What is EU for Trisomy 21 ?
A European initiative where organisations, citizens, and politicians work together to celebrate World Down Syndrome Day. Together, we raise awareness about intellectual disabilities, especially Trisomy 21, also called Down Syndrome, the most common genetic cause of intellectual disability.
EU for Trisomy 21 (EUFT21) is a European collaborative network bringing together organisations, families, professionals, and self-advocates who are committed to improving the lives of people with Down Syndrome, also known as Trisomy 21.
Our network includes many grassroots initiatives and organisations working close to people with Trisomy 21 and their families in their own countries and communities. By sharing experience, building common projects, and learning from one another, we create stronger European cooperation and help bring the voices and needs of people with Trisomy 21 into wider public and policy discussions.
EUFT21 works to promote the freedom, visibility, health, inclusion, and equal treatment of people with Trisomy 21. The European Union can play an important role in areas such as healthcare, employment, education, accessibility, and human rights. However, support for people with intellectual disabilities is still often too limited, and stronger action is needed to ensure that their rights and dignity are fully respected.
To make a change, EUFT21 works to:
- Stop discrimination and make sure people with Down Syndrome are treated fairly, with respect for their dignity and human rights.
- Help people with disabilities learn new skills, build confidence, and become more independent in their daily lives and communities.
- Create chances for people with Down Syndrome to speak for themselves and talk directly to EU leaders, decision-makers, and the wider public.
- Push for better laws, policies, and funding to support people with disabilities and their families across Europe.
- Make sure the EU keeps its promises to protect disability rights and includes people with intellectual disabilities in its work.
Our activities include training workshops, skill-building programmes, awareness-raising events, and dialogue with leaders in the European Parliament and other European institutions. We also help people with disabilities learn about their rights, express their views, and take part in decisions that affect their lives.
Our work supports important European commitments, including the EU Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2021–2030. Through our projects and advocacy, we work for a Europe where everyone has a voice, equal opportunities, and the support they need to participate fully in society.
What does EU for Trisomy 21 want ?
We want the needs of people with intellectual disabilities to become a priority on the European agenda in order to guarantee real equality between citizens.
Visibility
People with disabilities are not present in the political environment, are not present in the labour market neither in the media. If people with disabilities are not visible in the society, it’s impossible to create the necessary changes.
Non-discrimination
EU anti-discrimination legislation has come a long way in recent years for the various minority groups, except for people with disabilities. People with intellectual disabilities need some special accommodations to ensure that those laws and jurisprudence protect them and not only in theory.
Health
The European Union must act in the best interest of people with intellectual disabilities to ensure their right to a “a high level of human health protection” as established by the Charter of fundamental rights of the European Union.
Autonomy
In order to guarantee independence and freedom of choice for people with intellectual disabilities, we must promote their autonomy. To this end the EU must encourage medical research program with therapeutic goals and inclusive innovative social projects that integrate in the society their diversities.