THEME: SOCIAL INCLUSION: LET’S MAKE IT HAPPEN
On March 21st we celebrate World Down Syndrome Day.
Last year, with the theme “Inclusion for autonomy”, Brazilian Federation of Down Syndrome Associations from many cities promoted more than 100 events
Public hearings, solemn sessions at Representative Houses, seminars, simposiums and walks, marked the week and gave persons with Down syndrome visibility in society.
Our struggle for human rights for persons with disabilities come from long ago and this year we will once more count on partnership with organizations of persons with and without disability.
The time is now. Social Inclusion: Let’s Make it Happen!
Let’s make it happen since birth!
Let’s make it happen in education!
Let’s make it happen in every sphere, sectors and spaces!
Let’s make inclusion in society happen for all!
Let’s together spread the word and engage society!
Together we are strong!
Claudia Grabois
President
INTERNATIONAL CAMPAIGN – No more abuse! Spread the word and show it in your face that It’s Normal to be Different
On 3/21, World Down Syndrome Day, a campaign to fight discrimination gives an answer to attacks on persons with Down syndrome on the internet
Lately, persons with Down syndrome have been the target of attacks on the internet from those who don’t’ respect diversity and human rights.
This 3/21, World Down Syndrome Day, Brazil gives a committed and upbeat response to those few intolerant that have been using social web-networks like Facebook, Orkut and YouTube to show their rage.
By accessing the website It´s Normal to be Different , the internet user is invited to take a picture that, through a digital tool, transforms his image to look like a person with Down syndrome.
Doing that, he assumes that It’s Normal to be Different and shows his support against any kind of discrimination, and can promote it within their friends on social networks.
Created by PR agency Giovanni + DraftFCB, this virtual petition has already received thousands of “face-signatures”, and won 2 national and one international publicity awards.
MetaSocial Institute, that promotes the campaign, says that the best defense is to attack back: “many are taking pictures of persons with Down syndrome out of the web because of fear. We pledge the contrary – let’s show our faces, making society realize that everyone has the same rights. Those who have these appalling and sickened actions are a minority, but cannot go unpunished”, says MetaSocial Coordinator, Helena Werneck.
Abusive actions like these happen in any part of the world, with anyone considered “different”.
Two cases that took place in Italy came up the last couple of weeks and had international repercussion. Three Google executives were considered guilty because of a video showing a young man with Down syndrome being humiliated on YouTube, and on Facebook, a site that called for persons with Down syndrome to be used for target practice was shut down.
“With Google executives’ condemnation, certainly there will be more control over abuses like those. But it is vital that we take legal action against this kind of violence, virtual or not. The law is on our side”.
Change the face of prejudice and say NO to abuse
Show it in your face that It’s Normal to be Different
Presentation video, in English with Portuguese subtitles:
Launch video in NYC, sep/2009:
MetaSocial Institute
POLL – How is inclusive education doing?
On the ocasion of World Down Syndrome Day, Inclusive, Inclusion and Citizenship, promotes an informal research regarding the obstacles to inclusive education to subsidize educational publications and the media about relatives, professionals and general public views.
To participate, access the link below.
EVENTS:
DF
Brasilia-DF
1) 6/4 – 10 am – Federal House of Representatives – Solemn session – Social inclusion: Let´s make it happen!
Deputy Federal Paulo Pimenta and Brazilian Federation of Associations of Down Syndrome
2) 15 to 26/3 – Federal Senate – Exhibition “Respect Syndrome is on” – Olga Kos Institute for Social Inclusion, 40 artists with Down syndrome
3) 23/3 – Legislative Assembly of Federal District
Solemn session in honor of World Down Syndrome Day – Iniciative – Deputy Erika Kokay
RJ
Rio de Janeiro – RJ
4) 21/3 – 9:30 am – Ipanema Beach
Walk on the Seaside – Social Inclusion: Let´s make it happen! – RJDOWN and FBASD
5) 23/3 – 2 pm – Solemne session at Municipal Chamber – Social Inclusion: Let´s make it happen – Representative Tio Carlos, FBASD and MetaSocial Institute
6) 24/3 – 2 pm – UERJ-Rav 112 – Inclusive Education Forum in honour of World Down Syndrome Day
Duque de Caxias – RJ
7) 23/3 – Ceremony at Municipal Secretary in honour of FBASD – Dwn Syndrome Federation
SP
São Paulo, SP
8) International Symposium on Down Syndrome – Advances on Neuroscience and Drug Treatments
