World Down Syndrome Day is celebrated annually on the 21st of March and is a global awareness day that has been officially observed by the United Nations since 2012.
The date for WDSD is set on the 21st day of the 3rd month as a representation of the extra copy of the triplication (trisomy) of the 21st chromosome that people with Down syndrome are born with.
WDSD Theme 2024: End the Stereotypes
Each year, Down Syndrome International (DSi) develops a theme for WDSD which forms the basis of a global campaign in line with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
The theme of this year’s international event is “End the Stereotypes”, and Down Syndrome Ireland is celebrating the achievements of its members in the fields of employment, education, self-advocacy and beyond.
Please see link for more information on World Down Syndrome Day on the Down Syndrome Ireland Website:
‘Lots of Socks Day’ Thursday 21st March
To mark and raise awareness of World Down Syndrome Day, we are asking pupils to come to school wearing multi-coloured socks this Thursday: the louder and brighter the better! This is an initiative of Down Syndrome Ireland, designed to get people talking about Down Syndrome in their community.
Please join us this Thursday wearing your socks!!
Believe it or not, socks get people talking!
On 21 March, choose some socks that are going to get noticed!
They might be mismatched socks or your craziest and most colourful socks, whatever takes your fancy!
The idea is to start a conversation, so when people ask you about your socks you can tell them, “
I’m wearing them to raise awareness of Down Syndrome”.
And then you can tell them everything you want them to know about Down Syndrome.
We are looking forward to a bright, colourful ‘Lots of Socks’ Down Syndrome Awareness Day on
Thursday March 21st.