Friday, March 21, 2014

World Down Syndrome Day!


21 March 2014 marks the 9th anniversary of World Down Syndrome Day and each year the voice of people with Down syndrome, and those who live and work with them, grows louder. But there is still so much more we can do.
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. We will share your WDSD World Events on our dedicated WDSD website in a single global meeting place.
For WDSD 2014, DSi is focusing on:

“Health and Wellbeing - Access and Equality for All”

All people with Down syndrome have the right to access healthcare when required on an equal basis with others without discrimination and with proper assessment of the specific health needs of the individual. We will be highlighting that:
  1. Having Down syndrome does not make a person unhealthy.
  2. Down syndrome is a genetic condition, not an illness.
  3. People with Down syndrome may have health issues throughout their lives, just like everyone else and they should have access to healthcare on an equal basis with others.
  4. There are specific known health issues which may affect people with Down syndrome, for which accurate, evidence based information is available.
  5. Health professionals should be aware of these specific issues when treating a person with Down syndrome.
  6. Health professionals should not discriminate against people with Down syndrome by:
  • refusing to treat them;
  • blaming health issues on Down syndrome in general, or;
  • considering only specific known health issues which may affect people with Down syndrome.
Our WDSD Global Video Event and WDSD Conference will both explore this important area of focus.
If you would like to join this campaign, then we very much welcome its adoption into your plans for WDSD 2014.

Once again in 2014, we are inviting everyone across the world to wear LOTS OF SOCKS on 21 March to get people talking about WDSD.
You can also participate in our WDSD activities by nominating someone for the WDSD Awards, you can join us on our various WDSD Social Media channels, and you can promote our WDSD Patrons Messages.

Whatever you plan to do, lets create a single global voice for advocating for the rights, inclusion and well being of people with Down syndrome on 21 March.

Additional materials for WDSD 2014:
WDSD 2014 - General Poster - 2014 (print ready versions of this are available in A3 and A4 paper sizes)
WDSD 2014 - Health Poster - 2014 (print ready versions of this are available in A3 and A4 paper sizes)

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