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world down syndrome day 2024: "assume that i can" campaign aims to remove biases and stereotypes
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canadian down syndrome society
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the way people with down syndrome experience the world is often viewed from a distorted lens. while it does come with some limitations depending on the extent of the intellectual disability, which is unique on a case-by-case basis, people with down syndrome are not simply unable to experience “normal” life because of their syndrome.
in many cases, the inability to do the things a neurotypical person can do isn’t halted by their disability at all but rather by the way the community around them views down syndrome and the many misconceptions that come with it.
for world down syndrome day 2024, the canadian down syndrome society (cdss), in partnership with coordown (italy) and many other down syndrome societies across the globe, developed a hit-you-in-the-face campaign to help educate and enlighten people about down syndrome and clear up the misconceptions held by a vast majority of the neurotypical population.
the campaign, entitled “assume that i can”, shines a light on the treatment of people with down syndrome and the way the world around them often assumes they can’t participate in an activity or accomplish a task, and so they don’t.
laura lachance, executive director of cdss, sees the biases that people with down syndrome face every single day and how it creates a widespread issue for those who belong to the down syndrome community as well as the neurotypical people who actively strengthen those biases.
“it is mostly the assumption that they can’t. individuals with down syndrome are all brushed with the same paintbrush that everybody’s the same and that people just can’t. ‘well, of course, people with down syndrome can’t do that.,” lachance said. “and they really are stereotypes.”
stereotypes faced in the down syndrome community
people with down syndrome and their loved ones have been fighting misconceptions regarding the intellectual disability for as long as the disorder has been around. up until the 1980s, derogatory terms were still widely prevalent when used to speak about someone who has down syndrome.
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while political correctness has been able to address the inappropriate names used to describe people with down syndrome, the stereotypes and misconceptions have yet to be altered in a tangible and effective way that changes societal views and expectations of people with down syndrome and their ability to participate in the world around them.
“it’s particularly around learning, learning a second language. around exercise, around fitness, around personal achievements, pursuing personal likes and dislikes,” lachance said. “perhaps also moving through life stages. if people are to be employed, [it’s like] ‘well, people with down syndrome can’t work. if we do give them a job, we just let them volunteer.’ no, it’s paid work. when you show up to do work, you get paid.”
“it’s that assumption that, well, why would you pay someone with an intellectual disability? they can’t do much, and yet we know that yes, not all individuals can do everything, but many individuals can do a lot and like doing that—if somebody just gives them the opportunity.”
the continued barrage of stereotypical actions against people with down syndrome is alive and well in today’s society, often attributed to a psychological phenomenon coined by robert k. merton known as self-fulfilling prophecy.
the prophecy states that when people hold assumptions and act accordingly, those assumptions effectively come to fruition, even if they are incorrect.
according to the campaign press release from the cdss, “in practical terms, if a teacher, for example, thinks a student cannot understand a concept, and teaches them according to that belief, the student will fail to learn.”
in reality, many students with down syndrome can learn well beyond what people often give them credit for, and these biases continue to ring true because people believe in them, further negating the reality of living with down syndrome and what people with the disability can and cannot do in their lifetimes.
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lachance, who has a son with down syndrome, has seen the direct effects of biases with her own eyes.
“i just went to the eye doctor with my son. my son is 30. he is an adult. he has down syndrome. but when the receptionist was talking, she was talking to me. why are you talking to me? he can hear you. he’s not hard of hearing. he knows why he’s here,” lechance said. “people make assumptions about what individuals with down syndrome may or may not choose to do before they’ve even asked somebody with down syndrome.”
the new awareness campaign, already making waves on social media and beyond, aims to dispel misconceptions and give people with down syndrome a voice and the opportunity to forge their own paths in life.
the “assume that i can” campaign takes awareness to a new level
the “assume that i can” campaign began with a video—starring toronto native and hollywood actor madison tevlin—showcasing all the things people with down syndrome can do when not tied down by forced stereotypes and biases.
“the subject for this year’s work was going to be about that self-fulfilling prophecy, you know, assume that i can and the stereotype, don’t judge a book by its cover. it’s the ultimate don’t judge a book by its cover,” said lechance.
it’s designed to flip the script of that self-fulfilling prophecy from negative to positive by calling on people to assume the best before writing people with down syndrome off as unable to do all the same things that neurotypical people can do.
“we know that not everybody can do everything the same way you and i can’t. i’m not a rock climber, and you’re not a rock climber. but could a person with down syndrome be a rock climber? why not? with the right supports,” lechance said. “but you might make assumptions, ‘oh, they could never be a rock climber. where with you and i, nobody makes that assumption until we’ve tried, and we’re really not cut out for it.”
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the global effort continues to make waves in the media, both news outlets and social, with the video amassing hundreds of thousands of views since its release roughly a week ago. it continues to make a splash because of its strong message that doesn’t just spread awareness for those in the down syndrome community but society at large.
“it’s really a time for education and to shine a spotlight on the abilities of people, and everybody is different. every person with down syndrome has different abilities and desires and passion and things that they are interested in,’ lechance said. “it’s not that they’re trying to be the same as people without down syndrome, but in this instance, it really is about not making assumptions. it was meant to be a highlight to bring to your attention that maybe, inadvertently, you do make assumptions.”
but the video alone doesn’t simply shed light on the challenges people with down syndrome face trying to excel in life. it also calls on others to share their stories, experiences, and unconscious biases to create a worldwide community geared toward actively changing the narrative.
“i think it’s an opportunity to enhance the reach of the campaign, and each of the countries that had supported the production of the campaign contributed video clips of individuals talking about their own journey with people making assumptions about what they couldn’t do, and it’s interesting,” lechance said.
people with down syndrome aren’t asking for special treatment. they are looking to be treated with the same decency and respect as people without down syndrome. they don’t want you to cater to them; they just want to be given a chance to go for what they want without having to prove themselves to the world first.
“everything that is highlighted in the new awareness campaign, everything from drinking alcohol to learning a sport to learning in school to partying and enjoying themselves—it doesn’t mean that everybody with down syndrome is going to do that,” lachance added. “it’s ‘assume that i can and maybe i will.’”
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healthing invites you to get involved in the campaign by sharing your own stories with the hashtags #assumethatican and #endthestereotypes to create an even bigger global voice alongside coordown, the canadian down syndrome society, and the many other organizations across the globe that are making the push toward an unbiased future for those living with down syndrome.
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