Strategy 2009-2013
Over 2.8 million babies will be born with Down syndrome in the next 10 years. Over
2.5 million will be born in developing regions.
Down Syndrome Education International plans to improve the support and education
provided to young people with Down syndrome worldwide, delivering lasting improvements
to the quality of life for over 500,000 people with Down syndrome annually by 2013.
Our case for support
- Down syndrome leads to a specific range of issues for people living
with the condition
- Knowledge of these issues informs effective support and interventions
provided by families, health and education professionals and nonprofits
- Knowledge is acquired through scientific research
- Research is best focused by a comprehensive understanding of the individual
needs of people with Down syndrome, informed through extensive experience
of working with families and professionals from all social, economic and cultural
backgrounds
- Effective research and impactful support require productive partnerships
among scientists, practitioners, families, governments and nonprofits
- Scientific advances only lead to real progress when disseminated widely
to those who can effect real change – to improve practice for all, advice and information
must reach diverse audiences
- Research and wide dissemination impacts the quality of life for people with
Down syndrome globally
- Funding flows from those whose needs are met by our work and from
those who are inspired by our achievements and by our potential
- Global support is necessary to deliver the research that will ensure
the brightest future for young people with Down syndrome
- Down Syndrome Education International (DownsEd International) is well positioned
to deliver widespread improvements in the lives of hundreds of thousands of people
who, in many parts of the world, are more often overlooked or inadequately served
- DownsEd International's plans offer outstanding social returns on investment
– by leveraging better outcomes from existing government and nonprofit intervention
and support services we deliver improved services worth many times the original
research investment
Down Syndrome Education International
- DownsEd International has a global reach, helping thousands of
families and education and healthcare professionals worldwide in over 170 countries
- DownsEd International has a successful 30 year track record of
advancing scientific understanding and demonstrating life-changing approaches to
supporting development and education for young people with Down syndrome
- DownsEd International has unique expertise and information resources.
DownsEd International researchers have pioneered developmental research for young
people with Down syndrome in the field and have decades of extensive experience
of working with families, teachers and therapists
- DownsEd International has an extensive international network of contacts
among partner NGOs and research institutions and experience of effective collaboration
with many of them
Our plans
- DownsEd International plans to grow rapidly to a size sufficient to accelerate
scientific progress and dramatically extend the impact of evidence-based
support for young people with Down syndrome
- DownsEd International will deliver an expanded programme of research
focused on addressing the key issues necessary to make substantial improvements
in the quality life of young people with Down syndrome
- DownsEd International will provide global communication and education programmes
that deliver publications, training and services to inform and guide families, education
and healthcare professionals, and nonprofit and governmental organisations
- DownsEd International will build international funding through
wider service delivery, closer engagement with clients and donors everywhere, global
fundraising events and focused appeals, and corporate and high net worth individual
donor campaigns
- DownsEd International will grow and sustain donor engagement through
improved donor relationship management, networking and communication and through
greater stakeholder involvement and transparency
- DownsEd International will continue to deliver social objectives through
a mixed economy of philanthropic activity and social enterprise, maintaining
diverse income streams, maximising our impact and ensuring the widest access
- DownsEd International will minimise overhead commitments, remaining
responsive to less predictable funding streams and remaining flexible to engage
in new opportunities
- DownsEd International will seek a variety of philanthropic and social investment
funds, seeking donations and grants for research and free access services
and engaging venture philanthropists and social investors to support programmes
earning income
Find out more
To find out more about our Strategy and Operational Plans 2009-2013 please
email strategy@downsed.org.