LiveWorkPlay Celebrates World Down Syndrome Day, March 21, 2024

The World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD) theme is the message that supporters around the world are asked to share on and around 21 March. For World Down Syndrome Day 2024, the theme is a call for people around the world to End The Stereotypes.

A stereotype is a set idea that people have about what someone or something is like. Stereotypes can be positive, negative or neutral, but they are often inaccurate, or simply wrong! Stereotypes are often based on limited information or limited personal experience. They can be reinforced by the way something is represented in the media or by cultural messages. Once formed, a stereotype can be difficult to change.

Stereotypes can get in the way of people with Down syndrome, people with intellectual disabilties, autistic persons, and other marginalized citizens from being treated like other people. They might get treated like they are much younger than they are, and are routinely underestimated and excluded. Sometimes they are treated very badly and criminally abused, at rates that are much higher than the general population.

For WDSD 2024, we have chosen two amazing videos by leading advocacy organizations. A warning: our first video has adult content (swearing). Before you can watch it, YouTube might ask you to agree that you want to watch the video.

Happy World Down Syndrome Day! Let’s #EndTheStereotypes