My son, Aiden, is like the king of his school. Everybody knows and likes him. He's funny, outgoing, and just happens to have Down syndrome. It's never held him back and he just graduated from elementary school with his friends this spring. 

Aiden and our family thought he would continue on to 7th grade with his classmates at his hometown school but suddenly we were told that because Aiden has Down syndrome, he can’t attend the same middle school as his peers, friends and siblings — he’d have to be bused to a neighboring district. 

We think this is wrong. And we are demanding that Aiden is included, not excluded, from the educational environment that is best for him.

We have the support of our community and of the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS). In 2015, and after 25 years of the passage of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), every public school should be able to accommodate a student with Down syndrome or another disability in the classroom. People with Down syndrome are living longer, healthier and productive lives, attending post-secondary education programs, getting married, obtaining gainful employment, and are more integrated into the fabric of society than ever before.

Aiden has the right to attend his local school for many reasons, including a recognition of his basic human dignity, as well as the lawful protections that advocates of special needs children have fought so hard to achieve thus far. Fostering Aiden’s community network is essential to cultivating his future success and ensuring his ability to live a productive life as a contributing member of society. 
 
Please help support “Aiden’s Battle” for inclusive education in his local school.