PURPOSE: World Down Syndrome Day is observed on 21 March each year in order to raise public awareness of Down syndrome; focus on improving connections to ensure that all people with Down syndrome can CONNECT and participate on an equal basis with others. Individuals with Down syndrome have tremendous untapped potential. On March 21st, the global Down syndrome community creates a single voice advocating for the rights, inclusion, and well-being of people with Down syndrome. We need your support to continue our work improving the lives of people with Down syndrome.
FORUM: "Achieving Health Equity for People with Disabilities." World Down Syndrome Day 2024. Health equity means that everyone has a fair opportunity to be as healthy as possible, without being disadvantaged in achieving it. This means there are no unfair, avoidable, or changeable differences in the health outcomes of groups of people. A stereotype is a set idea that people have about what someone or something is like. Stereotypes can be positive, negative or neutral, but they are often inaccurate, or simply wrong!; Stereotypes are often based on limited information or personal experience. They can be reinforced by the way something is represented in the media or by cultural messages. Once formed, a stereotype can be difficult to change. For people with Down syndrome and intellectual disabilities, stereotypes can stop them from being treated like other people. They get treated like children, they are underestimated and excluded. Sometimes they are treated very badly or even abused. For World Down Syndrome Day 2024, we call for people around the world to end the stereotypes. Follow the conversation with the hashtags: #WithUsNotForUs and #WorldDownSyndromeDay.
EVENTS: From March 21st -22nd to mark the World Down Syndrome Day 2024, the Down Syndrome International network will host the 13th World Down Syndrome Day Conference (WDSDC) at the United Nations headquarters in New York to launch a new project calling for Health Equity for People with Disabilities. Self-advocates, supporters, government and UN officials and NGO representatives will share knowledge, experience, and good practice.
PODCASTS - What inclusion means? The United Nations, in the general principles of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities calls for “full and effective participation and inclusion in society”. Everyone should have the same opportunities, take part in the same activities, be able to go to the same places and enjoy the same experiences in life. But around the world people with Down syndrome and disabilities do not benefit from full and effective participation and inclusion in society. There are many reasons for this. One reason is a lack of agreed understanding about what inclusion is and what inclusive systems look like in practice.
CAMPAIGN MATERIALS: Calling for Health Equity for People with Disabilities. Together we will create a single global voice advocating for the rights, inclusion and well-being of people with Down syndrome. Click below to learn more about health equity and what we will be speaking up about. For #WorldDownSyndromeDay many of us will wear #LotsOfSocks in bright fun colours to raise awareness.
The World Down Syndrome Day is a global awareness day that takes place on 21 March every year. The Day has been officially recognised by the United Nations since 2011. The United Nations have called on governments, UN officials and NGO representatives to work together to improve quality of life for people with Down syndrome and disabilities around the world. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities calls for everyone to have the freedom to make their own choices. But people with Down syndrome often have poor or controlling support. Often their supporters do things For them, not With them.
The ways you can get involved and make a big positive difference
SHARE YOUR STORY
The best way to promote awareness of Down syndrome is for people with Down syndrome to share their own stories in their own words.
LIGHT UP A BUILDING
Landmarks around the world light up for WDSD – take a look and share your lit-up landmark with us.
BECOME AN ADVOCATE
Join our campaign to create a single global voice advocating for the rights, inclusion and well being of people with Down syndrome.
GET INFORMED
Learn about Down syndrome from people with Down syndrome. Share your new knowledge with your friends, family and colleagues.
SHARE ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Social media is a powerful tool enabling us to connect with people around the globe. Together our voices are the loudest!
TAKE PART IN AN EVENT
Find events happening in your area and online that you can join, or host your own event.
USE RESOURCE TO ADVOCATE FOR CHANGE
Check out the resources which will help you to advocate for inclusion – whether its at school, your work place, in media or in public life.
WRITE OE RECORD SOMETHING
Why not make a video and upload it to DownTV? Or write about what #InclusionMeans to you on your website or in a blog?
FUNDRAISE
By doing something that you love or by setting yourself a new challenge, you can raise money to help improve the lives of people with Down syndrome around the world.