World Down Syndrome Day 2020

“We Decide”
All people with Down syndrome should have full participation in decision making about matters relating to or affecting their lives.
Effective and meaningful participation is a core human rights principle supported by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).

The reality today
The reality today is that prevailing negative attitudes, low expectations, discrimination and exclusion, ensure that people with Down syndrome are left behind and do not have opportunities to participate fully in decision making about matters relating to or affecting their lives at all levels. This occurs in society, but also within the disability community and the Down syndrome community.

At the root of this discrimination and exclusion is a lack of understanding of the challenges individuals face across their lifetimes and a failure to support them with the opportunities and tools needed to participate meaningfully.

Across areas of life such as lifelong personal development, personal relationships, education, healthcare, work and livelihood, recreation and leisure and participation in public life, ALL people with Down syndrome must participate in decision making, included on a full and equal basis with others.
(Source Reference: DSi – Down Syndrome International)

Poster campaign on the EDSA website
For World Down Syndrome Day 2020, EDSA has asked their members to show that people with Down syndrome can make their own decisions in matters relating to or affecting their lives in normal every day activities as well as in political issues.

Starting on 1 March 2020, we will be showing 21 examples of people with Down Syndrome from across Europe to make clear: “We Decide”.