With Us, Not For Us: Celebrating World Down Syndrome Day in 2023

March 21st, just 11 days from today, is World Down Syndrome Day!

WDSD is a global awareness day that has been officially observed by the United Nations since 2012, after the United Nations General Assembly declared the 21st of March as World Down Syndrome Day in late 2011. The hope behind this choice was to encourage people to keep a human rights based perspective in mind while celebrating.

And March 21st wasn’t just chosen at random – far from it. The 21st day of the third month of the year was specifically selected to symbolize the triplication of the 21st chromosome that causes Down syndrome.

The entire month of March is also National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. This is a time to reflect on the progress that has been made along with considering what can be improved upon in the future. And all of this, while bringing the experiences and perspectives of those with disabilities to the forefront of it all.

Unfortunately, many people who have disabilities are often discouraged or even barred from making decisions for themselves. Which brings us to this year’s theme for World Down Syndrome Day.

With Us, Not For Us

Each year, World Down Syndrome Day focuses on a specific theme selected by Down Syndrome International (DSi). For 2023, this theme is “With Us, Not For Us,” an idea that centers messages of personal freedom and fairness for people with disabilities, including Down syndrome.

This year, DSi hopes to help people move away from outdated ideas regarding disabilities. For instance, some people with disabilities have historically been perceived as deserving of pity or being reliant on others to live their lives.

DSi believes that it is vital for those with disabilities to be treated with the same respect and dignity as anyone else – and this encompasses all aspects of everyday life. The first step is changing language and perceptions about people with disabilities.

“With Us, Not For Us” really does embody the idea of a human-rights approach to disability. For instance, people with Down syndrome can often have unhelpful or controlling “support” from those around them – supporters do things FOR them, not WITH them.

This video explains more about WDSD’s 2023 theme.

The United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities calls for everyone, including those with disabilities, to have the freedom to make their own choices. Support from the people around them should focus on understanding, not control.

Down Syndrome Representation in Public Policy

Similarly, local and national organizations that strive to improve the lives of people with disabilities should be directly involved in policy and decision-making regarding disability rights.

But organizations that represent people with Down syndrome are often excluded. Still, this doesn’t mean that progress will never be made.

For example, the state of Ohio recently pushed for changes to stigmatizing language used in some of their laws. This act, called The Mental Health and Disability Terminology Act, will hopefully pave the way for other states to adjust their laws and move closer toward equity too.

With these language changes, advocates are hoping to move forward with more improvements. One goal that’s currently in mind is increasing disability representation in criminal justice by training forensic interviewers to better help people with disabilities through criminal cases.

This is just one example of the messaging behind “With Us, Not For Us” being put into practice. In spite of past unfairness and present pain points, there are still so many bright spots in the futures of those with Down syndrome. And positive changes are made every day – even on the smallest of scales.

That’s why it’s so important to share information and resources about Down syndrome and how best to support the people who have it.

Resources

This page on WDSD’s official website has all kinds of guides and other resources you can use to learn helpful information about Down syndrome, WDSD, and more!

If you’re looking for even more information, you can check out this guide to disability resources state-by-state, which can be extremely helpful year-round.

We’d also like to share a fun event happening in Denver later this month in celebration of WDSD: the annual I ❤️ You Dance Party hosted by GLOBAL on Friday, March 24th. You can attend in-person at the Global Down Syndrome Foundation Education Center from 6pm-9pm or virtually on Zoom from 6:30pm-8pm. (This event is ages 16 and up.)

Be sure to check our social media pages regularly this month, as we’ll be sharing even more helpful resources to use throughout National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. And don’t forget to head back to our blog and read our past posts!

Wrapping Up

World Down Syndrome Day is both a celebration and an opportunity. This year, we invite you to do some self-reflection on the ways in which you interact with the people in your life who have Down syndrome or other disabilities. Do you find yourself doing things FOR them, or WITH them?

Here at Adam’s Camp, we’re all about helping people with disabilities find a greater sense of freedom. Through unique adventure and therapy programs with the help of committed counselors, therapists, and volunteers, Adam’s Camp strives to realize the potential and develop the strengths of children, youth, and adults with disabilities.

Our programs are paired with sibling and parent offerings that cater to the needs of the entire family, which has led to the creation of an extraordinary and encouraging community.

There is still time to join our 2023 Summer Camp Programs! Contact us for more information.