Hello Estonia and hello to the Down syndrome Association Estonia! First of all, I want to thank you for participating in our Europe Down syndrome Month, our project about what it is like to have Down syndrome in Europe! I have been wanting to visit Estonia for many years and I am very curious to know how Down syndrome is seen by Estonians!
Photo: Minu Unistuste Päev
But first of all, could you please tell us a bit more about your association?
The aim of the Down Syndrome Association Estonia is to connect parents of children with Down Syndrome, to create better development and learning opportunities for children, to encourage and support each other, which enables children to integrate more easily and early into society.
How is Down syndrome perceived by Estonians, especially by the younger generation?
Younger generation knows about Down syndrome, but contact with them is still rather small. Younger people are mostly more tolerant and they are more helpful. Younger generation sees the world in a more diverse way :)
What stereotypes still remain and what can be done to avoid them?
There are many stereotypes worldwide. They are well outlined in here: https://www.globaldownsyndrome.org/about-down-syndrome/misconceptions-vs-reality/
Does the educational system allow children to be in contact with children with special needs? If yes, how do you think it can benefit others? If not, why and what needs to change?
Children with moderate and severe learning disabilities mostly study in special schools where they don’t come into contact with so-called age appropriate children. We hope that the Estonian school system will one day be updated and children with moderate and severe learning disabilities will have the opportunity to study together with age appropriate children. This would increase tolerance and empathy in society.
How are you helping young adults enter the professional world? What are the most common jobs?
In most cases, parents have to do a lot of work themselves: regularly visit the Unemployment Insurance Fund with their young adult, look for companies that could offer suitable jobs, accompany the young adult to job interviews if necessary, organize work-related logistics, etc.
Most common jobs are: cleaner, janitor, shopping trolley collector.
Are companies generally open to hiring someone with Down syndrome?
No. Estonia still has a long way to go when it comes to hiring people with Down syndrome.
At MANOA we are convinced that having a colleague with Down syndrome can bring a lot to the team. How do you see it and do you think our generation is more open to integrating people with Down syndrome?
The younger generation is definitely more open to integrating people with Down Syndrome. A lot has changed in this matter since Estonia became an independent country again - people with moderate and severe learning disabilities mostly grow up in homes, go to school and are no longer "hidden" in closed institutions.
What are the main goals of the association and how are you planning on achieving them?
Connect parents of children with Down syndrome.
Encourage and support each other.
Share experiences.
We organize family days and get-togethers. We exchange information both face-to-face and online (email list, open and closed FB groups). If a child with Down syndrome is born, with the parent's consent, we visit the family and offer experience counseling.
In a few weeks we would like to make a map of Europe for our followers indicating how they can make a difference with people with Down syndrome. What would be your three recommendations?
People with Down syndrome want to be part of society :)
Be tolerant.
Don't be afraid to communicate with people with Down syndrome.
Encourage companies to hire people with Down syndrome. With a little encouragement and help, people with Down syndrome can do a lot :)
Thank you very much for your time! I really appreciate it ! Is there one last thing you would like to say to our followers or to people related to Down Syndrome?
Don't let prejudices influence you regarding people with Down syndrome - see for yourself and you will be positively surprised.
Comments