Down Syndrome International (DSI), together with other organizations around the world, is launching a campaign to get World Down Syndrome Day, March 21 (21/3), recognized officially in the United Nations calendar. To that end, we are asking Member States to adopt a resolution at 2011 General Assembly Session.
People with intellectual disability are the most discriminated and segregated of all people with disabilities. Those who are born with Down syndrome show their disability on their faces and have faced bigotry for centuries.
Approximately 6 million individuals have Down syndrome worldwide. To raise awareness and value the life of those with Down syndrome, Down Syndrome International declared 21 March (3/21) World Down Syndrome Day. The date is symbolic because it refers to the 3 copies of chromosome 21 that characterizes Down syndrome. Since 2006, over 60 countries around the world have made efforts to mark the date organizing hundreds of events to improve the quality of life of people with Down syndrome, point out their human rights and offer them an opportunity to be heard.
Each year the voice of people with Down syndrome, and those who live and work with them, grows louder. Self-advocates have taken a stand in schools, universities and parliaments, and events have increasingly been featured by local media, magnifying their reach. By getting the date observed by the UN, we expect to spread the celebration to many other countries, especially those where people with Down syndrome are still marginalized and institutionalized, giving them the opportunity to fulfill their human rights. The measure also complies with Article 8 of Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities of the UN on awareness-raising.
Sign the petition for World Down Syndrome Day to be recognized by the UN and share it with your contacts:
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/worlddownsyndromeday/
FACTS ABOUT DOWN SYNDROME
Down syndrome is a naturally occurring chromosomal condition that has always been a part of the human nature. It happens as a result of the creation of an additional copy of one chromosome in the 21st pair (Trisomy 21). The occurrence of Down syndrome is universal across racial, geographic and gender lines, and occurs in approximately one in 800 births.
Down syndrome is not a disease. It is inappropriate and offensive to refer to people with Down syndrome as “afflicted with”, “a victim of” or “suffering from” it.
All persons with Down syndrome share a widely varying degree of intellectual disability. This disability is extremely responsive to early intervention techniques and quality individualized inclusive education programs within the community. Contrary to antiquated beliefs, we now know that people with Down syndrome are capable of academic achievement, can hold jobs and live fulfilling and productive lives.
Persons with Down syndrome may be predisposed to certain illnesses and medical conditions that are also present in the general population. Timely and accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment of these illnesses and conditions improve both the length and quality of life to the same extent as would be expected in the population without Down syndrome.
Interestingly, studies have shown that people with Down syndrome have a statistically lower risk of developing certain other illnesses and medical conditions.
It has been shown that individuals with Down syndrome need not be institutionalized but thrive in a normal inclusive environment in a loving family, school and community, given the same opportunities, experiences and expectations as any other child.
Countries that already observe WDSD
Albania, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Croatia, Czech Republic, Ethiopia, EU, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kenia, Kosovo, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mali, Mauritius, Mexico, Netherlands, Nepal, New Zeland, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Serbial, Singapore, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, Togo, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States and Venezuela.
Source: Inclusive
