#MyVoiceMyCommunity: Enabling people with Down syndrome to speak up

Each year the voice of people with Down syndrome, and those who live and work with them, grows louder. The Down Syndrome International (DSi) encourages friends all over the world to choose their own activities and events to help raise awareness of what Down syndrome is, what it means to have Down syndrome, and how people with Down syndrome play a vital role in our lives and communities.

Call to Action: #MyVoiceMyCommunity – Enabling people with Down syndrome to speak up, be heard and influence government policy and action, to be fully included in the community

In 2017, the DSi is working with its global network to:

• Explain why it is important for people with Down syndrome and their advocates to speak up and influence local, national, regional and international policy makers.
• Explain what the key policies are which affect the lives of people with Down syndrome and how they can ensure full society inclusion if implemented.
• Explain how advocates can get involved – from media campaigns to direct political advocacy.
• Explain how to empower people with Down syndrome (and those supporting them) to advocate for themselves and provide accessible tools to facilitate this.

Learn more about the 2017 World Down Syndrome Day (#WDSD17): worlddownsyndromeday.org/wdsd-2017
Learn more about UNDESA DSPD's work on disability: www.un.org/disabilities

Source: Down Syndrome International