World Down Syndrome Day at UN – 3/21 – “Building our Future”

From Team Inclusive

The first official World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD) will be celebrated at the UN Headquarters in NY, on March 21 2012 (3/21), with the Conference “Building Our Future”.

Inclusive education, human rights and political participation, independent living, how to work with the media and research are some of the topics that will be discussed.

Check the Program HERE.

Down Syndrome Awareness Gets Boost From UN

by Shaun Heasley, Disability Scoop

Beginning this year, the United Nations — and all of its member countries — will set aside a special annual day to recognize Down syndrome.

A resolution approved by consensus vote in the U.N. General Assembly late last year named March 21 World Down Syndrome Day. Accordingly, member nations will be asked to promote awareness of the chromosomal disorder starting this spring.

Now officials at the U.N. say they will mark the day by gathering members of the Down syndrome community at U.N. headquarters in New York for a conference tackling issues ranging from education and independent living to research and working with the media.

Organizers with the Brazilian delegation, which spearheaded the effort, say they’re hoping to get representatives from as many countries as possible to attend the event.

For at least six years, Down syndrome advocates have promoted an awareness day on March 21. But the U.N. action stands to bolster their efforts. The date, 3/21, is considered significant because Down syndrome occurs when an individual has three copies of the 21st chromosome.

In addition to World Down Syndrome Day, the U.N. previously set aside an annual day to honor autism. April 2 was named World Autism Awareness Day in 2007.

Today is World Down Syndrome Day

Find out more at www.worlddownsyndromeday.org/

World Down Syndrome Day-March 21st

March 21st has been designated by Down Syndrome International as the day to bring awareness to individuals effected by the condition known as Down Syndrome. Dr. Langdon Down originally identified Down Syndrome as he noticed similar characteristics among many patients. Later, Professor Jerome Lejeune identified the cause of Down Syndrome as an extra 21st chromosome. Most individuals have 46 chromosomes in each cell, or 23 pair. Individuals with Down Syndrome have 47 with an extra or 3rd chromosome existing in the 21st pair. Therefore, the condition is also known as trisomy 21 and the date to celebrate world Down Syndrome awareness was chosen to reflect this trisomy (3/21). There are many ways to celebrate world Down Syndrome awareness day by educating, raising funds and advocating for those with Down Syndrome. Some ideas for celebrating are listed below.

For more on this article click on: How to Celebrate World Down Syndrome Awareness Day.

Read more: How to Celebrate World Down Syndrome Awareness Day | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_4839046_world-down-syndrome-awareness-day.html#ixzz1HFvwGj3s

For more information on World Down Syndrome Day click here: World Down Syndrome

To support families in the East Bay Area visit Down Syndrome Connection.