The USA Down Syndrome Swimming Culture
Our Vision
Connecting T21 Swim Warriors to opportunities for personal growth as they journey
toward inclusion in local, national and international competition.
Our Mission:
USADSS is a non-profit 501(c)(3) that was formed to benefit swimmers with Down syndrome in their pursuit of competitive swimming, and to develop and support their participation in local, national and international competition throughout their athletic careers.
Our Assets
In 2024 we are partnering with Athletes Without Limits (AWL) to host a combined National Championship for all athletes who have intellectual impairment.
We host National and Regional Training Camps for swimmers with Down syndrome.
Our two Technical Advisors are available to help answer swim training questions from families, coaches and swimmers.
Our dream is to have a “Coaches Network” that connects coaches from all over the USA to share ideas about how to best support their T21 Swim Warrior.
We celebrate the personal achievements of our T21 Swim Warriors, and the inclusive swim communities that support them.
Our National Team Zoom calls keep or elite squad focused on their goals and developing camaraderie for future in person events.
We promote regional swimming “adventures” for the USADSS community to connect at established swim meets.
As the registered National Sports Organization for (DSISO), USADSS will select the USA’s National Down Syndrome Swimming and Artistic Team for DSISO regional and world championships. Qualifying times and other selection criteria may apply.
By joining both USADSS and DSISO: The Down Syndrome International Swimming Organization, your USA athlete will be eligible for international Down syndrome swim records. All international meets and records are in metered pools (Short Course Meters, SCM or Long Course Meters, LCM). The records database includes: Open Division, Junior Division (16 and under), Senior Division (17-24), Masters 1 Division (25-34) and Masters 2 Division (35+ years).
We advocate for inclusion in competitive swimming by developing relationships with influencers in the swimming and Down syndrome community.
This non-profit is 100% volunteers We are a passionate group, proud of our athletes and hopeful for the future. Would you like to JOIN THE JOURNEY? Please Email us at Join@USADSS.org if you have any questions.
Our Values:
Sportsmanship
Why: At our core, we are a USA national team. With that privilege comes the expectation that all T21 Swim Warriors and supporters will show respect to self and others, abide by the rules, compete with pride, and be gracious in victory and defeat.
Grit
Why: USADSS is inspired by the heart of a T21 Swim Warrior. Through extraordinary determination and persistence, each swimmer must overcome the challenges of Down syndrome, including low muscle tone, personal health deficits, and slow processing.
Inclusion
Why: With access to high performance training, creative inclusion, and a close-knit family of supporters, a T21 Swim Warrior gains the confidence necessary to train, travel, and compete. These inclusive swim adventures help the T21 Swim Warrior develop a feeling of belonging, social skills, intrinsic motivation, resilience, independence, self-advocacy and pride. That higher level of independence leads to more opportunities for inclusion, and a better quality of life.
Health
Why: The health benefits of swimming competitively are indisputable. This allows a T21 Swim Warrior to live their best life by having the energy and endurance to work and play hard.
CHECK OUT THE GLOBAL DOWN SYNDROME FOUNDATION FOR RESEARCH ON THE HEALTH OF PEOPLE WITH DOWN SYNDROME.
Gratitude
Why: USA Down Syndrome Swimming knows that T21 Swim Warriors cannot be successful without the kindness and dedication of their supporters.
