IIDSC 2026 at a glance
IIDSC 2026: A Celebration of Ability, Expression, Hope and Inclusion
Bhubaneswar, Odisha | 17–20 September 2026
There are conferences that inform. There are conferences that inspire. And then there are conferences that leave you with a feeling that stays long after the last session has ended.
IIDSC 2026 was one such conference.
The India International Down Syndrome Conference 2026, organised by the Down Syndrome Federation of India (DSFI), brought together families, persons with Down syndrome, self-advocates, doctors, therapists, educators, professionals, organisations and supporters in Bhubaneswar from 17 to 20 September 2026.
But IIDSC 2026 was never just about sessions and speakers. At its heart, it was about people — their abilities, their dreams, their fears, their relationships and their hopes for the future.
And above all, it was about giving persons with Down syndrome the space to express themselves.
A Beginning Filled with Pride
The conference opened on 17 September with a vibrant inauguration that reflected the spirit of the four days ahead.
The ceremony included an inaugural prayer by Ms. Babli Ramachandran, a prayer song by the Odisha self-advocate group, the lighting of the lamp by self-advocates and guests, and an inaugural dance. A particularly meaningful moment was the welcome by self-advocate Subhranshu Maharana, with subtitles, giving the opening ceremony a strong voice from the community itself.
The Chief Guest for the Opening Ceremony was Dr. Monalisa Bal, Chairperson, KIIT International School. Her presence and support added warmth and significance to the beginning of the conference.
The conference also brought together voices from India and the wider Asia-Pacific region. Mr. T. R. Narayanaswamy, President of the Asia Pacific Down Syndrome Federation, joined the inaugural programme as Special Guest. DSFI is a founding member of APDSF, and his presence added an important regional dimension to the conference.
The DSFI flag was formally handed over from Uttar Pradesh to Odisha, symbolising the continuity of IIDSC and the collective movement that connects families and organisations across the country.
The Self-Advocate at the Centre
One of the most remarkable aspects of IIDSC 2026 was the sheer presence and participation of self-advocates.
Around 100 persons with Down syndrome participated in the conference.
They were not there simply to listen.
They spoke.
They performed.
They created.
They played.
They marched.
They exhibited their work.
They participated in discussions.
They received medals.
And, most importantly, they expressed themselves.
From the very beginning, self-advocates were visible throughout the programme. The conference included keynote addresses by self-advocates, sports and games, self-advocacy sessions, employment discussions, art, theatre and an evening of performances and celebration.
IIDSC 2026 demonstrated what happens when people are not merely spoken about, but are given the opportunity to speak for themselves.
Art: A Gallery of Expression
Art became one of the most beautiful expressions of the conference.
A dedicated art session was conducted by Ms. Shweta Runwal, followed by the creation and display of artwork by self-advocates. The artworks created at the venue were brought together in a gallery, which became one of the most admired spaces at IIDSC.
Visitors, families and delegates stopped to look at the paintings and creations. Each work was different. Each reflected an individual way of seeing and expressing the world.
The gallery was not simply an exhibition.
It was a statement.
This is how our self-advocates express themselves best.
Their art spoke without requiring explanation. It gave them a space where their creativity was appreciated for what it was — their own expression, their own imagination and their own voice.
Celebrating the Creative Force Behind IIDSC
While celebrating the creativity of our self-advocates, IIDSC 2026 also recognised someone whose own creative contribution has quietly become an integral part of the conference year after year.
Ms. Deepti Mathur was honoured with the DSFI Excellence Award 2026 – Creative Excellence for the tremendous artwork and creative work she undertook for the conference.
Year after year, Deepti has contributed her creativity to IIDSC without expectations, putting in her time, effort and imagination simply because she believes in the cause and wants to contribute.
Her work has helped give each conference its own visual identity and warmth.
The award was therefore not merely for the artwork created for IIDSC 2026. It was also a recognition of her continued generosity, commitment and creative contribution over the years.
Theatre: Finding a Voice Through Performance
Theatre had its own dedicated place at IIDSC 2026.
Ms. Shivani Dhillon conducted a session on developing the art of communication through theatre. This was followed by a skit curated by her, with the self-advocates participating in the training and performance.
The final performance was much more than a stage presentation.
It demonstrated how theatre can help persons with Down syndrome develop communication, confidence, expression and the ability to connect with an audience.
The applause that followed was a reflection not only of the performance itself, but of the journey that had gone into creating it.
From Fear to Hope: A Conversation for Parents
Every parent carries fears about the future of their child.
What will happen when we are no longer there?
Will our child be safe?
Will there be opportunities?
Will there be meaningful work?
Will there be people who understand them?
At IIDSC 2026, Rekha Maa led a deeply meaningful session around the fears of parents and what they are looking for.
It became a space for parents to speak openly about their concerns — but also to listen to one another.
The conversation did not end with fear.
It moved towards hope.
Sessions on vocational training and employment helped families look beyond childhood and therapy towards the possibilities of adulthood. Discussions around employment, the Purple Economy and vocational training brought the future into focus and encouraged families to think about meaningful opportunities for self-advocates.
Siblings: You Don’t Have to Become a Parent
The siblings’ session was another powerful part of IIDSC 2026.
