Law Syndrome affects 100% of people with Down syndrome and other disabilities.

It’s a series of antiquated laws that impede the pursuit of a career and fulfilling their potential because of antiquated laws like subminimum wage, restrictive Medicaid/ SSI limitations and the SSI Marriage Penalty.

Help us fix these laws and end #LawSyndrome.

Click here to donate and help end #Lawsyndrome

As part of our celebration for our 40th Anniversary of NDSS, we are excited to announce our new three-year NDSS campaign to end #LawSyndrome once and for all!

This film celebrates 40 years of the National Down Syndrome Society and highlights the accomplishments of people from our community who weren't held back by limitations. Help us keep the fight going.

C21 RESTAURANT

For one night in October, this restaurant became the most powerful place in Washington D.C.

THE BILL

We are working on legislation that allows those with Down syndrome and other disabilities to:

1.

Seek competitive employment opportunities by increasing income limitations and ending sub-minimum wage practices

2.

Work and live where they desire by creating a more portable Medicaid program with greater flexibility

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3.

Benefit from more job opportunities driven by new tax incentives that small businesses and corporations will receive when hiring someone with Down syndrome or another disability

4.

Achieve economic-self-sufficiency from the expansion of successful disability programs like the National ABLE Program

CAMPAIGN PROGRESS

Your advocacy efforts during our "End #LawSyndrome" campaign supported significant movement in ABLE legislation nationwide.

Thanks to your dedication, individuals with Down syndrome are one step closer to having equal rights. The ABLE to Work Act and the ABLE Financial Planning Act nearly double the amount of money people who are working with Down syndrome can save in their ABLE accounts AND allows ABLE beneficiaries to roll over their regular 529 savings accounts to 529A (ABLE) accounts. This is a life-changing victory for thousands of people.

Despite these victories, Law Syndrome continues to limit our community to the poverty line. This is not acceptable. We must continue fighting for financial independence and making ABLE accounts more accessible to a wider population of the disability community. To do this, we need your help.

SHOW SUPPORT

Support the movement by posting a photo to social media with your fingers crossed – a symbol of hope that represents the intertwined 'law and life' we’re trying to decouple.

STORIES

How #LawSyndrome is affecting the Down Syndrome community.

Jon Stoklas

Despite winning gold medals, John Stoklas can’t hold a full-time position without putting his Medicaid at risk. Having no healthcare simply isn’t an option for an athlete.

AnnaRose Rubright

Before college, Law Syndrome made saving for AnnaRose’s tuition difficult. After college, it makes it almost impossible to say yes to the job she’s worked so hard for.

Justin Stacy

While Justin’s brother followed his dreams into the NFL, Justin himself won’t be able to pursue his dream job because of Law Syndrome.

Isla Newton

Isla won’t feel the effects of Law Syndrome until she turns 18; but when that happens, she’ll face issues with pursuing education, employment and her own independence.