PERSONSPERSONS WITH DOWN WITH DOWN’S’S SYNDROME SYNDROME AND AND A A WORKING LIFEWORKING LIFE

1. 1. WORKING WITH WORKING WITH DOWN’S DOWN’S SYNDROMESYNDROME

“A General Understanding”“A General Understanding”

WHAT IS DOWN’S WHAT IS DOWN’S SYNDROME? SYNDROME?

Down’s syndrome is a major genetic disorder.

Down’s syndrome is the most visual chromosome anomaly.

The overall incidence occurs in about one in 700 births.

WHAT CAUSES DOWN’S WHAT CAUSES DOWN’S SYNDROME?SYNDROME?

Down’s syndrome is caused by the presence, in the maternal ovum or the fertilizing sperm, of an extra chromosome number 21.

Thus, every cell in the body of an individual with Down’s syndrome has 47 chromosomes instead of the normal 46.

In about a quarter of cases, the extra chromosome comes from the father.

USEFUL THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT USEFUL THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT DDOWN’SOWN’S S SYNDROMEYNDROME

Congenital disordersCongenital disorders such as heart and inner ear defects are such as heart and inner ear defects are common and there is a special susceptibility to Leukaemiacommon and there is a special susceptibility to Leukaemia

Life expectancy has increased and many persons with Down’s Life expectancy has increased and many persons with Down’s syndromesyndrome live reasonably long and full liveslive reasonably long and full lives

There is always some degree of mental defect, but this need not There is always some degree of mental defect, but this need not be severe and many people with Down’s syndrome are able to be severe and many people with Down’s syndrome are able to engage in normal work and employmentengage in normal work and employment

There is slow physical development and muscle power may be There is slow physical development and muscle power may be weakweak

2. WHY EMPLOY PERSONS WITH DOWN’ SYNDROME?

WHY EMPLOY PERSONS WITH DOWN’S SYNDROME?? PePersonsrsons with with DDown’s syndrome own’s syndrome like like toto

work, just like every one else.work, just like every one else.

PePersonsrsons with Down’s with Down’s ssyndrome yndrome can becan be methodical and thoroughmethodical and thorough in their in their approach to work duties and approach to work duties and responsibilities.responsibilities.

Persons with Down’s syndrome Persons with Down’s syndrome generallygenerally try to do their best.try to do their best.

2.1 THE BENEFITS OF HAVING PE2.1 THE BENEFITS OF HAVING PERSONSRSONS WITH DOWN’S SYNDROME WITH DOWN’S SYNDROME IN YOURIN YOUR

COMPANYCOMPANY

Access to a committed labor pool.Access to a committed labor pool. Employees with Down’s syndrome can be an effective Employees with Down’s syndrome can be an effective

part of your team and an asset to your companypart of your team and an asset to your company Free advice and support during recruitment and Free advice and support during recruitment and

selection. selection. Access to information on financial incentives available. Access to information on financial incentives available. Additional training can be provided by a Job Coach. Additional training can be provided by a Job Coach. Ongoing advice and support provided by a Job Coach. Ongoing advice and support provided by a Job Coach. Enhanced public image as an equal opportunities Enhanced public image as an equal opportunities

employer. employer.

THE BENEFITS OF HAVING PETHE BENEFITS OF HAVING PERSONSRSONS WITH WITH DOWN’S SYNDROME DOWN’S SYNDROME IN YOURIN YOUR COMPANYCOMPANY

2.2 THE BENEFITS OF 2.2 THE BENEFITS OF AA WORKING LIFE WORKING LIFE FOR PFOR PERSONSERSONS WITH DOWN’S WITH DOWN’S

SYNDROME SYNDROME

The Benefits of The Benefits of aa Working Life Working Life ffor Peor Personsrsons with Down’s with Down’s

SyndromeSyndrome Opportunity to earn a wage. Opportunity to earn a wage. More chance to socialise and meet new people. More chance to socialise and meet new people. Access to additional learning in the work place. Access to additional learning in the work place. Possible increase in self confidence. Possible increase in self confidence. Integration into the community...having equal Integration into the community...having equal

opportunities. opportunities. Being connected/ being part of the work force. Being connected/ being part of the work force. Increased independence through participating Increased independence through participating

economically in society. economically in society.

3 HOW CAN WE 3 HOW CAN WE SUPPORTSUPPORT P PERSONS ERSONS WITH DOWNWITH DOWN’S’S SYNDROME IN SYNDROME IN THETHE

WORK ENVIRONMENTWORK ENVIRONMENT

HHOW CAN WE SUPPORT PERSONSOW CAN WE SUPPORT PERSONS WITHWITH DDOWN’SOWN’S S SYNDROME INYNDROME IN THETHE WORK WORK

ENVIRONMENT?ENVIRONMENT?

