21st of March is World Down Syndrome Day. This is a global awareness day where we create a single voice advocating for the rights, inclusion and well-being of people with Down syndrome.
What is World Down Syndrome Day?
Every year we celebrate World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD) on 21st March. The 21st day of the 3rd month because a person with down syndrome has a 3rd copy of chromosome 21.
How do we celebrate WDSD?
People around the world will be wearing mismatched socks on as a talking point to raise awareness. We use the hashtag #LotsOfSocks.
Why socks?
Because they look a bit like chromosomes, and we do this to show that we are all unique but also more alike that different!
You can learn more about Down Syndrome by visiting the following websites:
Home - World Down Syndrome Day
Home - Downs Syndrome Association
You can learn more about a local charity here that supports many families who have a child or young person with Down Syndrome in Blaenau Gwent
The theme for this year’s World Down Syndrome Day calls on governments to “Improve our Support Systems”.
In Blaenau Gwent, we are committed to being a place that is fair, open, and welcoming to all. As part of our dedication to equality, we strive to learn and share best practices. Recently, we had the opportunity to visit ELITE Clothing Solutions (ECS) in Ebbw Vale, a company that provides employment opportunities for disabled people.
Our Equality Member Champion, Councillor Chris Smith, met with the team at ECS to see their operations firsthand. Established in 2019 under the Welsh Government’s ‘Better Jobs Closer to Home’ scheme, ECS employs a workforce where 50% of the staff have a disability.
This visit was incredibly valuable, allowing us to learn from their inclusive practices and hear inspiring stories from individuals directly benefiting from these initiatives. ECS is a shining example of what can be achieved when the right support systems are in place.
Building on this learning we are pleased to announce Council has been awarded “Level 2: Disability Confident Employer” status.
Level 2 signifies that we are recognised as a ‘Disability Confident Employer’, which helps in recruiting, retaining, and developing disabled individuals within our workforce. Additionally, it demonstrates our commitment to creating an inclusive workplace.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to ELITE Clothing Solutions for welcoming us into their factory and encourage everyone to take some time to read more about the wonderful work they do on their website.