These inclusive community workouts take place at various gyms across the Kansas City metro and are designed to improve functional strength, endurance, and overall fitness. Sessions take place on Saturdays at a consistent rotation of gyms, with each location hosting the same weekend every month—making it easy to plan and stay active in your local community. These gyms are located in Overland Park, South KC, Mission, and Lee's Summit. 

After registering, our Fitness and Nutrition Coordinator will contact you to discuss the best options for community workout participation in your area.

Spots are limited to ensure each self-advocate receives sufficient support and coaching. Participants are expected to follow instructions and a structured routine to ensure a safe and meaningful experience for all. Maximum class sizes are enforced to maintain quality and safety.

Enrollment is handled on a first-come, first-served basis and based on commitment to the scheduled times. When classes are full, a waiting list will be created for future opportunities.

Our gym rotation schedule is as follows:

1st Saturday: Overland Park @ 12:30p

2nd Saturday: South KC @ 11:30a OR Overland Park @ 12:30p

3rd Saturday: Lee's Summit @ 10a or Overland Park @ 12:30p

4th Saturday: Mission @ 11a

After registering, you will receive the exact locations of these gyms and by added to the email list for all future updates. 

The gym locations are kept the same for each corresponding weekend of each month to make it easy to plan ahead!

This comprehensive training covers essential techniques for recognizing and treating life-threatening emergencies in adults. Whether you are providing professional care or looking out for loved ones at home, this class ensures you are prepared when every second counts.

Target Audience: Caregivers, family members, and anyone wanting to be certified in adult emergency response.

Duration: 4 hours of focused, hands-on instruction.

Certification: Official American Red Cross Adult CPR/First Aid (Valid for 2 years).

Cost: $63.00 per participant.

What You Will Learn Adult CPR: Step-by-step guidance on performing high-quality chest compressions, and rescue breaths. Choking Relief: Techniques for handling conscious and unconscious choking victims.First Aid Basics: How to assess the scene, manage sudden illnesses, treat bleeding, control wounds, and respond to environmental emergencies.Registration & Policies: Advance Registration: Spaces are limited to ensure hands-on practice time for every participant. Advance sign-up is required. Cancellation Policy: We understand that schedules can change. However, because materials and seating are reserved in advance, a minimum of 24 hours' notice is required for any cancellations to be eligible for a refund or reschedule. Ready to get certified? Secure your spot today and gain the peace of mind that comes with being prepared to help someone in need.

Preschool Rhythm & Play 

Dates: May 30th, June 26th, July (community play cafe only), Aug 21st, Sept 12th, Oct 16th, Nov 14th, and Dec 11th.

Time: 9:30–10:45 AM

A lively blend of music, movement, and sensory exploration for ages 3–5 

Preschool Rhythm & Play invites young children to move, groove, and explore, alongside their parents, in a fun, developmentally supportive environment. Each session begins with upbeat music and simple dance movements that build coordination, balance, and body awareness. Children will sing, stretch, and move their bodies creatively as they follow along with guided rhythm activities. 

Midway through class, children transition into sensory play breakout sessions led by an OT team or volunteers. These hands-on experiences allow kids to explore textures, materials, and tools that support fine motor development, sensory regulation, and confidence through play. 

Designed for all abilities, this class encourages social connection, creativity, and joyful movement—helping preschoolers build important skills while having a blast.

If you have any questions, please email alyssa@kcdsi.org

Down Syndrome Innovations cares about the mental health of our parents and caregivers. Join other caregivers for a facilitated discussion, resource sharing, and yoga, all to build your resiliency and take better care of yourself.

This group is open to caregivers with loved ones of all ages and IDD diagnoses. Caregivers can include parents, grandparents, adult siblings, or other members of the loved one’s community of support. This is a great opportunity to build connections, learn about community resources, and recharge.

The caregiver group will meet on Mondays from 6:00 to 7:30 PM on the following dates:9/14, 9/21, 9/28, 10/5, 10/12, 10/19, 10/26, 11/2, 11/9, 11/16, 11/30, 12/7

GROUP CAPACITY: 12 participants max

Join us to connect with other families, and enjoy fitness, fun and healthy snacks as the tour makes its way around to parks across the KC metro! Each stop will include exercise stations, Fresh fruit, water & milk and snacks, and a playground for self-advocates to enjoy!

This event is led by our Health & Wellness Coordinator Scott Quaife, NSCA-CPT. This is an opportunity to gather and connect with other families in your community.  Bring a blanket, your sneakers, water and get ready to enjoy a healthy outing with other families!

Gladstone (9-9:45a): Central Park, 7011 N Holmes St, Gladstone, MO 64118

Lee's Summit (10:30-11:15a): Harris Memorial Park, 601 SW Jefferson St, Lee's Summit, MO 64063

Leewood (12-12:45p): Gezer Park West Shelter, 13251 Mission Rd, Leawood, KS 66209

Olathe (1-1:45p): Two Trails Park, 1000 N Ridgeview Rd, Olathe, KS 66061

Mission (2:45-3:30p): Victor X Anderson Park, 5930 W 61st St, Mission, KS 66202 

Feel free to join us at multiple locations! 

Music & Motion / Rhythm & Play @ Inspired Play Cafe 

Address: 6527 W 119th St, Overland Park, KS 66209

Friday, October 23rd from 9:30–10:45 AM

($5 per child only) Siblings are welcome

A lively blend of music, movement, and sensory exploration for ages 0–5  

This is a combo class of Music & Motion and our Rhythm & Play coming together. This class invites young children to move, groove, and explore in a fun, developmentally supportive environment. We will have a private room to start our class for our introductions, music, and rhythm. 

Midway through class, children transition into sensory play breakout and explore the equipment at the play cafe.  

Designed for all abilities, this class encourages social connection, creativity, and joyful movement—helping preschoolers build important skills while having a blast. 

If you have any questions please email alyssa@kcdsi.org 

The Kansas Council on Developmental Disabilities, in partnership with Down Syndrome Innovations, is proud to host the 3rd Annual SPEAK Up! (Self-advocates Promoting Empowerment and Access in Kansas) conference — a free event designed for self-advocates, parents, family members, caregivers, and professionals on Friday, November 6th, from 8 AM to 3 PM in Wichita at the Drury Plaza Hotel Broadview.

This empowering day will feature inspiring keynotes, interactive workshops, and thought-provoking discussions led by advocates, activists, organizations, as well as federal and state financial, legal, and benefits experts working to enhance resources and information for Kansans with IDD. Participants will explore real-life experiences and expert perspectives on the most critical issues facing individuals with disabilities and their families today.

Learn more about the conference here

Register Here!

Dates: Aug 1st, Nov 7th (Saturdays Only) 

Time: 9am-11am 

Location: DSI 

Description: Join us for one — or all — of our New Parent Breakfasts! 

This welcoming event is designed for new parents and extended family members (prenatal to 2½ years old) to connect with others who have a young child with Down syndrome. 

Meet parents at different stages of their journey, learn about the services and support provided by Down Syndrome Innovations, and enjoy a relaxed, family-friendly environment. You’ll have the chance to ask questions, exchange resources, and explore our campus. 

Each breakfast also includes a facilitated discussion to help families connect, share experiences, and build community. 

These family connection events are FREE/DONOR-FUNDED thanks to our Step Up Walk donors, grantors and Community Partners! Breakfast and childcare are provided, so please RSVP so we have adequate accommodations!