Measures to support the early detection of young people living with disabilities, ensuring timely intervention, and inclusive education were discussed at the 15th Annual World Down Syndrome Day Conference at the Hyatt Regency Hotel on Thursday.
This year’s conference focused on advancing inclusion through legislative and academic reform.
In his address, Minister of Education, Dr. Michael Dowlath, said urgent reform to the academic curriculum and implementation of neuro-developmental screening in schools nationwide is being looked into.
Minister Dowlath said a revitalised focus has been placed on neuro-developmental screening within the education system, allowing the Ministry to move from action to readiness and from delay to deliberate support, ensuring that no child is left behind.
“By looking to expand screening initiatives, we are working to ensure that no child enters our school system unseen, misunderstood or unsupported. We are equipping educators and specialists with the tools to recognise diverse developmental pathways early and to respond with better precision and care. We are restructuring our Schools Student Support Services.”
Dr. Dowlath added that the Ministry will also be tailoring the academic curriculum to cater to diverse learning needs.
“We are adapting our curriculum to be more inclusive, more flexible, and more responsive to different learning needs. This includes differentiated instruction strategies, multi-modal teaching approaches and the integration of support mechanisms that allow students with Down syndrome and other neuro developmental differences to thrive not on the margins but at the centre of the learning experience.”
The annual event, hosted by the Down Syndrome Family Network, not only seeks to amend policy decisions, inclusivity and academic reform to better address the needs of persons with disabilities but is also aimed to ensure that individuals living with Down syndrome are given a seat at the table to actively contribute to the decision-making process.
In her address, President Christine Kangaloo reminded the audience about the importance of inclusion in every aspect of society.
“When I speak here of inclusion, I’m not speaking of surface inclusion. I am speaking about something far deeper. I am speaking of a society that through the work of organisations like yours comes to recognise that it is not enough for persons with Down syndrome to merely be present but that they must be participants, fully included in the everyday activities in everyday life in our schools, in our workplaces, our places of worship, our communities and our friendships.”