Rock Your Socks on World Down Syndrome Day
2024-03-21 | AZ
Rock Your Socks! Spread the words of Kindness. Inclusion. Acceptance. Every year on March 21, people all around the world come together to celebrate World Down Syndrome Day by wearing brightly colored mismatched socks. March 21 is symbolic because people with Down syndrome have 3 copies of their 21st chromosome. Socks were chosen to represent Down syndrome because the karyotype or genetic image of a person’s set of chromosomes actually looks like mismatched socks.
What It Is and How It Works?
On March 21st, DSNetwork encourages schools, businesses, and organizations around Arizona to celebrate and create awareness on World Down Syndrome Day and wear their mismatched colorful socks. Together we will create a single global voice advocating for the rights, inclusion, and well-being of people with Down syndrome in our schools, community, and around the world. 3/21, World Down Syndrome Day, was selected to signify the uniqueness of the triplication (trisomy) of the 21st chromosome which is Down syndrome.
Please take photos of your organization rocking their socks and tag DSNetwork on social media #rockyoursocksaz
facebook.com/DSNetworkAZ linkedin.com/company/dsnetworkaz/ instagram.com/downsyndromenetworkaz/
Who Can Participate?
Anyone and Everyone! Our main goal is to raise awareness all around Arizona about Down syndrome and have everyone ROCK YOUR SOCKS. Our biggest supporters are local businesses and schools.
Why socks for Down syndrome?
Socks sort of resemble a chromosome and people with Down syndrome have an extra chromosome.
You can buy socks from us for only $3 a pair. All sock sale proceeds support our impactful programming, events and advocacy efforts. Socks can be picked up at the DSNetwork Family Enrichment Center located in Tempe or at any upcoming event. Our socks are only $3/pair for any DSNetwork family, school or non-profit organization. Socks are $5 a pair for any for-profit business. Please email info@dsnetworkaz.org with questions. We will email you to confirm our hours when your order is ready for pick up!

Northern Arizona Disability Resource Fair
2024-10-05 10:00 - 14:00 (America/Phoenix) | High Country Conference Center, 201 W Butler Ave, Flagstaff, 86001
Save the Date!
Introducing an Exciting NEW Event Focused on Disability Resources for People Living in Northern Arizona!
Learn about, and connect with, Northern Arizona’s diverse disability community. Meet individuals with disabilities of all ages, their families and caregivers, and get to know local service providers and disability organizations!
In Collaboration With:
High Country Adaptive Sports
Flagstaff Unified School District
United Way
• 35 exhibitors representing a wide range of local disability resources and supports
• FREE Admission & Free parking
• Refreshments, Entertainment & Door Prizes
www.nau.edu/ihd/ResourceFair

Down Syndrome Awareness & Acceptance Night - Phoenix Suns
2024-10-17 17:00 - 22:00 (America/Phoenix) | Footprint Center, 201 East Jefferson Street, Phoenix, 85004
DSNetwork, in partnership with GiGi’s Playhouse Phoenix and the Hip Hop Homies with Extra Chromies, are teaming up with the Phoenix Suns for an unforgettable evening!
You can purchase discounted tickets to the preseason Suns game (Suns Vs. Lakers on Oct 17) and be part of a night dedicated to raising awareness and celebrating individuals with Down syndrome.
Anyone who purchases a ticket through the link below will be invited into the arena early to watch the players warm-up from up close, we will have a sensory room set aside for our guests plus the Hip Hop Homies will be performing pre-game and at halftime!
Pre-Game Warmups Experience – Families will be able to enter the arena 2 hours before tip off at 5 pm and the pre-game experience will be from 5-5:30pm. Tip off is at 7pm.
But hurry – tickets are limited and only available until October 13!
BUY TICKETS TO SUNS VS. LAKERS GAME ON OCT 17

2024 Down Syndrome Walk Arizona
2024-11-23 | Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, United States
DSNetwork is pleased to announce our 22nd Annual Down Syndrome Walk Arizona! Save the date for our Circus themed funraiser event!
Step Right Up for Down Syndrome, November 23rd at the ASU Homecoming Parade! Watch this space for more details coming soon!

Sexuality for All Abilities - Book Reading & Discussion with Author
2025-02-02 13:00 - 15:00 (America/Phoenix) | DSNetwork Enrichment Center, 1445 E Guadalupe Rd Suite 103, Tempe, AZ, 85283-3953, United States
DSNetwork and Pathway to Work invite you to a book reading, discussion, and author signing of “Sexuality for All Abilities” with author, Katie Thune from Mad Hatter Wellness.

Attention Educators!

Here’s your chance to meet Katie Thune, the author behind “Sexuality for All Abilities.” This insightful manual empowers educators to comfortably and knowledgeably teach comprehensive sex education to young people with developmental disabilities.

Join us for an engaging book discussion and signing event! You’ll not only gain valuable background material and tools for effective parent partnerships (straight from Katie’s real-world experience!), but also dive into practical strategies for implementing successful sex education programs.

Updated with new material on gender, reflective questions, and personal stories, this second edition equips you with best practices for fostering healthy relationships and self-advocacy in students with developmental disabilities.

Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to enhance your teaching and support your students in leading full, self-advocating lives! Join us!

