July 11-13, 2008 - National Down Syndrome Congress 36th Annual Convention - The Seaport World Trade Center. Boston, MA. The NDSC Convention - it is three conventions in one. First is the general convention. It's a sprawling event made up of plenary sessions featuring inspiring keynote speakers and dozens of  workshops conducted by experts in every aspect of Down Syndrome. Side by side with the general convention is the NDSC Youth & Adults Conference conducted by and for teens and adults with Down Syndrome. Finally, there's NDSC Brothers & Sisters Conference.

July 16-20, 2008 - Developing Local Systems of Care - Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center, Nashville, TN. The National Technical Assistance Center for Children's Mental Health at the Georgetown University Center for Child and Human Development is offering Training Institutes on local systems of care for children and adolescents with or at risk for mental health challenges and their families. The intent of the Institutes is to provide in-depth, practical information on how to develop, operate, and sustain systems of care and how to provide high-quality, effective clinical interventions and supports within them. Systems of care emphasize community-based care, comprehensive and individualized services and supports, services provided within the least restrictive environment, full participation of families and youth, coordination among child-serving agencies and programs, and cultural and linguistic competence. The Institutes are designed for a variety of individuals including state and local policy makers, administrators, planners, providers, clinicians, care managers, families, youth, advocates, managed care organizations, educators, researchers, evaluators, students, and others concerned with improving services for children and families.

August 11-13, 2008 - International Conference on Diverse Abilities & Innovative Supports 2008 - Sheraton Waikiki Hotel & Resort, Honolulu, Hawaii. Life, Liberty, & the Pursuit of Community: Join your peers, colleagues and friends as together we explore topics such as: Dual Diagnosis, Direct Support Worker Issues & Solutions, Supervision & Management, Clinical Issues, International Best Practices, Self-Advocacy/Independent Living, Autism/Aspergers, Employment, and Caregiving.

September 4-6, 2008 - National Lifespan Respite Conference - Embassy Suites Des Moines, Des Moines, Iowa. The 2008 National Respite Conference attracts respite professionals, advocates, families and consumers from around the United States and provides an opportunity to come together in an effort to find better solutions to meet the needs of caregivers in our communities, states and in the nation. This year's conference is based on the theme “ Home Grown, Cultivating Cargivers.”

September 4-7, 2008 - Self Advocates Becomming Empowered 2008 - Indianapolis Marriot Downtown, Indianapolis, Indiana. Don't miss out on being a part of the largest gathering of self-advocates in the country!

September 18-20, 2008 - NCaeyc Annual Study Conference - Koury Convention Center, Greensboro, NC. The North Carolina Association for the Education of Young Children (NCaeyc) promotes excellence in care, education and services for all children, birth through age eight. NCaeyc is committed to supporting programs and professionals serving young children and their families.

December 3-6, 2008 - 33rd Annual Tash Conference  - Nashville Convention Center and Renaissance Hotel, Nashville, Tennessee. This year's theme is Social Justice in the 21st Century: achieving the full and equal participation of every member of society in a way that is shaped to meet each member's unique needs. Social justice provides a vision that all members are valued, physically and psychologically safe, and enjoy all aspects of life in their community. We achieve social justice for people who have significant disabilities in a variety of ways. This year's TASH conference will focus on the issues and trends in today's world as they relate to the bringing about social justice for people who have significant disabilities and their families.