| Membership Information |
| Download this information along with the membership application. |
| BUDS provides opportunities and resources for its members in these areas: Friendship, Inclusion and Advocacy. |
Friendship
One of the biggest benefits BUDS offers is the opportunity to meet other
families with similar interests as yours, and thereby establishing friendships.
These friendships are formed between parents and siblings of the children
with Down Syndrome and, more importantly, between the children
themselves.
A common concern of many parents is whether or not their children will
establish valuable, long-lasting friendships. This is even more of a concern
when the child has special needs. For this reason, BUDS has formed
FRIENDRAISER events. These are monthly events organized by BUDS that
invite members to come and enjoy getting acquainted with other members in
an informal, fun environment.
There are FRIENDRAISER events for all ages -- bowling parties, miniature golf
outings, teen dances, a spring egg hunt, trips to the zoo, hayrides in the fall
and brunch with Santa, to name a few.
All of these events have the goal of bringing together our members in order
to facilitate lasting, life-long friendships. As a member of BUDS you will
receive newsletters and monthly reminders informing you of these.
One of the biggest benefits BUDS offers is the opportunity to meet other
families with similar interests as yours, and thereby establishing friendships.
These friendships are formed between parents and siblings of the children
with Down Syndrome and, more importantly, between the children
themselves.
A common concern of many parents is whether or not their children will
establish valuable, long-lasting friendships. This is even more of a concern
when the child has special needs. For this reason, BUDS has formed
FRIENDRAISER events. These are monthly events organized by BUDS that
invite members to come and enjoy getting acquainted with other members in
an informal, fun environment.
There are FRIENDRAISER events for all ages -- bowling parties, miniature golf
outings, teen dances, a spring egg hunt, trips to the zoo, hayrides in the fall
and brunch with Santa, to name a few.
All of these events have the goal of bringing together our members in order
to facilitate lasting, life-long friendships. As a member of BUDS you will
receive newsletters and monthly reminders informing you of these.
Inclusion
Inclusive Education is defined as the opportunity for all students, regardless
of their disability, to be educated in age-appropriate regular classes in their
neighborhood school.
One of the primary goal of BUDS is to educate our families about the laws
that are available to protect our children regarding their education. It is our
intent to empower parents with the knowledge they need to get the
education they feel is best for their child.
All of us have a vision for our child's future. For some, that vision may
involve our child attending his or her neighborhood school with siblings
and local friends. For others, it may not. Regardless of your family's vision,
it is important to understand what laws are available to protect your child as
he or she enters the educational setting.
Since September 2000, BUDS has been the recipient of an annual grant from
the Division of Developmental Disabilities which enables us to offer a
variety of training programs and workshops to our membership regarding
inclusion.
We encourage all families to attend these workshops in order to learn about
the services that are available for our children. This will enable you to make
the most educated decision about what choice is right for your child and
your family.
REMEMBER: Special Education is a service, not a place.
Inclusive Education is defined as the opportunity for all students, regardless
of their disability, to be educated in age-appropriate regular classes in their
neighborhood school.
One of the primary goal of BUDS is to educate our families about the laws
that are available to protect our children regarding their education. It is our
intent to empower parents with the knowledge they need to get the
education they feel is best for their child.
All of us have a vision for our child's future. For some, that vision may
involve our child attending his or her neighborhood school with siblings
and local friends. For others, it may not. Regardless of your family's vision,
it is important to understand what laws are available to protect your child as
he or she enters the educational setting.
Since September 2000, BUDS has been the recipient of an annual grant from
the Division of Developmental Disabilities which enables us to offer a
variety of training programs and workshops to our membership regarding
inclusion.
We encourage all families to attend these workshops in order to learn about
the services that are available for our children. This will enable you to make
the most educated decision about what choice is right for your child and
your family.
REMEMBER: Special Education is a service, not a place.
| All of life is a journey, and this website is no exception. Check back very soon for updates! |
Advocacy
The definition of an advocate reads: a person who publicly supports or
recommends a particular cause or policy. A self-advocate, then, would
have to be defined as a person who publicly supports or recommends him
or herself.
Another goal of BUDS is to encourage our children to be self-advocates.
People like Chris Burke (star of the popular TV show Life Goes On) have
paved the way for thousands of individuals with Down Syndrome to follow
their dreams and set high standards for themselves.
The time has come for all individuals with or without disabilities to stand up
and be counted.
"The woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those who
sang best."
-Henry Van Dyke
The definition of an advocate reads: a person who publicly supports or
recommends a particular cause or policy. A self-advocate, then, would
have to be defined as a person who publicly supports or recommends him
or herself.
Another goal of BUDS is to encourage our children to be self-advocates.
People like Chris Burke (star of the popular TV show Life Goes On) have
paved the way for thousands of individuals with Down Syndrome to follow
their dreams and set high standards for themselves.
The time has come for all individuals with or without disabilities to stand up
and be counted.
"The woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those who
sang best."
-Henry Van Dyke
