Down Syndrome Awareness Month

Opened the debate

Lisa Cameron highlighted the importance of Down Syndrome Awareness Month, emphasising the need to celebrate the achievements and contributions of people with Down’s syndrome. She thanked several organisations for their support and discussed the medical and social aspects of living with Down's syndrome. Cameron addressed the decline in births due to prenatal testing, stressing the importance of providing balanced information to parents. She shared individual stories of success from various fields including arts, sports, and employment, emphasising that people with Down’s syndrome can lead fulfilling lives and contribute positively to society. The MP also discussed the WorkFit scheme by the Down's Syndrome Association, which helps train employers to accommodate individuals with Down's syndrome in their workforce. Cameron questioned whether young people with learning disabilities could benefit from the kickstart scheme or internships, and suggested consulting government colleagues for support on starting businesses. She concluded by highlighting a study showing that only 6% of adults with learning disabilities have paid jobs despite wanting to work.

Government Response

Minister Helen Whately thanked Lisa Cameron for her speech, expressing appreciation for her work in raising awareness of Down Syndrome Awareness Month. She shared the story of Michael, a young man with Down's syndrome who has won over 60 medals in Special Olympics and ran his first marathon during the pandemic. The Minister emphasised the importance of supporting children and young people with special educational needs through education, health, and care provisions during the pandemic. Whately outlined several government initiatives to support disabled workers, including Access to Work grants and the Disability Confident scheme, noting that she would follow up on questions about kickstart schemes for people with disabilities and starting businesses. She also addressed health inequalities faced by those with Down’s syndrome and learning disabilities, committing to mandatory training in learning disability and autism for all healthcare staff. The Minister highlighted efforts to reopen day services and respite care during the pandemic and concluded that while progress has been made, there is always more to do to support people with Down's syndrome.