14th World Down Syndrome Day Conference
United Nations Headquarters - New York - 21 March 2025
#ImproveOurSupportSystems
We would like to start by saying a huge thank you to everyone who made this year’s World Down Syndrome Day Conference possible.
Thank you to our sponsors:
Thanks also to the National Down Syndrome Society and Down’s Syndrome Association for their support with this event.
About World Down Syndrome Day.
World Down Syndrome Day is a global awareness day officially recognised by the UN since 2012, which takes place on 21 March every year.
March 21 (written as 21/3) stands for the three copies of chromosome 21, which is unique to people with Down syndrome.
For 14 years, Down Syndrome International has held a conference at the United Nations in New York on this day.
This year we heard from 34 speakers representing 15 countries. We were joined by more than 150 people from all over the world, who travelled to New York to show their support.
The theme.
The theme for World Down Syndrome Day 2025, the theme was #ImproveOurSupportSystems.
There were lots of speeches throughout the day, here are 6 big themes that we heard:
Support is a human right:
Both government representatives and self-advocates agreed that support is not a favour or something that is just nice to have. It is a right. Governments must make sure there are support systems, that meet the needs of people with disabilities.
Families also need support:
Many families are unsupported, under-resourced and often stressed.
Whole support systems are essential:
Providing just one or two forms of support doesn’t work, people need a range of different supports that work together as a system.
Inclusion, not institutionalisation:
Participants advocated against segregating people with disabilities. They supported individualised community support that supports people with disabilities to live, learn, and work alongside everyone else.
People with Down syndrome are leaders:
Stories from self-advocates highlighted the importance of including their voices in the processes of policymaking, education, employment, and more.
Extra financial support is needed:
From the cost of healthcare, assistive technology and lost income, having a disability creates extra expenses for the person and their families. Governments need to think about this when planning social protection systems and individual budgets.
Watch the event recordings:
Morning session:
Afternoon session:
Key quotes:
There were amazing speeches all day, here are some of the things people said:
“We want to highlight that all social justice issues are interconnected and require collaboration.”
“Support for persons with intellectual disabilities should be decided around their rights and needs rather than fitting them into service models.”
“It is important to remember that supporting us is not a favour; it’s a human right.”
“This kind of support is nourishing.”
“One of the biggest challenges faced by persons with Down Syndrome in Africa is the inequality between urban and rural areas in terms of access to services and opportunities.”
“If the standards are followed, people with disabilities will have choice, control, and freedom to live the lives that they wish.”
"I am happy here with other self advocates, we are learning about our rights"
“Why would I attend a service that doesn't support my goals?”
“People with disabilities spend more than others and this extra spending is what we call the extra costs of disability.”
“Community-based care and support systems lay the essential foundation for people with disabilities to live a life of dignity.”
“We raise our voice today for increased support for the mothers as they work full-time.”
“My family is my main support network. They helped me get to where I am today. But this is not the reality for all people with Down Syndrome in Brazil.”
“Getting to communicate is a human right… Can you imagine the frustration especially when many teachers consider us incapable of understanding?”
“Inclusion should be understood as a public policy, not a favour that we are receiving.”
“With the right support, we can and we will achieve great things.”
“Better support systems will improve human rights for everyone.”
“The power of support networks and inclusion will show how strong support networks and good policies can create more welcoming communities.”
“Supports help us become more independent. I work on my own and travel independently.”
“We ask the governments to act NOW to create strong support systems for people with disabilities around the world.”
“I believe dreams come true. I would like to live alone, or with a partner, but with the support of assistance in supportive housing.”
“Without it (support), we don't have the means to meaningfully participate and to get included.”
“Governments must make sure there’s a support system so people with disabilities are included in the communities.”
“Support, especially community support, is not a luxury but a basic need of life.”
“Hi everyone, I'm Allan from Singapore… I live a happy and meaningful life.”
“Without support systems, societies would not exist. They are at the core of the way our societies function and are crucial to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.”
“ABLE Accounts highlight the need for people with disabilities to be in the rooms where decisions are made.”
Learn more about the theme for World Down Syndrome Day 2025, Improve Our Support Systems, on the World Down Syndrome Day official website:
Learn more about World Down Syndrome Day:
World Down Syndrome Day.
On 21 March each year, we speak up about the things that matter to people with Down syndrome around the world.