This year we are calling on our government to...
IMPROVE OUR SUPPORT SYSTEMS
Everyone needs support sometimes.
People with Down syndrome need support to live and be included in the community, like everyone else.
Families also need support, as they are often supporting their family member with Down syndrome.
Support is a key human right that helps make other rights possible.
The support that we need is different for each person.
We have the right to support that meets our needs and gives us choice, control and dignity.
What needs to improve?
Many people with Down syndrome in the United States and around the world don’t get the support they need.
Many do not have support systems that meet the needs of people with disabilities and their families or the support systems they have do not respect the human rights of people with disabilities.
Our government must make sure there is a support system, so people with disabilities are included in the community.
A good support system includes:
Governance – laws and policies to design, implement and monitor support systems.
These should be based on human rights and include people with disabilities at all stages of design, implementation and monitoring.
Information and data – to understand the barriers that people with disabilities face and the individual support needs that people have.
Social protection – support from the government, like money or services. This should cover the disability-related extra costs that people with disabilities and their families face.
For example:
• Direct costs like paying for assistive technology or support, or higher health, transport or housing costs.
• Indirect costs like missed earnings that people with disabilities face, due to barriers faced at work, or that families face, because they have to provide support.
Human support – this means support by a person, needed to help with daily living tasks and promote independence.
This can include:
• Support by families, friends or other contacts.
• Support by support services or support workers.
People with disabilities should have choice and control over the support they receive.
Assistive technology – tools or apps that help people with tasks and to be independent. For example, picture cards or apps to help people communicate.
Housing that is accessible and not too expensive.
Access to transport.
Why are support systems important?
Support systems help make other rights possible.
For example, lots of people with Down syndrome need support to enjoy their rights to:
• Make important decisions about their lives, like opening a bank account.
• Access justice, like being able to report a crime or be a witness.
• Live independently in the community.
• Be included in education.
• Get good healthcare.
• Have a job and be included at work.
• Vote and take part in politics.
• Take part in culture, leisure and sport.
To promote all these rights, governments must improve our support systems.
Use #WorldDownSyndromeDay to post on social media, and don’t forget to tag @CADSS321
