World Down Syndrome Day 2014: Down Syndrome International's plans

World Down Syndrome Day is celebrated on 21st March each year.

For World Down Syndrome Day 2014, Down Syndrome International will be 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. As in previous years, we will share your WDSD World Events on our dedicated WDSD website www.worlddownsyndromeday.org.

For more information on DSi’s plans for 2014, including information materials, visit this page.

• World Down Syndrome Day 2014 and the United Nations