What job do you do? We asked 13 people with Down syndrome about their job and what it means to them... People with Down syndrome have the right to work on an equal basis with others. Experience in many countries shows that with the right opportunities, support and training people with Down syndrome can make valued contributions in the workplace. However, stereotypes, mistaken assumptions, negative attitudes and lack of knowledge are preventing them from realising their right to employment. There is a pressing need to address these issues and to uphold their right to work by facilitating and promoting work opportunities for people with Down syndrome across the world and to thereby improve their life circumstances and quality of life. Learn what we are doing and how you can get involved on our Employment page: EMPLOYMENT Fionn, Ireland As an entrepreneur, I am my own boss, and I get to travel and meet people all over the world. Who do you work for? Fionnathan Productions, a Media, Arts and Education Social Enterprise. I set up this company, along with my parents and four neighbours. What job do you do? It's probably among the top 1% of jobs for a variety of tasks. I could start by saying that I work in three realms:Media: I am a filmmaker. I have multiple interview series, and I produce social media content.Arts: I perform music (traditional Irish) on my violin. I also engage in visual arts as a painter and graphic designer.Education: I teach children about nature, college students about Inclusion, and families who support a family member with disabilities (and those individuals) about setting and reaching big goals in life. How long have you had your job? Seven years What do you like most about your job? As an entrepreneur, I am my own boss, and I get to travel and meet people all over the world. What helps you do your job well? I control my support funding, and I use that to provide me with on-the-job assistance whenever and wherever I need it. Pranay, India I received an award from the President of India for being the most efficient employee. Who do you work for? I used to work for The Leela Kempinski, a five-star hotel in Mumbai. I worked there for THIRTEEN long years. But stopped attending duties from March 2020 due to pandemics. I had received Indian National Award in 2014 in public recognition of my performance as the MOST EFFICIENT EMPLOYEE in the category of Intellectual Disability. The award was conferred on me by H.E President of India on 3rd Dec 2014 which is observed as International Day of Persons with Disabilities in Delhi. What job do you do? I was posted in uniform and linen sections of the housekeeping department of the hotel. My job in uniform section was to take out uniforms bearing specified numbers from the rack and handover to employees, take back and arrange uniforms in racks according to code numbers. This job requires academic skills like alphabetical as well as numerical knowledge. I used to do job with great care with no error. In linen section, I used to do folding and arranging linen in the rack. I used to arrange linen in trolleys take trolleys on floors and distribute linen in guest rooms. How long have you had your job? I joined The Leela in April 2007 when I was just 19 years old and worked there till March 2020. But I stopped attending duties due to pandemics. Even now the hotel is totally closed and all employees were removed from the job. Since I lost my job due to lockdown I engaged myself in Pressed Flower Arts. I make decorative wall hangings, table mats out of petals of flowers and leaves and sell and earn my livelihood. What do you like most about your job? I proved myself on the job by taking lead in managing various departments of The Leela Kempanski independently. It was reported by the head of the department that the efficiency of the department has improved considerably since I joined the hotel as my colleagues learned not to waste time. I was able to prove myself a ROLE MADEL for my colleagues. I used to get my salary at par with that of other employees of the hotel. Since I was a regular employee of the hotel I was entitled for contribution to Employees Provident Fund, (EPF), Pension, and medical insurance scheme implemented by Employees State Insurance Corporation (ESIC). I received one more Indian National Award in 2017. The Award was given to me in public recognition of my performance as the ROLE MODEL in the category of Intellectual Disability. The award was conferred on me by H.E President of India on 3rd Dec 2017, International Day of Persons with Disabilities in Delhi. What helps you do your job well? Since I was sincere in doing my job my colleague used to encourage me and the management of the hotel was very happy with me. My colleagues were very cooperative and used to guide me whenever I asked for. Parn, Thailand I feel proud of myself, I feel more confident and I can see myself improving. Who do you work for? Parn is 37 years old and works at a Thailand-based social enterprise called Steps. Steps provides vocational training to neurodivergent young people. Its training programmes are tailored to the unique abilities of each trainee, and it focuses on developing social skills and confidence. Alongside its vocational centres, Steps runs businesses such as cafes which give trainees hands-on work experience. It then