Description
People with Down syndrome are more profoundly rejected than any other group of people with disabilities, even those with intellectual disability. The all too common refusal is reinforced by the lack of experience and knowledge about people with Down syndrome. The purpose of the project is to provide non-disabled people first-hand experience of the difficulties people with Down syndrome often face, together with the need and possibility to bridge these difficulties with cooperation. Visitors of the International Down Syndrome Day celebrations can volunteer to play and take part at a discussion afterwards about the game, about Down syndrome and the ways to further contribute to a more accepting community. The experience and the knowledge gained may motivate and help them modify their in group-out group borders and enhance cooperation. The game will be presented by 10 non-governmental organizations in Hungary, who agree on the main features of the project. Down Association will establish a protocol and help the cooperating organizations with know-how, communication, constant availability and resources.
Summary of project results
People with Down syndrome (DS) are profoundly rejected by society. The refusal is reinforced by the lack of experience and knowledge about them. The objective of the project was to introduce a game that provides 1000 non-disabled people first-hand experience of the difficulties people with DS often face, and of the possibility to bridge these difficulties with cooperation. The game was presented by 11 non-governmental organizations in different regions of Hungary. 1270 players and 100 volunteers have been involved. Their feedback implies that the aimed impact was mostly achieved: participants have become more open and willing to contribute to a more accepting society. Many organizers provided opportunites to meet for people with and without DS. Down Association established a protocol and helped the organizations to manage the game independently. Many of them still carry on playing. The cooperation proved to be beneficial both to the organizations and Down Association.
Summary of bilateral results