Empowering our self advocates

Down Syndrome Foundation Nigeria (DSFN), has an avowed commitment to bridge the gap between children/adults with Down syndrome (DS) with the rest of society. Through a support system that seeks to integrate them into the community’s mainstream, they ultimately belong. This commitment is rooted in the firm belief that if given the necessary encouragement and enabling environment to grow like others.

People with DS can actualize their potential and live fulfilled lives. To this end, DSFN has put in place as part of her educational curriculum work-related and self-help skills to enable them to function effectively in any environment they find themselves in.

PIECES OF TRAINING
Eliakim Global Resources and Claudia’s Threshold Foundation
Alexis Herman postulated that “Inclusion and fairness in the workplace is not simply the right thing to do; it’s the smart thing to do.” In conjunction with Claudia’s Threshold Foundation, Eliakim Global Resources organized nine weeks of training to educate and enlighten young adults on Functional skills to operate effectively in a work setting. This training involves:

Soft skills
Work ethics
Utilizing your strength
Dealing with your weaknesses
Marketing
Teamwork
Winning with people
Customer service

The long-term goal and aim are to promote inclusion in a work environment.

Assessments
The young adults were grouped (3 groups) and assessed their skills, abilities, and passion. The result showed that group one would center on job experience programs, group two on internship, and group three on apprenticeship.

Inclusion International
Another training was conducted by Inclusion International, an international network of people with intellectual disabilities and their families, of which DSFN is a member. This training served as a follow-up to the previous training organized by Eliakim Global Resources and Claudia’s Threshold Foundation. Its primary focus was on the rights and empowerments of our self-advocates. The training was facilitated by two DS self-advocates (Mia Farah from Lebanon and Jennifer from Kenya) and their support persons.

Down Syndrome Foundation Nigerian’s young adults can advocate for their rights, including the right to work, marriage, life, be respected, vote, education, and more. DSFN has embarked on the mission to integrate them into society by establishing relationships with organizations willing to give them the needed opportunities to thrive in their respective areas of interest. This interest ranges from fashion to Art and other interest.

The ultimate goal is Social inclusion, which is the process of improving the terms on which individuals and groups participate in society; improving the ability, opportunity, and dignity of those disadvantaged based on their identity. We are determined to bridge the gap between those living with Down syndrome and other forms of intellectual disabilities with the rest of society.

Sunday Ojo,
Head, Educational and Social Services,
Down syndrome Foundation Nigeria.