Situations of risk and humanitarian action

The challenge of ensuring the rights of people with Down syndrome on an equal basis with others is often made harder during situations of risk and humanitarian crises.

The COVID-19 crisis is a good example of this.

DSi and COVID-19

DSi’s crucial work is needed now, more than ever. The pandemic itself requires a specific and vital response by our community.

Since March 2020, we have responded by:

compiling and sharing up-to-date and accurate information on COVID-19 and appropriate responses to it;
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;
working with the international disability community and the International Disability Alliance (IDA) to ensure a disability-inclusive response to the COVID-19 crisis and
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.

COVID-19 response

Visit our COVID-19 response page to learn more about how we are responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.

COVID-19 Response

Down syndrome and COVID-19

We have created a dedicated area on our website for information and resources related to people with Down syndrome and COVID-19:

COVID-19

COVID vaccination advocacy toolkit

We have produced 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:

what we can do together to create a united global voice;
potential advocacy activities;
evidence to support the prioritisation of people with Down syndrome;
what health and research organisations are doing;
what disability and advocacy organisations are doing;
supporting materials including letter templates.

If you would like to access this toolkit please complete the COVID-19 response updates form:

Latest

Listen Include Respect: LAUNCHED!

The Listen Include Respect guidelines will help organisations of all types to be more inclusive of people with disabilities.
Curbing the impact of COVID-19

Around the world, people with Down syndrome were left behind in the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Here is what our members were doing to advocate for their rights now and into the future.
Bridget Snedden honoured as an Officer in New Zealand Order of Merit

The President of DSi has been recognised for services to people with learning disabilities in the Queen's Birthday Honours.
My perspective international photography competition 2022

Since 2010, outstanding images by photographers from around the globe have been celebrated in this unique competition that enables people who have Down syndrome to show us how they see the world.

Inclusive participation

We are developing guidelines with Inclusion International on the inclusive participation of people with intellectual disabilities.
Self-advocacy

We support self-advocates and train national Down syndrome organisations to run self-advocacy groups.
Organisation support

We provide training to Down syndrome organisations around the world to improve their ability to support people with Down syndrome.
Early development and parent support

We provide training and information to parents and professionals on early development and Down syndrome.
Education Guidelines

Through our international guidelines and wider education activities, we are enabling people with Down syndrome to achieve their full potential.
Employment

Contributing towards the inclusive employment of persons with Down syndrome and supporting our members to advocate for inclusive employment.
Health

We are developing clinical consensus guidelines for people with Down syndrome of all ages in specific areas of medicine.