Compiled by Jessica Gruber, Employment Coordination Manager

On March 21 at ProAct, people wore their funkiest, most colorful socks in support of their friends with Down syndrome in celebration of World Down Syndrome Day.

Down syndrome (or Trisomy 21) is a naturally occurring chromosomal arrangement that has always been a part of the human condition. It is universally present across racial, gender or socioeconomic lines in approximately 1 in 800 live births, although there is considerable variation worldwide.

It usually causes varying degrees of intellectual and physical disability and associated medical issues. People with Down syndrome have an inherent right to be accepted and included as valued and equal members of the community.

ProAct serves a substantial number of people with this condition.

• At ProAct’s Shakopee location, 24 percent of its 86 participants have Down Syndrome.
• The Eagan site serves 169 participants, 22 percent with Down Syndrome.
• At the Hudson location, 20 percent of ProAct’s 16 participants have Down Syndrome.
• ProAct in Red Wing has the smallest proportion of people with Down Syndrome, 11 percent of its 134 participants.

ProAct’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee helps educate staff and participants in the areas of beliefs, values, ethnicity, cultures, behaviors, disabilities, and race to ensure participants, co-workers and the larger community are treated with respect and dignity.

Material from worlddownsyndromeday.org