Maria Caulfield, Member of Parliament for Lewes, hosted a reception at Number 10 Downing Street to mark World Down Syndrome Day (21st March 2024).
The theme this year is to ‘End The Stereotypes’, people with Down Syndrome have shared their experiences of being perceived in a certain way due to having Down Syndrome including being treated like children, being underestimated and excluded.
Maria attended an event last year where she hosted a roundtable discussion about the government’s Down Syndrome Act. She gave an update yesterday on the implementation of the bill which came into effect on the 18th March 2024.
This follows over 1,500 responses to the government’s Call for Evidence from people with Down syndrome, their families and carers, professionals, and organisations, and the government will be publishing a summary of these findings shortly.
Commenting on the event, Maria Caulfield MP said:
“I was very pleased to host this reception in 10 Downing Street, World Down Syndrome Day is an important time to raise awareness of the experiences of those with Down Syndrome, this year it is all about Ending the Stereotypes. In developing the Down Syndrome Act we have been sure that any guidance and legislation is made with people with Down Syndrome and not just for”