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Topic: History of the National Down Syndrome SocietyFounded: June 20, 1979, by Betsy Goodwin and Arden MoultonSource: NDSS civic articleReading time: About 1 minuteKey Win: October is now officially Down Syndrome Awareness Month
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Good first step: Share A neighbor, teacher, or parent who cares about inclusion in schools and workplaces
Hey, did you know one mom started a whole national organization in 1979 to fight for people with Down syndrome? It helped change schools and job laws. Check out ndss.org to learn more!
The National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) has spent more than four decades fighting for people with Down syndrome. Founded in 1979 by two friends after one of their daughters was born with Down syndrome, NDSS has shaped laws, funded research, and built programs that change lives every day.
NDSS earned its nonprofit status on June 20, 1979, founded by Betsy Goodwin and Arden Moulton. Over the decades, NDSS has run national awareness campaigns, awarded research grants studying cognition, Alzheimer's disease, and other health topics, and launched Project Mainstream — a model program that placed students with Down syndrome in typical classrooms. NDSS also championed the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act to help people with disabilities build careers, established a National Policy Center in Washington, D.C., and helped create the Congressional Down Syndrome Caucus. The Buddy Walk, launched in 1995 with just 17 events, now counts more than 250 walks nationwide. A self-advocate with Down syndrome joined the NDSS board as a voting member, marking a landmark moment for inclusion within the organization itself.
You can use this history as a starting point. Whether you are a parent, educator, healthcare provider, or neighbor, knowing what NDSS has built gives you a clearer picture of the resources and advocacy networks already available. Look into local Buddy Walk events, share what you learn about Down Syndrome Awareness Month each October, and explore NDSS programs if you support someone with Down syndrome at home or in school.
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This resource connects to broader conversations about disability rights, classroom inclusion, and employment equity happening in Houston and across Texas. Local school districts, parent support groups, and community organizations working on special education or disability services may find NDSS's history and affiliate network a useful reference.
Understanding NDSS's history helps you see how far disability rights and inclusion have come — and what still drives the work today. Every milestone, from winning October as Down Syndrome Awareness Month to helping pass federal employment laws, started with ordinary people who decided to push for something better.
