The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD) calls for “full and effective participation and inclusion in society”. In line with this, the campaign for World Down Syndrome Day 2022 focusses on understanding what "Inclusion Means" to persons with down syndrome.
We asked persons with Down Syndrome the question and we got insightful and interesting responses.
Pranay Burde
Hello Everybody. Wish you all a happy World Down Syndrome Day.
To Me Inclusion Means:
Having full access to activities and having full participation in society, equal opportunity, network of friendships.
Inclusion also means having meaningful social roles in the family, workplace and in the community.
Inclusion also means getting various rights and resources that are available to others.
And above all HAVING A SENSE OF BELONGING. For example , when a person with Downs Syndrome is admitted in normal school he or she should feel “this is my playground, this is my curriculum, this is my teacher, this is my class and above all the other students are my friends”. This way person with Downs Syndrome will have a sense of belonging .
Some changes and modifications should be made in the system to overcome barriers to accommodate persons with Downs Syndrome in order to get them included.
Persons with Downs Syndrome should have voter ID and should be able to vote in elections so that they are politically included. They also should have employment and bank account in order to get their financial inclusion.
I was never provided with any change or modification at The Leela where I worked for 13 years. I am a great example of INCLUSIVE EMPLOYMENT of person with Down Syndrome. I have a bank account and spend money for my needs. I also cast my vote. I am proud to say that I am leading an independent life like others and included in all activities in family, community and at workplace.
For this achievement, credit goes to my family, my teachers and my friends as we friends of my brothers.
Pranay Burde (above) has shared his thoughts with the help of his father.
Gayatri Gupta is a gifted artist and photographer and wanted to express her thoughts using her craft. She created this to express her views:
Read more about Gayatri Gupta: I decide everything I like to do
Pic above: Gayatri Gupta
Shaurya Mehrotra is a 34 year old proud potter and artist with Down Syndrome. He creates his pottery pieces in his studio that he runs along with the help of his mom.
His mother Nina says:
Inclusion for Shaurya means to be able to work and play together. finding his own expression through the medium of clay and being a part of a studio where others are also encouraged to find their own expression and creativity in clay is something that makes him feel included and happy .
He wishes to reach out to more people. He says he would love to make new friends, spend leisure time with them or plan get togethers for fun.
Read more about Shaurya and the role of the studio
Shaurya Mehrotra above at the studio with others and with her pottery
Dev is 16 years old and a gifted painter.
His mother Parul Kala says:
Presently he lives at home with his family in gurgaon. After two years of online schooling and barely any outings , he has taken both his vaccinations and is ready to start physical school. Just like every other teenager.
Strictly speaking from Dev’s perspective the world is quite inclusive. He has the opportunity and infrastructure to travel extensively, eat out wherever he wants , participate in social functions like weddings and birthdays and have a career if he so wants.
He lives in a world that is pretty much catered to his happiness and considerations. His family and the society he lives in are compassionate to his needs and he is very much loved and cherished.
He, in turn, enriches the lives of all who are touched by him.
Dev is a gifted painter. His works adorn many a home of friends and family and he is very proud of his achievements. It could also be a potential career opportunity for him.
Dev in front of his paintings
As his mother what I think inclusiveness means for him : being independent as much as is possible and being able to co-exist in society.
His current school Evoluer Solutions provides individuals with diverse needs – including people with disabilities – the skills to comfortably pursue a mainstream professional career. They aim to equip their students with professional and emotional skills to valuably contribute to businesses. Dev sees role models at Evoluer. They draw him into their peer circle, and include him in all group activities. He’s encouraged to do his best independently.
Dev playing with sunlight
Read more about the early years of Dev here.
