Monday, March 21st is World Down Syndrome Day

Monday, March 21, 2016 marks the 11th anniversary of World Down Syndrome Day. Each year the voice of people with Down syndrome, and those who live and work with them, grows louder.

Down Syndrome International encourages our friends all over the world to choose your own activities and events to help raise awareness of what Down syndrome is, what it means to have Down syndrome, and how people with Down syndrome play a vital role in our lives and communities.

If your school community would like to foster deeper awareness of this important global celebration, please visit the World Down Syndrome Day website.

The “My Friends, My Community” 2016 Campaign will focus on sharing the benefits of inclusive environments for today's children and tomorrow's adults.

People with Down syndrome, on an equal basis with other people, must be able to enjoy full and equal rights, both as children and adults. This includes the opportunity to participate fully in their communities.

The reality for many is that prevailing negative attitudes result in low expectations, discrimination and exclusion, creating communities where children and adults with Down syndrome cannot integrate successfully with their peers.

But where children with Down syndrome and other disabilities are given opportunities to participate, all children benefit from this and environments of friendship, acceptance, respect for everyone and high expectations are created.

Not only this, but these environments prepare all today’s children for life as tomorrow’s adults, enabling adults with Down syndrome to live, work and participate, with confidence and individual autonomy, fully included in society alongside their friends and peers.

On World Down Syndrome Day, Monday 21 March 2016, join us to encourage children and adults with Down syndrome to say “My Friends, My Community” and get the world talking about the benefits for everyone of inclusive environments.

Please use the hashtag #MyFriendsMyCommunity. Thank you!

For additional resources to better serve families with disabilities, please visit the bibliography list created by our own, Lisa Hillyard, Archdiocesan Media Center. See pdf below.