"Stepping Up" Newsletter Archives

Previous issues of "Stepping Up" are available here for download as PDFs. A recent version of Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to view the files.

2022 Spring Issue I Download PDF (English)

Weaving & Leaving: Farewell message from Angela Jarvis-Holland
Every day, the world gets a little bigger
Message from Steven & Dan
Meet Allison Bailey—new Parent Outreach Coordinator
Kindergarten Inclusion Cohort (KIC) goes virtual
Meet Chelle Johnson, our new Kindergarten Transition & Education Coordinator
"Beating COVID" posters available in 11 languages
Vaccines against COVID-19 for all: From promise to reality / Vacunas contra COVID-19 para todos y todas: de la promesa a la realidad
Local disability community news round-up
Anti-viral treatment helps keep family out of hospital
Bring the COVID-19 vaccine to the community with this accessible event checklist / Elementos importantes para crear eventos accesibles de vacunación: Traer la vacuna a la comunidad
Bike on! Because inclusion matters

2021 Fall Issue | Download PDF (English) 

Buddy Fest Reflections Executive
Director Letter Buddy Fest Reflections 
¡La inclusión funciona!
Inclusion Works!
Vaccines with Care  Support Persons 
Personas de apoyo Healing with Community
Give a Little Gain a Lot
Rose City Comic Con
Nuestro trabajo continúa Our Work Continues
Recent Successes
Selected Writings
Kindergarten Transitions
Winter Fun! 
Upcoming Events 

2021 Summer Issue | Download PDF (English)

Beating COVID-the sequel to the successful Fighting COVID comic book-available now
Her path to a dream
Parent-to-parent support with new Outreach Coordinator Anna Herbig
We are here for you / Estamos aqui para usted
Thank you, Natalie!
From COVID to college: Separate is not equal
Disability rights: From exclusion to liberation
Vax'd Summer 2021
Betty's #myvaccinereason
Nuestra experiencia con la vacuna contra el COVID-19 / Our experience with the COVID-19 vaccine
When your starting point is everyone is in, everything changes
Getting ready for kindergarten

2020 Fall Issue I Download PDF (English) I Download PDF (Español)

United by Love
A New Sense of Normalcy
Tips for Parents & Teachers
Working Side by Side
Fighting Covid
Our Super Powers
Usamos una mascarilla
Wash Your Hands Graphic  I  Lávate las manos gráfica
Know Your Rights I Conoce Tus Derechos
Las voces de las familias
The Best Work
The Power of Planning
They Will Be Just Fine
#BuddyFestNW
Fear and Gratitude

2020 Summer Issue | Download PDF (English) | Download PDF (Español)

Summer Learning
Rapid Change & Resilience
Graduation Pride
Social Justice Youth
Los Sueños Si Se Cumplen
#BuddyFestNW

2019 Summer Issue | Download PDF
Circle of Support
Pedi Power
World Down Syndrome Day Recap
Summer Social Recap
Mirando al Futuro
Un ano de credimiento
Buddy Fest NW recap
ABI Conference recap
Co-teach Head Start
A Year of Growth
Kindergarten Inclusion Cohort
Here's to the Dads
New Parent Guide
Full Circle at OHSU
Social Justice Youth Camp
Looking Ahead

2018 Summer Issue | Download PDF
Sharing a dream of college
"Brave, not perfect"
Tribute to Donald Prescott
Making History
Buddy Fest NW recap
Dune buggy bandits inspire do-gooding
All Born (in) Cross-Disability Best Practices Educational Inclusion Conference 2018 Recap
Los talleres de RLC ayudan a construir comunidad / RLC workshops help build community
Rompiendo Barreras / Breaking Barriers
Students create Seaside Walk for Awareness for Down Syndrome benefiting NWDSA
Breaking barriers to inclusion: ABI’s Social Justice Youth Program presents a special video project
Social Justice Youth Program Summer Camp
Finding friends and support at Buddy Fest NW
A day of community and love
Expanding inclusive college options in the Northwest

2017 Summer Issue | Download PDF
"We belong in this space and this space belongs to us"
TCIOC receives capacity grant
NW Disability Support receives second generous grant from the Carol & Velma Saling Foundation
All Born (in) Cross-Disability Best Practices Educational Inclusion Conference Recap
Educational Leaders Learning Collaborative
Buddy Walk Festival 2016 Recap
My college life
Social Justice Youth Camp: “Nothing about them without them”
From our blog: “‘Tis the Season for IEP” by Susan Fleming
All Born (in) and Multnomah Early Childhood Program “Geo Teams” collaborate around Early Intervention
Vu family newlyweds give generous gift
Oregon among the first wave of ABLE savings plans available for individuals with disabilities
RLC workshops offer vital, no-cost trainings to parents

2016 Fall Issue | Download PDF
The kids are alright: the new Social Justice Youth Camp
Celebration: sometimes the journey is the destination
KIC grads ready for kindergarten transition
Other workshops provide transition resources
Educational advocacy expands
World Down Syndrome Day Celebration
Register today for the 18th Annual Buddy Walk® Festival
Self-advocates making a difference
11th Annual All Born (in) Cross-Disability Best Practices Inclusion Conference
Farewell to a friend & advocate
New Parent Guide now available in Spanish

2015 Winter Issue | Download PDF
College within reach for Oregonians with intellectual disabilities
Celebration: "All this work has come to something good"
Creando conciencia en nuestra comunidad
World Down Syndrome Day Celebration
Annual ABI Conference turns ten
17th annual Buddy Walk® Festival
Open Arms returns to Portland, expanded to include cross-disability families
NWDSA’s Bike First cyclists take summer for a spin during Bike Week
National Down Syndrome Awareness Month
Kindergarten Inclusion Cohort graduate leads 2015/2016 KIC session
Disability Rights Oregon achieves legal victory
Commemorating 25 years of the ADA
NWDSA/ABI at the 2015 TASH Conference

2014 Winter Issue | Download PDF
College-Bound: Making higher education a reality for all students
Celebration: We were hers—thoughts on fatherhood
'Brokerage 101' workshop helps families unpack complex changes to supports
A beautiful, sunny Buddy Walk brings record numbers
Greetings from our New Parent Outreach Coordinator
NWDSA/ABI receives Grassroots Grant from Meyer Memorial Trust
New parent-driven resource for families facing heart surgery

2014 Summer Issue | Download PDF
Buddy Walk Celebration: Investing in our families & dreams
Mothers telling stories
All Born (In) Kindergarten Inclusion Cohort
Reciprocal Learning Community
Summer Social
Bike Week
Dream Builders
Fred Meyer Community Rewards
We All Belong
New Board Members

2013 Fall Issue | Download PDF
It was a Dark & Stormy Walk
Celebration: Isaac's IEP Journey
Promotores
Giving Program

2013 Summer Issue | Download PDF
One little girl, one big difference
Celebration: Grow the Good
Reciprocal Learning Community
All Born (In) wrap up
Buddy Walk
Kindergarten Cohort
Bike First!
Stronger Together
Promotoras

2012 Winter Issue | Download PDF
We All Belong: The making of a documentary
Celebration: Building an inclusive preschool experience for Parker
Creating a resource for families facing heart surgery
2012 NWDSA Winter Social
NWDSA's new development chair
The spirit of Portland & SW Washington Buddy Walk Festival
Visibility! More role models with DS are taking the spotlight

2012 Fall Issue | Download PDF
Latest Kindergarten Cohort forming now
Helping Families Make Connections: Reciprocal Learning Communities
Summer Social in the sunshine: Families turned out in the heat for a day of fun
Gustav’s Octoberfest benefits NWDSA

2012 Spring Issue | Download PDF
Gearing up for All Born (In)
World Down Syndrome Day Celebrations
Helping NWDSA: Creativity and fundraising go hand in hand

2011 Winter Issue | Download PDF
Brunch brings families together: Reintroducing the Reciprocal Learning Community
Celebration: Breaking through and having a BLAST!
Buddy Walk Festival News: Sunshine and good times had by all
You're a hero to somebody (clown shoes optional)

2011 Fall Issue | Download PDF
Ready for Kindergarten: Cohort gives parents the tools to prepare for Kindergarten
Tee UP for Down Syndrome: Golf tournament to benefit NWDSA
Helping Families Make Connections: Reciprocal Learning Communities

2011 Summer Issue | Download PDF
Kindergarten Cohort graduates ready to take on kindergarten
Celebration: Bike First! helps people learn to ride
Annual Report Card: A look back at the work of the NWDSA this year
All Born In Wrap Up: Annual conference was a great success
Buddy Walk Festival News

2011 Spring Issue | Download PDF
All Born (In) just around the corner: "The right to belong doesn't go away when budgets are tight."
Advocacy in Action: NWDSA works to support our mission
Community Voice: Family prevails in struggle to get health care
Buddy Walk Festival News: Planning for 2011 walk is underway
Youth Group Receives Thank You: Founder of Home in India sends message

2010 Winter Issue | Download PDF
Kindergarten Inclusion Cohort: Building skills, building community
Tee UP for DOWN Syndrome builds community bridges
Community Voice: Self Advocate speaks at Eugene Buddy Walk
Buddy Walk News: 2010 breaks records
NWDSA Open House is a great success

2010 Summer Issue | Download PDF
ABI Conference Inspires New Teacher
Wednesday's Child is Full of Love
Family Corner: Saying Goodbye to School
NWDSA Finds a New Home
Buddy Walk News
Youth Group Gets Rolling

2009 Winter Issue | Download PDF
All Born (In): A picture is worth a thousand words
Celebration: Starting off on the right foot
Community Voice: Never too young to lend a helping hand
Family Corner: Deeper Meanings of Life
Buddy Walk News: 10 Years of Celebrating Down syndrome
The Treasure within our Community: Reflections from our Executive Director
Siblings in Action: Beavers step up and raise awareness

2009 Fall Issue | Download PDF
NDSC Conference Celebration: Building the family of my dreams
Community Voice: Norton & Barbara Peck Family Foundation
Buddy Walk News
Support the Work of the NWDSA

2009 Spring Issue | Download PDF
From NW to DC: Advocacy on the national level
Celebration: Happy Birthday to Eleanor
Introducing our Advisory Board
Community Voice: A message from Tony Starlight, an entertainer unlike any other
Family Corner: Encouraging others to expand their vocabulary
Buddy Walk News: Be a part of the action
Compassion and Solidarity: Difficult times bring us all together
Growth Through Sharing Stories: Reflections from our Executive Director

2008 Summer Issue | Download PDF
Taking our Message to Washington: Listening Session with Representative McMorris Rodgers
Celebration: Portland Buddy Walk Past to Present
Voz de la Comunidad: La Vida está Llena de Sorpresas
Community Voice: Life is Full of Surprises
Family Corner: What’s your story?

2008 Spring Issue | Download PDF
The Power of Partnership: Perspectives of a PSU Professor of Special Education
Celebration: Recognizing a Local Trailblazer
Community Voice: Open Arms on Both Sides of the River
Family Corner: A Poem for Lilly
Photo Gallery Tour 2008: Expanding Our Community
Buddy Walk News: 10 Years and Going Strong

2007 Summer Issue | Download PDF
All Born In Conference Draws Big Crowd
Celebration: Welcome Makena
NWDSA's New Home Base
Community Voice
Family Corner: A Brother's Perspective
Buddy Walk Time is Almost Here