Katie Thune, MA Ed is an educator, author, and advocate for people with disabilities. She was a Special Education and Health teacher in Minnesota for 12 years and has extensive experience in curriculum writing and training on relationships and sexuality education for people with disabilities and their support systems. Katie is the president and founder of Mad Hatter Wellness whose mission is to create comprehensive sexual health education programming that educates, trains and empowers people with intellectual disabilities and their support systems. For more information visit: madhatterwellness.com
RSVP for Book Discussion

Rock Your Socks on World Down Syndrome Day
2025-03-21 | AZ
Rock Your Socks! Spread the words of Kindness. Inclusion. Acceptance. Every year on March 21, people all around the world come together to celebrate World Down Syndrome Day by wearing brightly colored mismatched socks. March 21 is symbolic because people with Down syndrome have 3 copies of their 21st chromosome. Socks were chosen to represent Down syndrome because the karyotype or genetic image of a person’s set of chromosomes actually looks like mismatched socks.
What It Is and How It Works?
On March 21st, DSNetwork encourages schools, businesses, and organizations around Arizona to celebrate and create awareness on World Down Syndrome Day and wear their mismatched colorful socks. Together we will create a single global voice advocating for the rights, inclusion, and well-being of people with Down syndrome in our schools, community, and around the world. 3/21, World Down Syndrome Day, was selected to signify the uniqueness of the triplication (trisomy) of the 21st chromosome which is Down syndrome.
Please take photos of your organization rocking their socks and tag DSNetwork on social media #rockyoursocksaz
facebook.com/DSNetworkAZ linkedin.com/company/dsnetworkaz/ instagram.com/downsyndromenetworkaz/
Who Can Participate?
Anyone and Everyone! Our main goal is to raise awareness all around Arizona about Down syndrome and have everyone ROCK YOUR SOCKS. Our biggest supporters are local businesses and schools.
Why socks for Down syndrome?
Socks sort of resemble a chromosome and people with Down syndrome have an extra chromosome.
Bulk Pre-Orders: Commit to selling at least 100 pairs of socks. No pre-pay necessary, just turn in the funds after you sell the socks. If you run out of socks, you can always request more pairs. These orders can be placed through our Bulk Pre-Order Form. Great for teachers/school employees, business owners, doctors offices, nurses, first responders, daycare providers, sports teams, student groups, and more! Pre-orders are due by February 7th.
Individual Orders: You can buy socks from us for only $3 a pair. All sock sale proceeds support our impactful programming, events and advocacy efforts. Socks can be picked up at the DSNetwork Family Enrichment Center located in Tempe or at any upcoming event. Our socks are only $3/pair for any DSNetwork family, school or non-profit organization. Socks are $5 a pair for any for-profit business. Please email info@dsnetworkaz.org with questions. We will email you to confirm our hours when your order is ready for pick up!
Order Socks and Rock ‘Em on March 21!
Bulk Order Form

Down Syndrome Caregiver and Community Education Day
2026-02-28 09:00 - 12:30 UTC | AZ
Join Phoenix Children’s and Barrow for a day of learning, connection, and empowerment at the inaugural Down Syndrome Community Education Day.

Join us for a day of learning, connection, and empowerment at the inaugural Down Syndrome Caregiver and Community Education Day, an event designed for families, caregivers, and professionals supporting individuals with Down syndrome.
This year’s program will feature leading specialists and advocates sharing current evidence-based insights and practical tools to enhance quality of life and lifelong development. Topics include Down Syndrome Regression Disorder, as well as Transition Planning and Self-Advocacy to help families and youth prepare for greater independence and confidence.
Register Here

Photoshoot - 2027 Calendar
2026-07-31 10:00 - 16:00, 2026-08-01 10:00 - 16:00, 2026-08-02 10:00 - 16:00 (America/Phoenix) | DSNetwork Enrichment Center, 1445 E Guadalupe Rd Suite 103, Tempe, AZ, 85283-3953, United States
It’s Here….A Cherished DSNetwork Tradition Continues
For more than 20 years, DSNetwork’s annual calendar has captured something truly special – the incredible spirit of individuals with Down syndrome in our community.
This isn’t just a calendar. It’s a celebration of joy and community. Individuals of all ages participate each year, and their portraits remind us of the beauty of being fully ourselves.
We’re inviting you to be part of this year’s calendar. Whether it’s your first time or a family tradition, we can’t wait to see you.
Photoshoot Dates
July 31, August 1 & 2 (Fri – Sun)
10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
DSNetwork Enrichment Center in Tempe
Time slots are limited and will be scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis. (We wish we could include everyone, but due to calendar space, we can only photograph around 90 participants each year.)
Our professional photographer, Neil Schwartz, will capture your loved one’s portrait—and we’ll send you the best digital shots to keep and share—just in time for the holidays.
Mark Your Calendar
We unveil the calendar at the Down Syndrome Walk Arizona during ASU Homecoming on November 21, 2026.
Choose a Day/Time for Calendar Photoshoot

AZ Cardinals Down Syndrome Awareness & Acceptance Night
2026-09-20 13:25 - 19:00 (America/Phoenix) | AZ
Join Down Syndrome Network Arizona, GiGi’s Playhouse Phoenix, SANDS, & Sharing Down Syndrome AZ for Down Syndrome Awareness & Acceptance Night with the Arizona Cardinals!
Gather your family, friends, and supporters for an unforgettable day of football, community, and inclusion as we celebrate individuals with Down syndrome and the many ways they enrich our lives.
The more tickets our community purchases, the more special fan experiences we can unlock! (more details to come).
Note, please be aware when you open the link to purchase tickets through the Cardinals GoFevo there will be a pop-up at the bottom regarding cookies with a DO NOT SHARE OR SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION button or agree and close.

Purchase Tickets
