Self-advocacy at the Global Disability Summit 2025
The best way to learn about the needs of people with Down syndrome, is to hear from people with Down syndrome themselves.
People with Down syndrome must be included in conversations about changes in our world so that their needs are understood and taken into account.
The Global Disability Summit brings together people with disabilities and organisations led by them to educate governments and other organisations about how to include people with disabilities in all parts of life.
We were pleased to support 3 self-advocates who have Down syndrome to speak up at the Global Disability Summit in April – Janet, DSi Board member and Ambassador for Canada, Morgan, our Ambassador for Indonesia, and Emma, DSi Advocacy and Inclusion Officer.
We asked these self-advocates to share their thoughts about the event:
What was your favourite part of the Summit?
Janet said, “My favorite part of the summit was meeting people from all over the world, all trying make world a better place.”
Emma said, “It was wonderful to have the chance to speak to lots of people about my experiences of the UK health system. They are mostly good experiences. This will help others to understand how to deliver good healthcare for people with disabilities. I want everyone to have access to good healthcare.”
Morgan said, “I was happiest during the summit when I delivered my presentation in the Down Syndrome International health session. It was my first international opportunity to speak up live in front of people from different backgrounds, and not just from the Down syndrome community. The Global Disability Summit also gave me the opportunity to meet so many people with different disabilities from different backgrounds and from all over the world. They all amazed me, and made me feel that I am not alone.”
How did it feel to be at the Summit?
Janet said, “I do feel honored to be a part of the summit and I am proud that I got be on the panel and to co-chair the Civil Society Forum.”
Emma said, “It was really good to be in a space with lots of people with different disabilities. Everybody is different and has different ideas to share. I felt truly included – the space was accessible and I collected lots of accessible information that I could bring home to read later.”
Morgan said, “I feel very lucky to have such a great opportunity. I was the only representative of people with intellectual disabilities from my country, and also the youngest within the group from Indonesia.”
What was your favourite place to visit in Berlin?
Janet said, “I was glad to do the walking tour and to see the holocaust memorial.”
Emma said, “I enjoyed visiting the TV Tower, the walking tour, a boat ride at sunset, Berlin Zoo and Aquarium. And I had the best strawberry daiquiri I ever tasted!”
Morgan said, “My favorite place to visit in Berlin was the Spy Museum. I also liked the Berlin walking tour that I took with Janet and our moms. With my mom, I visited Reichstag building and Charlottenburg Palace. I also went to Postdam and Hamburg. In Hamburg I learned that hamburger is originally from Hamburg. Of course I tried the original hamburger. It was really good, quite different from the hamburger that I knew all this time.”
Learn more about our self-advocacy work:
Self advocacy
We are working with our network of people and organisations to support self-advocates to speak up for their rights.