About Down's Syndrome Association

One in a thousand babies are born with Down’s syndrome – that is two babies born everyday in the UK. Down’s syndrome is the most common cause of severe learning disability in the UK, affecting 60,000 people. It is a genetic condition - it occurs by chance and any mother can have a baby with Down’s syndrome.

The Down’s Syndrome Association provides information, advice and support to people with Down’s syndrome, their families and carers, as well as acting as a resource for interested professionals. The charity also strives to improve knowledge and understanding of the condition among the general public and champions the rights of people with Down’s syndrome.

With the right support, people with Down’s syndrome can live healthy lives, attend the school of their choice, get a job and live in their own accommodation. The DSA invests around £1.5 million every year towards supporting people with Down’s syndrome to live full and rewarding lives.

For more information please check out www.downs-syndrome.org.uk

Our history

Originally the Down's Babies' Association, the charity was formed in 1970. Rex Brinkworth, a teacher with an interest in children with learning disabilities, founded the association shortly after his own daughter, Francoise, was born with the condition.  In those days people with Down's syndrome were generally referred to as 'mongols'; they were considered to be 'educationally sub-normal' and were not entitled to any form of education. 

Many people with Down's syndrome lived in institutional settings such as long-stay mental subnormality hospitals. Rex produced the first factsheets for parents about helping the development of children with Down's syndrome.

Today life for people with Down's syndrome is very different. With the right support, people with Down's syndrome can go to school, get jobs and live semi-independent lives. The Down's Syndrome Association now covers England, Wales and Northern Ireland, supporting people with Down's syndrome and their families, through the national helpline, website, wide range of publications, regional officers, conferences and campaigns. It provides information, advice and support on all aspects of living with Down's syndrome.

In recent times the association has made great steps in the campaigns for equal access to healthcare and education by providing accurate information to professionals and training on issues around Down's syndrome. It also strives to raise understanding and awareness among the general public and champions the rights of people with Down's syndrome to live healthy, rewarding and fulfilling lives.

Find out more about the Down's Syndrome Association and the potential of people with Down's syndrome at its website www.downs-syndrome.org.uk