By matching the skills of the individual to the By matching the skills of the individual to the demands of the task or jobdemands of the task or job

Introduction to co-workers and supervisorsIntroduction to co-workers and supervisors Agree co-worker mentor supportAgree co-worker mentor support Workplace induction, orientation and training Workplace induction, orientation and training

opportunitiesopportunities On-going ‘on and off’ the job support by placement On-going ‘on and off’ the job support by placement

agency (job coach)agency (job coach) Workplace adaptation (if necessary)Workplace adaptation (if necessary) On-going review of employee and roleOn-going review of employee and role

Towards a Working LifeTowards a Working Life

3.1 Recruitment of Persons with Down’s syndrome

Recruitment of Person’sRecruitment of Person’s with with DDown’s own’s SSyndromeyndrome

DisseminateDisseminate Flyers aFlyers annd d BBrochures to NGO’srochures to NGO’s, , EEducation ducation CCentersenters and and Service Providers ofService Providers of PPeersonsrsons with Dwith Down’s syndromeown’s syndrome..

Advertisements Advertisements placed inplaced in NeNewspapers or wspapers or MMagazines agazines whichwhich are dedicated are dedicated /aimed at/aimed at disabled people.disabled people.

Liaison and cooperationLiaison and cooperation with with EEmploymentmployment Agencies Agencies and Service Provider Iand Service Provider Institutionsnstitutions for persons with for persons with disabilitiesdisabilities..

Supported Employment operates nationally.  If you Supported Employment operates nationally.  If you would like details of a service in your area please see the would like details of a service in your area please see the contact page: IASE Ltd. (Irish Association of Supported contact page: IASE Ltd. (Irish Association of Supported Employment) Muing, Belmullet, Co. Mayo Tel: 097 Employment) Muing, Belmullet, Co. Mayo Tel: 097 82894 Fax: 097 82895 Email: info@iase.ie 82894 Fax: 097 82895 Email: info@iase.ie

Job AdvertisingJob Advertising

Use Use Business AdvertisementsBusiness Advertisements which: which:

• Are easy to readAre easy to read

• Are welcoming to persons with disabilitiesAre welcoming to persons with disabilities

• Have clear and specific job descriptionsHave clear and specific job descriptions

• Are accessible to persons with disabilities who Are accessible to persons with disabilities who have Down’s syndromehave Down’s syndrome

JOB INTERVIEWJOB INTERVIEW

Make the person at easeMake the person at ease

DiscussionsDiscussions should be should be simple and simple and clearclear Use shortUse short, simple and easy, simple and easy questionsquestions

Check understanding and clarityCheck understanding and clarity

Allow for a support advocate or mentorAllow for a support advocate or mentor

3.2 Integration to the Work Place

Integration to the Work Place

The job The job tasks tasks should be explained in detail to workers should be explained in detail to workers with Down’s Syndrome so as to with Down’s Syndrome so as to supportsupport integratintegrationion in in thethe work place. work place.

Sufficient tSufficient time ime and practice and practice should be given should be given toto them in them in order to get used to their jobs. order to get used to their jobs.

TasksTasks should be should be closely monitoredclosely monitored initiallyinitially. If they . If they miss some points miss some points in relation toin relation to their job, these point their job, these pointss should be remindedshould be reminded to them to them. If there is an unclear . If there is an unclear situation situation with thewith the job, job, thisthis should be re-explained to should be re-explained to them.them.

Co-Co-workers should workers should provide provide supportsupport.. Co-Co-workers workers maymay be trained about people with disabilitybe trained about people with disability..

A job coach may facilitate integration to the workplace A job coach may facilitate integration to the workplace and to the job.and to the job.

((

Integration Integration toto the Work Place the Work Place

Employers may need to Employers may need to facilitatefacilitate some change some changess so as so as to integrateto integrate people with Down’ Syndrome people with Down’ Syndrome in the work in the work place. Suchplace. Such changes will provide changes will provide supportsupport and increase and increase thethe efficiencyefficiency of the worker of the worker. .

Take necessary measures Take necessary measures to assureto assure health health and safety and safety. .

If necessary, rIf necessary, re-design the work place e-design the work place to make itto make it easieeasierr to do the job.to do the job.

WWorking hours should be arranged orking hours should be arranged and agreed to suit and agreed to suit both the employer and the employeeboth the employer and the employee. .

3.33.3 SOCIAL INTERACTION OF PESOCIAL INTERACTION OF PERSONSRSONS WITH DOWN’S SYNDROME IN WITH DOWN’S SYNDROME IN THETHE

WORK PLACEWORK PLACE

Social InteractionSocial Interaction in the Work in the Work PlacePlace

Social Interaction is an important factor for Social Interaction is an important factor for persons with Down’s syndrome in the work place.persons with Down’s syndrome in the work place.

