How to Raise Down Syndrome Awareness

People with Down syndrome, their loved ones, and other allies have worked hard to celebrate the lives of those who have Down syndrome (DS). Down Syndrome Awareness was created in the honor of people with DS, and sends a message of acceptance and hope. Here is how to increase education about Down syndrome and make the world a more welcoming place.

Steps

1
Read articles by people with Down syndrome. Listen to what they experience, what they want, and what they love. What do they say about how you can be helpful?
2
Share articles about successful people with Down syndrome. People with DS can become speakers, artists, models, and much more.^{[1]XResearch source} Sharing their stories can inspire people with Down syndrome to have hope and strive to be the best they can be.
3
Celebrate Down syndrome yearly events. This can be a great conversation starter, and you can educate people.
- March 21st is World Down Syndrome Day.^{[2]XResearch source} The date was chosen because it is 3/21, and people with DS have 3 pairs of the 21st chromosome.
- October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month.
4
Dress up to show your love. The Down syndrome awareness ribbon is blue and yellow, and you can buy a Down syndrome shirt or make your own outfit. Colorful striped socks are used to represent chromosomes.^{[3]XResearch source}
5
Encourage legislators to pass bills that help people with disabilities. Disabled people need resources, acceptance, inclusion, and self-determination. Find bills that are promoted by the disability community (not just parents—actual disabled people too). Try organizing a letter-writing campaign or educating people on the internet.
- You can work in conjunction with other groups of disabled people, such as Deaf and Autistic advocates.
6
Support research on health problems that people with DS face. People with Down syndrome are at risk for heart issues, stomach problems, vision issues, and other health problems.^{[4]XTrustworthy SourceMayo ClinicEducational website from one of the world's leading hospitalsGo to source}^{[5]XResearch source} They are more likely to face Alzheimer's and dementia as they age. You can help by advocating for funding for these medical issues, and donating to organizations that help people get the surgeries and treatments they need.
- People with Down syndrome are at greatly increased risk of hospitalization and death from COVID-19.^{[6]XResearch source}^{[7]XResearch source} Consider advocating for community protections to keep them safe.
7
Promote safe, effective education for children and teens with Down syndrome. Education should be fun and individualized, with as much mainstreaming as is reasonable for the child. Teens will need help transitioning to the workforce, and may need programs in high school or vocational programs.
- Campaign against violent restraint and seclusion practices in special education. This is still legal in some areas.
- Encourage appropriate sex education for teens with Down syndrome. Teens with Down syndrome aren't necessarily asexual, and they could make serious mistakes if they don't understand the risks or how to practice safe sex.
8
Encourage acceptance and inclusion. People with DS can be wonderful people and capable workers. Write to local businesses in support of inclusive hiring practices, encourage your peers to befriend any lonely people with Down syndrome, and talk about how to make the world a more loving and accepting place.
- Encourage local businesses to use inclusive hiring practices.
- Include classmates or colleagues with Down syndrome.
- Fight bullying.
- Use inclusive language—"genetic differences" instead of "genetic defects," "intellectually disabled" instead of the r-word, and other language that helps people with Down syndrome feel like they aren't broken or the result of a genetic mistake.^{[8]XResearch source}
9
Challenge the idea that a person's worth is measured by intelligence. Yes, smarts matter, but are they everything? Why are bad things called stupid, bad ideas called idiotic, and bad people called morons? How might this feel to someone whose IQ will never be close to average, no matter how hard they work?
- Pay attention to how you reference intelligence when you speak. How would this feel to someone with Down syndrome or another intellectual disability?
10
Support advocates with Down syndrome. Some people with Down syndrome speak up about their needs, and how the community can be helpful. It's important that people listen to these advocates. Try sharing their articles, or reminding disability organizations to listen to the voices that matter most: those of the people they support.
11
Spend time with people with Down syndrome. Maybe you have a family member or friend with DS, or perhaps you'd like to go volunteer at a disability group. Spend some time together. You might just make an awesome new friend.
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