WDSD @ UN 2020 Virtual Conference - programme Replay on Facebook Go to blog menu New York WDSD @ United Nations Virtual Event - "We Decide" “We Decide” – ensuring full participation of people with Down syndrome through accessible information and communication, good support and inclusive consultation The overall aims of the event will be to: Show how effective and meaningful participation of people with Down syndrome and intellectual disability can be achieved via accessible information and communication, good support and inclusive consultation; Empower people with Down syndrome and intellectual disability, those supporting them and their representative organisations, to advocate for effective and meaningful participation; and to Reach out to key stakeholders, the wider disability movement, media and the wider community to disseminate this message and bring about change. Participation will comprise a mix of people with Down syndrome and intellectual disability, supporters and advocates, government and UN officials, NGO representatives and others with professional experience and acknowledged experts in the field. Efforts have been made to include participants from a diverse range of countries and world regions. Official opening and launch of the WDSD Conference 2020 The President of DSi opens the event and Ambassadors from co-sponsoring missions from around the world, together with two self-advocates from Poland emphasise the importance of this year's WDSD theme 'We Decide'. Vanessa dos Santos (South Africa), President of DSi - Welcome and opening remarks See blog post H.E. Mr Ronaldo Costa Filho, Permanent Representative and Ambassador of Brazil to the United Nations New York see blog post H.E. Ms Aviva Raz Shechter, Permanent Representative of Israel to the United Nations Geneva see blog post H.E. Mr Ishikane Kimihiro, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations New York see blog post Statement from the Permanent Mission of Mexico to the United Nations New York see blog post H.E. Ms Joanna Wronecka, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Republic of Poland New York See blog post Małgorzata Jabłońska and Hubert Kuryłowicz-Cudowski (Poland), Self-advocates - ‘Don’t decide for me’ see blog post Accessible information and effective communication The value and importance of accessible information and effective communication to people with Down syndrome and intellectual disability. How useful accessible information is created. Ways of making information and communication technologies accessible and geared to individual needs. How these tools can empower and enable more effective and inclusive participation. Patricia Andrade Bambarén (Peru), Psychologist/Coordinator of Rights and Citizenship, SPSD - Accessible Information, so we can decide see blog post Jaime Cruz (Peru), Self-advocate and Actor, SPSD - The importance of having information so that no one is left behind see blog post Dominique Paulina Kantor (Argentina), Self-advocate, Validator at Fundacion Visibilia - The right to understand see blog post Matthew MacNeil (Canada), Self-advocate CDDS - Project Understood - Making the world more accessible for people with Down syndrome see blog post Mark Surabian (United States), Assistive Technology Consultant, ATHelp.org - Assistive Technology: Making Learning Accessible to All see blog post Sid Gosh (United States), Self-advocate ‘Life with Down Syndrome, Autism and no Speech’ see blog post Véronique Garrett (Russia), Special education teacher, co-founder/Trustee Downside Up - Media Lab as a platform for developing communication skills in adolescents and young adults with Down syndrome see blog post Martha L Thurlow (United States), Senior Research Associate, National Center on Educational Outcomes - Maximizing Inclusion of Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities in the United States see blog post Good support Examples of how good support, together with accessible information and effective communication,can empower people with Down syndrome and intellectual disability and enable them to make informed decisions and participate meaningfully and fully in society. Jordan Davis (United States), UN Intern and Marina Martinez (United States), Self-advocate and College Student - A Bond Beyond Friendship: Supporting each other through it all see blog post Eric Goll (Canada), Founder Empowering Ability -‘We Don't Decide; Until We Claim Our Power to Decide see blog post Laura Kerr (United Kingdom), Manager, People First Dorset and Jack Buik (United Kingdom), Self-advocate, Management Committee, People First Dorset - What good support looks like see blog post Ashley Helsing (United States), Director of Government Relations NDSS and Kayla McKeon, Self-advocate, Manager of Grassroots Advocacy NDSS - Kayla, Ashley and the National Down Syndrome Society: Support and Collaboration in the Workplace see blog post Beth Medcalf (United Kingdom), Information and Training Officer, DSA England and Bethan Kendrick (United Kingdom), Self-advocate DSA England - Perspectives on empowering and being empowered to advocate and participate see blog post Introduction to the International Guidelines for Inclusive Participation Guidelines are being prepared by DSi and Inclusion International including the steps needed to ensure effective and meaningful participation of individuals with Down syndrome and intellectual disability in a wide range of inclusive settings; from participation in one to one consultation, to larger meetings and events. These guidelines will be a valuable tool for individuals with Down syndrome and intellectual disability, professionals, members of local disability organisations and NGOs and for international groups and agencies to promote positive change across the world. Introduction to the guidelines: see blog post Luis Gabriel Villarreal Peralta (Colombia), Self-advocate - talks about the importance of guidelines for inclusive participation see blog post Self-advocate experiences of inclusive participation Self advocates from around the world discuss ways in which they are included in the community, the support they need to be included and challenges they may face. Ailis Hardy, who was going to moderate this session at the United Nations in New York, welcomes the self-advocates to the event. Ailis Hardy (United Kingdom), Self-advocacy Coordinator, Inclusion International - Introduction to Self-Advocates and Role of Self-advocacy Coordinator at Inclusion International’ See blog post Jaime Cruz (Peru), Self-advocate see blog post Kayla McKeon (United States), Self-advocate see blog post Dominique Paulina Kantor (Argentina), Self-advocate see blog post Malin Andersson (Sweden), Self-advocate see blog post Sid Gosh (United States), Self-advocate see blog post Luis Gabriel Villarreal Peralta (Colombia), Self-advocate see blog post Laia Martí Santiago (Spain), Self-advocate see blog post Marina Martinez (United States), Self-advocate see blog post Bethan Kendrick (United Kingdom), Self-advocate see blog post Judy Huett (Australia), Self-advocate see blog post Mark Mapendra (Malawi), Self-advocate see blog post Matthew MacNeil (Canada), Self-advocate see blog post Kate Grant (Northern Ireland), Self-advocate see blog post Geneva Side Event to the 23rd Session of the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, to celebrate World Down Syndrome Day - United Nations, Geneva Self-advocates who would have attended this event tell us how they participate in decision making about matters relating to or affecting their lives. Nathan Rowe (United Kingdom), Capacity Development Manager DSi - Self advocacy and how it can promote positive change see blog post Luca Zuchiatti (Italy), Self-advocate see blog post Sahil Singh (India), Self-advocate see blog post Adrien Lecoint (France), Self-advocate see blog post Sheri Brynard (South Africa), Self-advocate see blog post Fionn Angus (Ireland), Self-advocate see blog post Empowerment, inclusive participation and the future Closing remarks - key messages from this year's speakers, what we have learned and how all stakeholders can make positive change and enable more people with Down syndrome and intellectual disability to participate inclusively and fully in society. Andrew Boys (United Kingdom), Executive Director Down Syndrome International see blog post Go to blog menu Manage Cookie Preferences