Dublin to host Down syndrome congress

THE PEOPLE of Ireland would "learn a lot about the capacity of people with Down syndrome" when the tenth World Down Syndrome Congress opens in Dublin next year, Barnardos chief executive, Fergus Finlay, has said.

He said the fact that the congress was coming to Dublin was "very, very exciting".

He was speaking yesterday as Dublin was chosen as the location for the congress. The event takes place every three years. The event will take place in the Helix theatre and in Dublin City University from August 19th to 22nd, 2009, and is expected to attract over 2,000 delegates from across the world.

For the first time, the congress will next year run a synod of people with Down syndrome, giving them an opportunity to discuss issues that affect their lives. Mr Finlay congratulated Down Syndrome Ireland for winning the congress and for the respect the organisation shows to families affected by the condition.

"As the parent of a young lady with Down syndrome I can tell you anyone who thinks a person with Down syndrome can't speak for themselves will quickly get a rude awakening. You learn a lot and when the congress comes here, the people of Ireland are going to learn a lot about the capacity for independent living and capacity for growth; about their determination and the single-mindedness of those with Down syndrome. I think this congress will teach us nothing is impossible," he said.

Mr Finlay said the Government had no coherent plan for the life-long development and education of people with moderate intellectual disability and he hoped the congress would encourage policymakers to improve the record in this regard.

"The Disability Act is not working. The guarantee that there would be an independent assessment [of needs] for everyone with a disability is not happening, particularly for adults."

He criticised the absence of publicly-funded third-level education for people with intellectual disability. While the Special Olympics had changed community attitudes to intellectual disability, public policy had been slow to follow.

Mark Reilly, a young man with Down syndrome from Bellewstown, Co Meath, exhorted other adults with Down syndrome to become ambassadors to the congress. Further information about the congress can be found at  www.wdsc2009.com