Communicating and getting to know other Communicating and getting to know other workers should be facilitated and supported.workers should be facilitated and supported.

Co-Co-workers should workers should viewview pe personsrsons with Down’s with Down’s

Syndrome Syndrome the same as they would any other worker.the same as they would any other worker.

Workers with Down’s syndrome should be included in Workers with Down’s syndrome should be included in all workplace social interaction where practical and all workplace social interaction where practical and possible.possible.

THE THE EUROPEANEUROPEAN SUCCESS STORIES OF SUCCESS STORIES OF PEPERSONSRSONS WITH DOWN’S SYNDROME WITH DOWN’S SYNDROME

Success in Working Life for Persons with Down’s Syndrome

The successful stories of The successful stories of PPeersonsrsons with Down’s Syndrome with Down’s Syndrome

Catriona Daly Catriona Daly Norita HediganNorita Hedigan

IRELAND:IRELAND:

Success in Working Life for Persons with Down’s Syndrome

My name is Catriona DalyMy name is Catriona Daly I am 33 years old.I am 33 years old. I live in Mallow, Co. Cork Ireland. I live in an apartment with my two I live in Mallow, Co. Cork Ireland. I live in an apartment with my two

friends, Norita and Eileen. friends, Norita and Eileen. I work in the Town Hall office one afternoon a weekI work in the Town Hall office one afternoon a week I go to Drama Club on Tuesday evenings I go to Drama Club on Tuesday evenings I go to town for a meal or to the cinema I go to town for a meal or to the cinema I watch television in the evenings. I watch television in the evenings.

My name is Norita HediganMy name is Norita Hedigan I am 42 years old.I am 42 years old. I live in Mallow, Co. Cork Ireland. I live in an apartment with my two I live in Mallow, Co. Cork Ireland. I live in an apartment with my two

friends, Katie and Eileen. I stay there on my own at the weekends.friends, Katie and Eileen. I stay there on my own at the weekends. I go to the training centre when I am not at work.I go to the training centre when I am not at work. I work in a restaurant 3 mornings a week I work in a restaurant 3 mornings a week I like go to town for a meal or to the cinema. I like go to town for a meal or to the cinema. I watch television in the evenings. I watch television in the evenings.

Success in Working Life for Persons with Down’s Syndrome

I am really good at computers, I am really good at computers, sport, drama, dancing, sport, drama, dancing, housework, minding my nieces housework, minding my nieces and nephews.and nephews.

I need support in using I need support in using transport, cooking, living transport, cooking, living independently, and in buying independently, and in buying clothes.clothes.

I am really good at being I am really good at being Independent, computers, Independent, computers, sport, working, knitting, sport, working, knitting, being a good friend.being a good friend.

I need support in using I need support in using transport , going to see my transport , going to see my boyfriend, and in living boyfriend, and in living independently.independently.

FURTHERFURTHER INFORMATION INFORMATION AABOUT DOWN’S SYNDROMEBOUT DOWN’S SYNDROME

ForFor further Information on Down’s further Information on Down’s Syndrome in Ireland please Syndrome in Ireland please

contact:contact:

Down Syndrome IrelandDown Syndrome Ireland Citylink Business ParkCitylink Business Park Old Naas RoadOld Naas Road Dublin 2, Ireland.Dublin 2, Ireland.

Tel: Tel: +353 (0)1 4266500 / 1890 374 374+353 (0)1 4266500 / 1890 374 374 Email: info@downsyndrome.ieEmail: info@downsyndrome.ie WebWebsitesite:: www.downsyndrome.ie www.downsyndrome.ie

ForFor further Information on Supported further Information on Supported Employment in Ireland please Employment in Ireland please

contact:contact: Supported Employment Programs which Supported Employment Programs which

support persons with disabilities in the support persons with disabilities in the workplace operate nationally. workplace operate nationally. 

If you would like details of a service in If you would like details of a service in your area please see the contact; your area please see the contact;

IASE Ltd. (Irish Association of Supported IASE Ltd. (Irish Association of Supported Employment) Muing, Belmullet, Co. Mayo Employment) Muing, Belmullet, Co. Mayo

Tel: 097 82894 Fax: 097 82895 Email: Tel: 097 82894 Fax: 097 82895 Email: info@iase.ieinfo@iase.ie

For Further information on For Further information on this Educational Set for this Educational Set for

Employers:Employers: Please contact:Please contact:

Michael BarrettMichael Barrett

COPE FoundationCOPE Foundation

CorkCork

IrelandIreland

00 353 (0)21 464329100 353 (0)21 4643291

Email: barrettm@cope-foundation.ieEmail: barrettm@cope-foundation.ie