Following the experience of the previous year’s conference, siblings once again came together to speak honestly about their relationships, expectations and the future.
One important message emerged strongly from the discussion:
A sibling does not have to become a parent to their brother or sister with special needs.
They can simply be a brother or sister.
They can have their own lives, dreams and aspirations while continuing to have a meaningful relationship with their sibling.
The session showed that siblings have a mind of their own, their own concerns and their own futures. Giving them the freedom to articulate these thoughts was important.
The message was not about responsibility disappearing.
It was about redefining responsibility — from an expectation of becoming a caregiver to the possibility of being the best sibling they can be.
Medical Knowledge Meets the Lived Experience
The conference also brought together specialists from several medical disciplines.
The medical panel covered genetics, vision, paediatrics, cardiology, endocrinology, dentistry, orthopaedics, mental health and gastroenterology. This was complemented by discussions on therapies, special education, alternative schooling, physiotherapy, financial planning, parenting and government schemes for persons with disabilities.
The programme therefore looked at Down syndrome not through a single lens, but through the many different stages and dimensions of a person’s life.
Importantly, this professional knowledge existed alongside the lived experiences of parents and self-advocates.
Looking Towards Independence
A significant part of IIDSC 2026 was devoted to the future.
Employment for self-advocates, vocational training, self-advocacy and Special Olympics participation were among the topics discussed.
These conversations reflected a changing understanding of what families hope for.
The question is no longer only:
How can we help our child?
It is also:
How can we help our child become an adult who has opportunities, choices, friendships, work and a meaningful place in society?
IIDSC 2026 encouraged families to look towards that future with greater confidence.
Camaraderie, Hope and Happiness
Perhaps the most difficult thing to capture in words about IIDSC 2026 is the atmosphere.
There was camaraderie among families who had known each other for years and those meeting for the first time.
There was hope in the conversations about employment, vocational training and independence.
And there was happiness — in the games, music, performances, laughter, friendships and countless informal moments that happened outside the formal programme.
The conference created a community where parents could speak to parents, siblings could meet siblings, self-advocates could make new friends and professionals could interact with families beyond the confines of a consultation room.
Celebrating Excellence
The conference also provided an opportunity for DSFI to recognise individuals and a state whose sustained work has contributed to the Down syndrome movement.
The DSFI Excellence Awards 2026 recognised achievements across several areas:
Best Performing State – Odisha
Excellence in Self-Advocacy – Ms. Ann Mookken
Excellence in Theatre – Ms. Shivani Dhillon
Excellence in Art – Ms. Shweta Runwal
Creative Excellence – Ms. Deepti Mathur
A Decade of Dedicated Service – Dr. Suresh Seshadri
A Decade of Dedicated Service – Dr. Priya Biswakumar
A Decade of Dedicated Service – Dr. R. Sankar
A Decade of Dedicated Service – Dr. Jayashree Gopal
A Decade of Dedicated Service – Dr. Sharanya Krishnan
A Decade of Dedicated Service – Ms. V. S. Hemamalini
A Decade of Dedicated Service – Dr. Prithie Rekhi
A Decade of Dedicated Service – Dr. Nidhi Gupta
A Decade of Dedicated Service – Dr. N. Rangarajan
A Decade of Dedicated Service – Dr. M. Pradeep
A Decade of Dedicated Service – Mr. Jitender Solanki
A Decade of Dedicated Service – Ms. Mithula V.
45 Years of Courage — Breaking Barriers, Inspiring Lives – Ms. Babli Ramachandran
The awards celebrated different forms of contribution — from self-advocacy, art and theatre to sustained professional and organisational service.
A Closing Filled with Gratitude
The closing ceremony brought together the many threads of four memorable days.
The Chief Guest for the Closing Ceremony was Shri Suresh Chandra Dalai, IAS (Retd.), who has held multiple portfolios during his distinguished tenure.
The closing programme included the recognition of self-advocates through a medal ceremony, presentation of the DSFI Excellence Awards, closing remarks by Dr. Surekha Ramachandran, President, DSFI, and a vote of thanks from the Odisha Parent Support Group.
But perhaps the real closing message of IIDSC 2026 was not delivered from the podium.
It was visible in the faces of the self-advocates.
In the parents who left with new ideas.
In the siblings who discovered that they were not alone.
In the professionals who listened as much as they spoke.
In the friendships that were renewed and the new friendships that began.
More Than a Conference
IIDSC 2026 has ended, but its conversations have not.
The conference reminded us that inclusion is not merely about being present in a room. It is about having a voice in that room.
It is about being given an opportunity to create, perform, work, participate, make choices and be recognised.
It is about parents being allowed to hope.
It is about siblings being allowed to have their own lives.
It is about professionals and families working together.
And it is about seeing persons with Down syndrome not through the limitations that society may place on them, but through the possibilities that emerge when barriers are removed.
IIDSC 2026 was four days of knowledge, art, theatre, conversation, friendship, laughter, emotion and celebration.
Most importantly, it was four days in which self-advocates were heard, seen and celebrated.
And perhaps that is what IIDSC 2026 will be remembered for most:
A celebration of ability. A celebration of expression. A celebration of hope. And above all, a celebration of people.