helps them to transition to employment with local business partners. One hundred percent of Steps graduates are now in employment. What job do you do? When Parn completed her training at Steps she became an official employee in one of the cafes and works as a barista assistant. She loves making coffees and drinks, taking orders and serving customers, cleaning the shop, and helping other staff when they need her to. What do you like most about your job? "I like to work because I want to have a steady job and get paid. I need to be independent and be able to take care of my mum and dad. I feel proud about myself, I feel more confident and I can see myself improving in many aspects such as making drinks, baking, using the computer, speaking to customers. Also, my emotions have improved. I used to be very hot-tempered, but here I have friends and coaches who understand me and guide me. So I learn how to control my emotions and generally, I’m happier. I think I have changed a lot – I feel like a grown-up now.“ What helps you do your job well? “Places like Steps, give opportunities. I get to learn and work. I think it’s good to have more places like this. I want to tell other people like me to come out, to show that you can work, just come out!” “I want to be part of the team to let others see that everyone can work and that I will do my best at work so people who see we are motivated.” Sheri, South Africa I cannot have my own children, so the children in my school fill a huge empty space in my life. Who do you work for? I work at Lettie Fouche School for learners with special needs. What job do you do? I am a teacher assistant, but I feel as if I am a part of the team of teachers. I assist in a class where the children turn 12 years. My teacher tells me which activities I have to do with the children. The first activity of the day is my responsibility and then I teach the learners of two classes. I plan these sessions on my own. I love doing this and sometimes it gives the teacher time to do administration work. I work one on one with the children who have problems, to help them. I help them but they have to do the work on their own. The most important thing I do is to motivate the learners to keep on trying. How long have you had your job? 12 years. What do you like most about your job? The school is my second home and I feel part of the school and the people working there. The children accept me as teacher and they often come to me with their problems because they can relate to me. I cannot have my own children, so the children in my school fill a huge empty space in my life. Maja, Poland When I dance I drift away and I am a bird or a lion. Who do you work for? Part of the group; THEATR 21 What job do you do? An actress and performer - My profile How long have you had your job? I have been working there for 15 years, I have been earning there since 2015. What do you like most about your job? I like to be on the stage. Read my interview. What helps you do your job well? School and family. Muthoni, Kenya Like every Kenyan, I got a pin certificate that l used to open a bank account. What job do you do? I am an Inclusion Works Webinar Consultant and also the Down Syndrome International Ambassador of Kenya. I meet after every two weeks with my work team and other people with Down syndrome together with their support person. We meet on Zoom. I like being on Zoom because I meet people from all over the world at home. I feel a part of them. At every meeting, I had some work to prepare with the help of my supporter, that, slowly helped me to understand how to make ‘Down Syndrome at Work Webinar’. l improved my computer and presentation skills as I had to make a presentation for the work team at each meeting. What do you like most about your job? The best part of my job is that l got a salary at the end of the month. Like every Kenyan I got a pin certificate that l used to open a bank account. I am very proud of my atm card and I am learning how to keep the pin number a secret. I am planning to buy a laptop, a phone and do house shopping for my family. What helps you do your job well? I like talking to people and this helped me in collecting work stories from other Down syndrome members. I came up with questions that I used to interview the members. I learnt that they had a lot of skills. Most of them stay at home and do a lot of work around the house. They dream of getting a job one day. From my Inclusion Work experience, I have learnt how to speak up for us! Eleanor, Ireland I love teaching children to swim. I really enjoy being part of the team. Who do you work for? I work for the Aura Group which runs and manages 11 Leisure Centres around the country. What job do you do? I am a qualified Swim Teacher and work as an Assistant Swim Teacher and Leisure Attendant. How long have you had your job? I have been working for the Aura Group for 9 years. What do you like most about your job? I love meeting people and I love teaching children to swim. I really enjoy being part of the team in Aura and working with my colleagues. What helps you do your job well? I get great support from my Manager and from my colleagues in Aura. I am a European Champion and World Championship medalist in Down syndrome swimming so that helps a lot. Aura provides me with great on the job training and support. I am