World Down Syndrome Day: what does inclusion mean to you?

Learning Disability Today

21st March 2022

World Down Syndrome Day: what does inclusion mean to you?

By Lauren Nicolle

Every year on 21st March, World Down Syndrome Day is celebrated by thousands of people across the globe.

World Down Syndrome Day is about celebrating individuals with Down Syndrome and advocating for full inclusion in communities and society. For this reason, this year’s theme is ‘Inclusion Means’.

Inclusion means…

In the general principles of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD), the UN calls for: “full and effective participation and inclusion in society”. However, Down Syndrome International (DSi) say this is sadly not the reality for many people with a disability.

There are many reasons as to why this is, but the charity says this is primarily because there is a lack of agreed understanding about what inclusion is and what inclusive systems look like in practice.

So, this year, DSi is encouraging you to think about what inclusions means, by asking: are you included? Do you have the same opportunities as others, or do you face barriers? Do you participate in inclusive activities? Or are they segregated?

By asking these questions, DSi hope to start a meaningful conversation about Down syndrome and make sure that people with Down syndrome have the same freedoms and opportunities as everybody else.

https://www.learningdisabilitytoday.co.uk/world-down-syndrome-day-what-does-inclusion-mean-to-you