Down's Syndrome Awareness Week 2003
01/06/2003
PUBLIC IGNORANCE IS THE BIGGEST HANDICAP FOR PEOPLE WITH DOWN'S SYNDROME AS SURVEY RESULTS SHOW A 'REALITY GAP'. (National and regional survey results available)
Issue date: 27th May 2003
Embargoed until Sunday 1st June 2003
PUBLIC IGNORANCE IS THE BIGGEST HANDICAP FOR PEOPLE WITH DOWN’S SYNDROME, AS SURVEY SHOWS A ‘REALITY GAP’.
An NOP survey to mark Down’s Syndrome Awareness Week revealed that the majority of the UKpopulation significantly underestimated the ability of people with Down’s syndrome to ‘live life to the full’ – the theme for this year’s Awareness Week activities. The survey results reveal a serious barrier to inclusion for people with Down’s syndrome.
When asked how likely it is that a person with Down’s syndrome can achieve ‘quality of life goals’ such as enjoying good health, attending a mainstream school and later having a job and a partner, many seemed unaware that people with Down’s syndrome can have the same life goals as everyone else. Significantly, the older generation were most out of step with the reality suggesting that they are most likely to be clinging to outdated perceptions.
In the survey, only 34% thought that it was likely a child with Down’s syndrome would attend a mainstream school. In contrast, Stephanie Lorenz, Inclusion Consultant and Education Psychologist said: “Most babies born today can expect to attend a mainstream primary school with increasing numbers moving on to a mainstream secondary school as the benefits of inclusion are being more widely recognised.”
The survey result on health was even more out of step with 42% thinking poor health was likely. Professor Tony Holland – medical advisor to DSA – disagreed, saying: “In reality most people with Down’s syndrome are capable of being as healthy (or unhealthy) as the rest of the population, providing they have access to the individual healthcare we all expect. We need health professionals to understand the syndrome but still see the individual. Although people with Down’s syndrome may age faster in ways that we do not fully understand, better healthcare means that many may well enjoy a healthy life of sixty years plus.”
On adult life issues, just over a third of respondents thought holding down a job or getting married were realistic ambitions, leaving the majority either unsure or unconvinced that people with Down’s syndrome could achieve these things. In contrast, many people with Down’s syndrome live full, semi-independent adult lives, aspiring to the same basic goals as most people in society. Andrew Roebuck, a trustee of the Down’s Syndrome Association, is married to Sarah – they both have Down’s syndrome: “We have been married for four years exactly and it is brilliant. We share the cooking and cleaning and travel to Portugal on holiday when we are not at work.”
Down’s Syndrome Association Chief Executive Carol Boys said: “These survey results are extremely disappointing and it is about time public perceptions caught up with reality. We all take for granted our access to education, healthcare, work, accommodation and relationships. For people with Down’s syndrome the ambitions are the same but the reality can often be different. Public perceptions will continue to be a real barrier to inclusion unless we challenge these myths.”
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Anglia
Carlton
Central
Granada
Harlech
Meridian
Scotland
Tyne Tees
For further information contact Puja Morjaria at The Forster Company. Tel: or e-mail: .
NOP RESEARCH GROUP interviewed a UK representative sample of 998 adults between 2nd and 4th of May 2003.