reliable, responsible, dedicated and hard-working. Eric, Rwanda I help young adults with Down Syndrome to choose who they want to become. What job do you do? Eric is a Self-Advocate from Rwanda Down Syndrome Organization. Eric‘s main goal at the organization is to be the voice and the face of the youth with Down Syndrome in Rwanda. Eric assists young adults with Down Syndrome to choose who they want to become and the employment they want to have once they will be done with school. Eric has assisted his peers in an employment advocacy program to acquire skills that will help them during job seeking and interviews. Eric has shown a high level of independence. He can travel alone by himself from home to the office and other different areas. With his honorarium, he has been able to take friends and family out for dinner. He respects time and follows instructions easily. He is doing a fantastic job. How long have you had your job? 3 years. Abdulrahman, Saudi Arabia When I'm at work people care about me as a person. Who do you work for? McDonalds What job do you do? Waiter How long have you had your job? Since August 2018 What do you like most about your job? People care about me as a person. What helps you do your job well? My family and colleagues. Devanshi, India Colleagues and customers treat me with respect and they appreciate my role. Who do you work for? Devanshi is working for the past 8 years. She worked for Believe India Pvt Ltd at Gram Bharat Store from 2013 till March 2019. Gram Bharat was a mini departmental store selling products from Rural Areas and other ethnic and organic products. April 2019 till present Devanshi works for Future Group's Big Bazaar, Gen Next at Ambience Mall, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi. She works for the Fashion Department as a Team Member in a Customer facing role. What job do you do? As a Team Member of the Fashion Department, Devanshi does all the work related to her role. This includes receiving the products, Wall Decoration, Hard Tags, Soft Tags, Table Management, Perfect display of Merchandizes, Sorting, Arranging according to size, type, colour, attending to customers and selling What do you like most about your job? Devanshi is an integral part of her team. Colleagues and customers respect her and treat her equally and appreciate her role. The work culture is excellent and the Employers treat her equally with all others employees and she gets equal remuneration and other Employment benefits. Customer interactions are pleasant and Devanshi inspires them by her example. Devanshi loves to keep her table tidy and loves to engage with the customers and makes a compelling sale. She loves her job and is always enthusiastic and full of energy while working. What helps you do your job well? Organizational culture. Cooperative team members. The overall atmosphere is conducive and pleasant. Frequent appreciation and flexibility in work roles. The teams and managers are very friendly and helpful. Devanshi is the first employee in the retail space in India to be in full-time regular employment. She is provided equal opportunity to participate in meetings as well as leisure activities. She also enjoys her entitled leaves for her personal social activities. Tavrick, United States I help the international students connect to each other and to the greater Wichita Community. Who do you work for? I am an intern with the INTERNATIONAL STUDENT UNION at Wichita State University. What job do you do? I help the international students connect to each other and to the greater Wichita Community. How long have you had your job? 2 years. What do you like most about your job? Meeting students, helping with fun events, helping my boss. What helps you do your job well? My boss and the other students support me in my work. Ana Luisa, Brazil I am a certified hairdresser assistant and a makeup artist. Who do you work for? I am a certified hairdresser assistant and a makeup artist. I just graduated. What job do you do? I wash, hydrate and colour hair. I take care of the saloon and welcome clients. I keep it clean and organised. How long have you had your job? I just started. What do you like most about your job? Seeing and talking to people. What helps you do your job well? Study, practice and love! Ahmed, Saudi Arabia I enjoy my work as a Baresta. My colleagues support me and care for me. Who do you work for? Moroccan Taste Cafe in Jeddah What job do you do? Baresta How long have you had your job? Since October 2017 What do you like most about your job? Meeting people and preparing coffee. What helps you do your job well? It is easy and I enjoy doing my work. I like my colleagues and their support and care towards me. For people with Down syndrome, employment provides an income, a sense of identity, contribution and belonging and establishes additional relationships and interests. Organisations are finding people with Down syndrome to be loyal, diligent employees who can contribute to the flourishing of businesses, have a positive impact on colleagues and improve morale in the workplace. So how are we going to get more people with Down syndrome into work? Our work contributes towards the inclusive employment of people with Down syndrome. Learn what we are doing and how you can get involved on our Employment page: EMPLOYMENT Manage Cookie Preferences