Sue Buckley launches major appeal to accelerate research to benefit
people with Down syndrome everywhere
Professor Sue Buckley OBE today launched
the Sue Buckley Research Fund - a major new appeal to
revitalise and
accelerate scientific research and education to benefit people with Down syndrome everywhere.
The Sue Buckley Research Fund
Sue Buckley, Director of Research and Science at
The Down Syndrome Educational Trust, has been at the forefront of
international research into the education and
development of children with Down syndrome for
nearly 30 years.
Today she launched the Sue Buckley
Research Fund.
This major
new appeal aims to revitalise and accelerate scientific
research and education to benefit people with Down
syndrome everywhere, at a time when other sources of
funding for this area of research are declining.
Revitalising and accelerating research and
education
Launching the appeal, Sue commented:
"Great strides in the relevant sciences have been
made in the last 10 years. I think that we could now
see an explosion of relevant research in the next 10
years if we can make the funding available. This
optimism is shared by many in the international Down
syndrome community. Many more scientists and
practitioners are interested in this field and in
working together more effectively.
"I believe that we could be on the edge of very
considerable advances in our knowledge that will
deliver important improvements in services, support
and progress for people with Down syndrome. This is
why I am asking everyone who wants to see better
opportunities for people with Down syndrome to
support this Appeal."
Advised by leading scientists and practitioners
The Sue Buckley Research Fund will deliver clear
and measurable benefits to the lives of
people with Down syndrome everywhere.
The work of
the fund is being guided by a Science, Research
and Intervention Advisory Board that includes
many of the world's leading scientists and
practitioners with an interest in Down syndrome and
all committed to effecting change through the
widespread dissemination of evidence-based practice.
Making the most gain - quickly
The planned program of research and communication
- undertaken by researchers at the Trust and at
other leading institutions around the world -
will:
- Provide free access to high quality guidance,
information and teaching resources
- Reduce the effects of hearing loss
- Reduce behaviour problems
- Reduce sleep disturbance
- Deliver effective home learning programmes
- Improve memory skills
- Improve speech clarity
- Understand the reasons for individual differences
- Improve literacy and maths skills
- Increase the success of inclusive education
Detailing the fund's priorities and financial
goals, Sue Buckley said:
"Our current priorities for people with Down
syndrome focus on the areas where the most gain can
be made quickly. All of these priority initiatives
will lead to demonstrable benefits for people with
Down syndrome. We can deliver these gains today,
given your support."
"We want to see a world where people with
Down syndrome have every opportunity to achieve
their potential and lead fulfilling lives. I hope you will help me achieve our ambitions
for people with Down syndrome everywhere."
Achieving these goals will require annual funding of
£5.6 million ($11.2 million/€7.8 million) for
scientific research and education. The Trust's target is to
reach this by 2012.
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