21 March is World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD). It is a global awareness day which has been officially observed by the United Nations since 2012.
People all over the world participate in activities on World Down Syndrome Day to help raise awareness of what Down syndrome is, what it means to have Down syndrome, and how people with Down syndrome play a vital role in people’s lives and communities.
The number of people with Down syndrome in Australia is now over 13,000.
21 March is when a single global voice is created to advocate for the rights, inclusion and wellbeing of people with Down syndrome. Each year the voice of people with Down syndrome, and those who live and work with them, grows louder.
The date for World Down Syndrome Day, being the 21st day of the 3rd month, was selected to signify the uniqueness of the triplication (trisomy) of the 21st chromosome which causes Down syndrome.
You can get people talking about World Down Syndrome Day by wearing brightly-coloured socks, long socks, printed socks, 1 sock, or even 3 socks for 3 chromosomes! If you do not normally wear socks, then wear them. And why stop at socks? You can also wear brightly-coloured clothing. The choice is yours, but wear something people will ask you about so that you can tell them all about World Down Syndrome Day.
If you would like to find out more information on World Down Syndrome Day, please visit their website at https://worlddownsyndromeday.org/.