On Sunday, June 21, Down Syndrome Ireland (DSI) is inviting households, neighbours and communities to join them for Ireland’s biggest street dance and Dance4DSI to help raise vital funds to continue and improve upon their growing online services to support children and adults with Down syndrome and their families throughout Ireland. The COVID-19 crisis has adversely affected all face to face services provided by DSI and as a result, the way in which these services are provided has had to change dramatically.

Dance4DSI will take place at 3pm on June 21, coinciding with the summer solstice. The number 21 also carries a special meaning as Down syndrome occurs when there is one extra copy of chromosome 21 in cells in the body. DSI are encouraging everyone to get involved by donating what they can through downsydrome.ie. Then share photos or video on social media of their family and neighbours dancing in the street to their favourite summer song, using the hashtag #Dance4DSI.

Adrian and Aoife Doherty from Ballina in Co. Mayo whose three-year-old son Louis has Down syndrome, have experienced first-hand the benefits of DSI’s online services. Adrian and Aoife have been learning how to teach Louis Lámh through online Zoom calls with Olive Buckeridge at DSI. Lámh is a manual sign system used by children and adults with intellectual disability and communication needs in Ireland.

For further information about Dance4DSI and the work of Down Syndrome Ireland click here.