What can you do?

October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month

For many of us, every day is a chance to promote Down syndrome awareness—advocating for our children to be included in school and community activities, highlighting their talents, giving them opportunities to show just how much they have to share. The calendar, however, provides us with one month during the year when we can really step up those efforts. Here are some suggestions for how you might promote Down syndrome awareness in your community:

• Distribute NADS posters and bookmarks to area schools, libraries, or businesses (you can order them through the NADS office or the website: www.nads.org)
• Provide your obstetrician or your family doctor with updates about how your child is doing and, if they are receptive, with family photos or information about Down syndrome
• Donate books about Down syndrome to your local school or library
• Talk to your child’s class
• Arrange for a NADS speaker to give a presentation at your child’s school or at an organization in your community
• Contact local media about doing a human interest story about your family or about activities involving people with Down syndrome in your area
• Write a letter to your local paper
• Organize a special event during October to highlight the gifts of people with Down syndrome—a performance, or an art exhibit or a screening of a movie or video featuring characters with Down syndrome (you could also show the NADS video, Talents that Inspire)
• Organize a “Down Syndrome Awareness Day” at a local restaurant or community event