COVID-19 response DSi is working hard to respond to the evolving situation with COVID-19 and support our members and the global Down syndrome community during these difficult times. Our response includes: COVID-19 response updates We are sending updates about the global COVID-19 response and support to advocate so that people with Down syndrome are not left behind. Sign up for COVID-19 updates COVID vaccination advocacy toolkit We are producing a COVID-19 vaccination advocacy toolkit to help our supporters advocate for the necessary prioritisation of people with Down syndrome in the COVID-19 vaccination rollout in countries worldwide. The toolkit includes: evidence to support the prioritisation of people with Down syndrome; what health and research organisations are doing; what disability and advocacy organisations are doing; what DSi is doing; what we can do together to create a united global voice. Once complete, our toolkit will be distributed via our COVID-19 response updates mailing list. Sign up to receive the toolkit: SIGN UP FOR COVID-19 UPDATES Compiling and sharing information We have been compiling and sharing up-to-date and accurate information on COVID-19 and appropriate responses to it. We have created a dedicated area on our website for information and resources related to people with Down syndrome and COVID-19: FIND HERE Gathering experiences and evidence We are working with our member organisations to gather experiences of people with Down syndrome, families and advocates and other evidence of what is happening related to COVID-19 around the world. This includes: The availability of information in accessible formats; How people with Down syndrome and their families are being included in responses to the crisis; Impact of quarantines on people with Down syndrome and their families; Support available for people with Down syndrome and their families during the crisis; Provision of healthcare for people with Down syndrome affected by COVID-19. It is very important that the rights of people with Down syndrome are respected, protected and fulfilled. Read more about this here: FIND HERE If you have information to share about your experiences or the situation in your country, please contact your national Down syndrome organisation or contact us directly: Send email International collaboration We are working with the international disability community and the International Disability Alliance (IDA) to ensure a disability inclusive response to the COVID-19 crisis. An example of a recent action is supporting IDA to take a letter to the World Health Organization (WHO) advocating for actions to address discrimination in medical responses to COVID-19 on the basis of disability. This resulted in a response from the Director General of WHO calling on governments to ensure this discrimination does not happen. Click here to read more about the letter and response: LETTER TO WHO Support for member organisations We are working with our member organisations to identify the challenges they are facing and the support they need in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic in their countries. We are running a series of webinars with our member organisations both to discuss the challenges and to deliver training on topics that can help them at this time. Member organisations can register to participate in future webinars via the events area of the website. Recordings of previous webinars are also available to view in this area. DSi EVENTS For new activity updates please visit our Global Support blog: GLOBAL SUPPORT BLOG Donate today to help us to continue the vital work we do: DONATE TODAY