World Down Syndrome Day

Today is world down syndrome day and the theme for the year is “WITH US NOT FOR US

The message of With Us Not For Us is key to a human rights-based approach to disability.

Down syndrome occurs when an individual has an extra partial or whole copy of chromosome 21. It is not yet known why this syndrome occurs, but Down syndrome has always been a part of the human condition. It exists in all regions across the globe and commonly results in variable effects on learning styles, physical characteristics and health.

In December 2011, the General Assembly declared 21 March as World Down Syndrome Day . The General Assembly decided, with effect from 2012, to observe World Down Syndrome Day on 21 March each year. This is done in order to raise public awareness of Down syndrome.

The estimated incidence of Down syndrome is between 1 in 1,000 to 1 in 1,100 live births worldwide. Each year, approximately 3,000 to 5,000 children are born with this chromosome disorder.

The message of With Us Not For Us is key to a human rights-based approach to disability.

We are committed to moving on from the outdated charity model of disability, where people with disability were treated as objects of charity, deserving of pity and relying on others for support.

A human rights-based approach views people with disabilities as having the right to be treated fairly and have the same opportunities as everyone else, working WITH others to improve their lives.

On World Down Syndrome Day 2023, the Down Syndrome International network will host the 12th World Down Syndrome Day Conference (WDSDC) at the United Nations headquarters in New York.