All people with Down’s syndrome should have full participation in decision making about matters relating to or affecting their lives.
The right to meaningful participation is a core human rights principle supported by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).
Sadly negative attitudes, low expectations, discrimination and exclusion still mean that people with Down’s syndrome are being left behind and do not have the opportunities to participate fully in decision making about matters relating to or affecting their lives at all levels.
At the root of this discrimination and exclusion is a lack of understanding about the challenges people with Down’s syndrome have to face in their everyday lives and a failure to support them with the opprtunities and tools needed so that they can participate fully in society.
For Down’s Syndrome Awareness Week 2020 we will be:
- Challenging society’s attitudes, expectations and understanding of what it means to have Down’s syndrome.
- Amplifying the voices of people with Down’s syndrome telling us what they think about the importance of more effective and meaningful participation.
- Celebrating our Having a Voice ® project and the vital contribution its participants make to steering and guiding the Down’s Syndrome Association’s work.
- Promoting our FREE resources and tools that can be used to support anybody with Down’s syndrome to participate meaningfully in all areas of life.
What you can do to help:
- We would love to hear YOUR stories…give us a call or email our Communications Team on DSAPress.Office@downs-syndrome.org.uk
- Get your friends and family involved! Let everyone in your social media network know what Awareness Week is all about.
- Wear your #LotsOfSocks with pride throughout the week as well as on World Down Syndrome Day.
- Hold an event at your school, workplace, place of worship or social club. Order a special Awareness Week fundraising pack from our website.
- Tell anybody who wants to know more to give our Helpline a call.
