bowl.
We are signors to Commit to Inclusion which is an outcome of the Global Partnership on Children with Disabilities (GPcwd) Task Force on Physical Activity and Sport.
Thirdly, we are launching an inclusive pizza making class with Umberto's Pizzeria & Restaurant in Manhasset. Umberto's was Voted Best Pizza on Long Island, NY by Long Island Press for many years and was featured on Food Network.
We are signors to Commit to Inclusion which is an outcome of the Global Partnership on Children with Disabilities (GPcwd) Task Force on Physical Activity and Sport.
Thirdly, we are launching an inclusive pizza making class with Umberto's Pizzeria & Restaurant in Manhasset. Umberto's was Voted Best Pizza on Long Island, NY by Long Island Press for many years and was featured on Food Network.
Employment
|
|
We support employment as a means to independence and self-confidence as people transition to adulthood. We are employment catalysts and are working with employers to hire adults with Down syndrome and other developmental disabilities and are helping them access training.
We are proud to announce that BaxterStorey, a major UK hospitality company we approached, has hired their first employee with Down syndrome and we were able to help access training for them through Down's Syndrome Association UK's WorkFit program.
We are proud to announce that BaxterStorey, a major UK hospitality company we approached, has hired their first employee with Down syndrome and we were able to help access training for them through Down's Syndrome Association UK's WorkFit program.
The Matthew Foundation has received statewide recognition and has established national and global relationships in its efforts to support the Down syndrome community. We were acknowledged by the New York State Senate when they passed the resolution to recognize Down Syndrome Awareness Day on March 21.
