About Us
Virginia Down Syndrome Association (VDSA) was established in 1983 by a dedicated group of people who sought to improve the lives of those affected by Down syndrome (Ds) in the Greater Richmond area. VDSA has grown enormously in the last 40 years, from a small, informal grassroots organization to a non-profit organization serving over 740 families with a member with Ds. VDSA's service area is extensive and covers an expansive area of Central Virginia east to Newport News, north to Fredericksburg and Harrisonburg, west to Nelson County, and south to the Virginia border, including 52 counties and 16 cities. VDSA serves the entire lifespan and generally welcomes between 25 and 30 new babies annually and another 50-75 families of children older than age 1. VDSA provides families support and resources through a cadre of successful programs, one to one family resource navigation and individualized family support, and a peer-to-peer mentoring program. Membership to the VDSA is free and welcoming to all families in Virginia. VDSA's strategic priorities include: Educate families and the community through resources of all types, mentoring, and educational support throughout life; Empower independence, life planning, advocacy and increasing program capacity to meet the needs of our families; Engage the community by expanding outreach, increasing diversity, and creating opportunities for volunteers to own and lead initiatives.