The New Educational Graphics

When you research Down syndrome online, you will come across several images that will catch your eye. They all have the same format: a sketch of a baby with Down syndrome surrounded by manifestations of Down syndrome. The format is not the only thing these images have in common. They all contain at least one piece of outdated, and sometimes incorrect, information, as well as a sketch depicting someone with Down syndrome that is offensive to say the least. Here are some of the images:

These images are some of the first things new parents of children with Down syndrome see when they research Down syndrome. People with Down syndrome see these images- they see the offensive ways they have been depicted, and the outdated and incorrect information. We know that saving Down syndrome begins with education, so we have created our own images in response:

Our images have up to date and accurate information about people with Down syndrome, including a note that not all characteristics listed apply to every person with Down syndrome. Our images also include sketches of real people with Down syndrome. We traced the pictures below in order to make sure we had the most accurate depiction of someone with Down syndrome in our images.

CHARLIE

MIA FRANCESCA

We can all work together to spread our new images through internet- our goal is that people will use our images instead of the others. People with Down syndrome, family members and friends of people with Down syndrome, and people seeking information about Down syndrome all deserve better than what is currently out there.