Bill raises awareness of Down syndrome

As founding officers of the National Down Syndrome Policy Group, we were disappointed by The Mail on Sunday’s decision to give a platform to the Down Syndrome Bill’s opponents, rather than celebrate this historic occasion with the Down syndrome community.

The Down Syndrome Bill is a world first. It has enjoyed unanimous cross-party support and is backed by the overwhelming majority of the Down syndrome community.

People with Down syndrome have been, and will continue to be, at the very heart of the consultation process.

All previous attempts to introduce a general Learning Disability Bill have failed, perhaps because the scope is too wide for any truly meaningful legislation to be enacted. A clear focus on one condition was needed to improve the chance of any legislation being passed. Why then, is it so wrong for the Down syndrome community to grab this rare opportunity with both hands?

While all people with Down syndrome are individuals and a diagnosis should not define the person, those with Down syndrome are a clearly definable group, with recognised and unique needs. This

Bill is not about enhanced rights for people with Down syndrome; it is about making sure these unique needs are not overlooked when planning and delivering services.

We hope this Bill will eventually provide a working framework for the wider learning disability community, but in the meantime, the Bill continues to raise awareness about the challenges people with Down syndrome and other learning disabilities face on a daily basis.

Rachael Ross MBE, Secretariat to the All-Party Parliamentary

Group on Down Syndrome