World Down syndrome Awareness
World Down syndrome Awareness Month is celebrated each October and offers a time to raise awareness of people with Down syndrome and their right to be accepted and included as valued and equal members of the community.
An entire day in March is dedicated to global awareness for Down syndrome - March 21 - and has been officially observed by the United Nations since 2012. The 21st day of the 3rd month was chosen for World Down syndrome Day (WDSD) to represent the uniqueness of the triplication (trisomy) of the 21st chromosome, the genetic cause for Down syndrome.
What is Down syndrome
Data and Statistics
Down syndrome continues to be the most common chromosomal disorder. Each year, about 6,000 babies are born with Down syndrome, which is about 1 in every 700 babies born. Data/Learn more at CDC.
Community Partners and Local Events
- Omaha: Down Syndrome Alliance of the Midlands
- Join Omaha’s fall DSA Step Up Walk
- Lincoln: Down Syndrome Association for Families
- Join Lincoln’s fall DSAF of Nebraska Step Up Walk
Learn More
21 Things Parents Wish They Knew From Day One. Read article, by Laura T. Coffey, USA Today
Resources
Learn more from these trusted national organizations.
- National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS)
- National Down Syndrome Congress (NDSC)
- Down Syndrome International
Advocacy
Down Syndrome Awareness specialty license plate
75% ($30.00) of each Down Syndrome Awareness message plate purchased goes to the University of Nebraska Medical Center, Down Syndrome Clinic.With Us Not For Us
Down Syndrome International's campaign message is key to a human rights-based approach to disability.
Learn more on the DSi website.
Get Social! |
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Content and Graphics
Sample post:#WorldDownSyndromeAwarenessMonth is a time to raise awareness of people with Down syndrome and their right to be accepted and included as valued and equal members of the community.
Remember... we are #MoreAlikeThanDifferent 💙💛 Join us this month as we celebrate individuals who have Down syndrome and recognize the valuable contributions they bring to society!
Pair it with an image:
Download graphics sized for posting on Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter) and Facebook/Instagram stories.
Engage in March and October
Follow MMI on Facebook and watch for education, resources, news and more!Promote Acceptance and Inclusion
Share a fact, start a conversation or invite others to support disability inclusion on Facebook, Instagram, or X (Twitter).
Use Hashtags
#WorldDownSyndromeAwarenessMonth | #MoreAlikeThanDifferent | #WithUsNotForUs
#WorldDownSyndromeMonth | #DownSyndromeAwarenessMonth
#DownSyndromeAwareness | #DownSyndrome | #Trisomy21 | #T21
Accessibility tip: DidYouKnow that capitalizing the first letter of each word in a hashtag makes it more accessible for people of all abilities? Learn more.
Links and Resources |
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Buy a Book
Donate
Support people with Down syndrome or other developmental/intellectual disabilities through giving to organizations that make a difference by helping people who are #DifferentNotLess
Rock Your Socks
Why do we do that? The idea was created because chromosomes are shaped “like socks” and people with Down syndrome have an extra chromosome.Support Inclusive Hiring
Celebrate a business owned or operated by people who have Down syndrome
- DSAMT list of businesses
- Getting Hired list of businesses
The employers below know the value of hiring people with disabilities. An easy way to support disability employment is to support their business! Please note, this is not a complete list of inclusive employers in our area and only includes businesses with whom we have direct and personal knowledge of inclusive hiring.
- Munroe-Meyer Institute
- Easterseals Nebraska
- Embassy Suites
- Goodwill
- Hy-Vee
- LaCasa
- Mosaic
- Nebraska Vocational Rehabilitation (VR)
- NP Dodge
- Sodexo at Nebraska Medicine
- Should your business be highlighted here? - Contact us!
- Trailblazers at MMI-UNO
- Heartland Workforce Solutions
- Madonna School & Community Based Services
- Prosper Workforce Services at Autism Action Partnership
Web Accessibility
This is the inclusive practice of ensuring there are no barriers that prevent interaction with, or access to, websites on the World Wide Web by people with physical disabilities, situational disabilities, and socio-economic restrictions on bandwidth and speed. When sites are correctly designed, developed and edited, generally all users have equal access to information and functionality.
Website accessibility features are the elements of a site designed to improve the ability of people with disabilities to independently use it. Sometimes website include extra options specifically to enhance some people’s use and these are noted by the ‘accessibility icon’ shown, which is a generally a stick person with arms outstretched symbol inside a circle. Learn more.
Web page updated on 10-2-2023.