Down Syndrome International (DSI)

DSi is a global network comprising a membership of individuals and organisations from all over the world, committed to improving quality of life for people with Down syndrome worldwide and promoting their inherent right to be accepted and included as valued and equal members of their communities.

Our Mission

Our mission is to improve quality of life for people with Down syndrome worldwide and promote their inherent right to be accepted and included as valued and equal members of society. 

Our Aims And Objectives

Aims

• Provide information, support and resources to people with Down syndrome, their families, supporters and the professionals who work with them with specific focus on developing countries.

• Represent people with Down syndrome with a single global voice and encourage international communication and cooperation.

• Raise awareness about Down syndrome and the potential of people with Down syndrome to contribute and live valued lives in the community.

Objectives

Information:

• Disseminate information about all aspects of Down syndrome including prenatal diagnosis, early development, education, medical health, social care, employment, aging and human rights, through the DSi website, Advisory Groups, publications, World Down Syndrome Congress and other conferences and in partnership with national representative Down syndrome advocacy organisations and regional bodies.

• Conduct bespoke outreach training programmes in partnership with national representative Down syndrome advocacy organisations and other key stakeholders where requested to 1. disseminate information to our national representatives, health, education, social participation and civil society professionals working with or for people with Down syndrome and 2. capacity build our national representatives in areas including advocacy, self-advocacy, strategy, management, finance, legislation, fundraising,  governance, lobbying and rights.

Representation:

• Develop an international Committee of Persons with Down Syndrome to advise the DSi Board where requested and specifically on the output of DSi’s Advisory Groups, including standards.

• Develop a committee forum for national representative Down syndrome organisations to advise the DSi Board where requested and specifically on the output of DSi’s Advisory Groups, including standards.

• Consolidate and expand our international membership network for Down syndrome advocacy organisations and individuals to 1. provide a platform to promote members’ activities and communicate with others through the DSi website, social media and newsletter and 2. give DSi a mandate to represent people with Down syndrome with a single global voice at the international disability level and through the use of Ambassadors and Patrons where appropriate.

Awareness:

• Promote World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD) on 21 March each year as a day dedicated to people with Down syndrome. Through our global network, WDSD website, Global Video Event, United Nations Conference and other initiatives, raise awareness about the potential of people with Down syndrome, highlight the desperate living conditions many endure today worldwide, and give self-advocates a global platform to speak for themselves.