Keynote speakers:
Professor Doctor Alberto Costa – Doctor, Reseracher, Neuroscientist – Colorado, US
Professor Doctor Stevens Kastrup Rehen – Biomedicine, Nueroscientist, former Researcher In University of California in San Diego and Scripps Research Institute (S) – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Scientific Coordination
Professor Doctor Zan Mustacchi – Genetics and Pediatrics – São Paulo, Brazil
Programme:
20/3 – 7 pm
Official opening followed by cocktail
21/3 – 8:30 am
Introduction – Promising Therapeutica Perspectives for Down Syndrome: Resilience, Empowerment*, Pharmacogenomics and Nutregenomics
* – Process through which the person herself chooses or take decisions and assumes consequences
Prof. Dr.Zan Mustacchi
9 am
Conference – Down Syndrome: Neuroscience and Evaluation of chromossomal alterations in Central Nervous System
Prof. Dr. Stevens Kastrup Rehen
President: Prof. Dr. Jose Hugo de Lins Pessoa (President of Pediatrics Society of Sao Paulo)
10:45am
Conference – The Dawning of Translational** Research and Potential Theurapetical Approaches for Down Syndrome
** – approximation of basic science to clinical application
Prof. Dr. Alberto Costa
President: Prof. Dr. Clovis Francisco Constantino (President of Bioethics Department of Brazilian Pediatrics Society)
*** aproximação da ciência básica da aplicação clínica
12 am
Questions and Answers
Promotion: Secretary of State of the Rights of Persons with Disability -SP and CEPEC-SP
Support: São Paulo Pediatrics Society, University Mogi das Cruzes, Aprendendo Down – Itabuna/BA, Brazilian Federation of Down Syndrome Associations(FBASD), MetaSocial Institute, VolunteerAssociation of Darcy Vargas Hospital, Down SyndromeGroup, APAE SP, Darcy Vargas Hospital, Carpe Diem and De la pra Ca Group, ADID and Let´s go Together Group, Plus One Association, Discussion Groups Happy Down, Down Syndrome and Inclusion
Sponsors: Secretary of State of the Rights of Persons with Disability -SP, L’ALIANXA Travel NetWork Brasil, BOIRON®, Aprendendo Down – Itabuna/BA, CEPEC-SP
Sorocaba, SP
9) 14 a 21/03 – Photo Exhibition – “A look about inclusion”, by Laura Daniel – Esplanada Shopping and Municipal Chamber of Sorocaba
10) 18/3 – 11:30 am – Session at Municipal Chamber of Sorocaba – In honour of adults with Down syndrome who work at the town and businessmen and partners that help make persons with Down syndrome live better lives.
11) 21/3 – Presentation of actions of Felicidade Down group and cocktail – Ipanema Club
Campinas – SP
12) 21/3 – 12 am to 6 pm
Inclusive Chat – “I have a child with Down syndrome”, exhibition by Chico Fransé, music and get together
Realização: Fundação Síndrome de Down
BA
Itabuna – BA
13) 24/2 and 3/3 – Inclusive Chat with parents – screening of “Happy Feet”
14) 17/3 – Olinto Leone Square – Distribution of educational leaflets
Itapetininga – BA
15) 19 and 20/3 – Lectures: Inclusion and the Right to Belong
Feira de Santana – BA
16) 20/3 – 8:30 am to 12:30am – City Hall Parking Lot
Photo Exhibition, inclusive cultural presentations by schools and organizations, informational posters about Down syndrome
CE
Fortaleza, CE
17) 21/3 – 10 am
Walk on the beach – Inclusion, Let´s Make it Happen – Artistic and Cultural Presentations – Universo Down
MA
São Luis – MA
18) 16/3 – Sao Luis Shopping Mall – Social Inclusion: Let´s make it happen!
10 am to 8 pm: Distribution of folders and orientation about Down syndrome
6 pm to 8 pm: Performance of Dance Group Semear (dancers with Down syndrome)
19) 19/3 – UNICEUMA – University Center of Maranhao
Educational Lectures – Awareness and Sensibilization of abilities of persons with Down syndrome – Dorlene Caldas
Education and Inclusion – Dr. Paulo Avelar
DEBATE
Dance performance – Semear Group
Promotion: Association of families and Friends of Down syndrome persons of Maranhao – AFADMA
RS
Porto Alegre – RS
20) 5/3 – 16:30 pm – Lecture about Down Syndrome – FAQI – Porto Alegre – RS
“Strategies and combined therapies for children with Down syndrome” – Ivalda Gomes
Collaboration: CEANS, Inclusive – Inclusion and Citizenship and QI College, AFAD Porto Alegre, AFAD Novo Hamburgo and AFAD Cachoeira do Sul
Novo Hamburgo -RS
21) 20/3 – Event supported by Rotary Club – Awareness and distribution of informative leaflets
22) 21/3 – Lunch open to community with parents from Down Syndrome Association – Debate about inclusive education, legislation
23) 23/3 – Opportunity to speak out at Municipal Council
24) 9/4 – II Presentation about Regular schools X Specialized Education Services to teachers
25) 23/4 – III Presentation about Regular schools X Specialized Education Services to administration authorities
Promotion: AFAD-21
General Coordination – FBASD
For the full programme around the world, visit World Down Syndrome Day website:
