C.W. Post to Co-sponsor Down Syndrome Seminar October 3
Free event open to educators, parents, students and community members

Brookville, NY - The School of Education at the C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University is co-sponsoring a seminar, "The Up of Down: An Insight into the World of Down Syndrome," on Wednesday, October 3, 2007 at 12:30 p.m. at the Top of the Commons in Hillwood Commons. Admission is free and open to the public.

The event, which also is being sponsored by Alexander's Angels, an organization that promotes the awareness of Down syndrome, will feature a panel of experts and family members whose lives have been touched by Down syndrome. A question and answer period will follow.

"Lots of things are changing for people with Down syndrome," said Kathleen Feeley, Ph.D., B.C.B.A., an assistant professor in the School of Education at C.W. Post. "Children with Down syndrome are being included in more aspects of school, the community and the neighborhood. It's important to keep people educated."

Guest speakers include Cecilia Barry, M.S., P.D. a school psychologist and director of intake and evaluation at the Association for Children with Down syndrome; Jack Dean, the father of an adult son with Down syndrome, an executive vice president at Power Battery Co. of Patterson, New Jersey and board advisor of the Down Syndrome Research and Treatment Foundation; Mike Hoffman, a founding member of the Down Syndrome Advocacy Foundation (DSAF), a not-for-profit organization that assists families and individuals with Down syndrome in accessing inclusive environments and the parent of four boys, one of whom has Down syndrome; Esther Gómez-Nieto, a graduate of the C.W. Post Campus, and grandmother to a 6-year-old boy with Down syndrome who was the catalyst for the founding of Alexander's Angels; and Dr. Feeley, a founding member of DSAF who also serves on the editorial board for the journal Down Syndrome Research and Practice.

From left: Ester Gomez-Nieto, Cecilia Barry, Michael Hoffman, Kathleen Feeley, Jack Dean		Dr. John Pruslow, C.W. Post professor of special education and literacy, with students

Down syndrome is a genetic disorder, estimated at one per 800 to 1,000 births. It is caused by the presence of all or part of an extra 21st chromosome. The symptoms of Down syndrome can vary widely from child to child. While some children with Down syndrome need a lot of medical attention, others lead very healthy and independent lives.

Hillwood Commons is located on the C.W. Post Campus at 720 Northern Boulevard (Route 25A) in Brookville, New York. For more information visit www.alexandersangels.com or www.dsafonline.org.

Posted: October 1, 2007