The Down Syndrome Association of Central Oklahoma will celebrate World Down Syndrome Day by asking members of the public to wear a pair of colorful and mismatched socks, as part of the awareness campaign, “Knock Your Socks Off!” DSACO will also hold a kite party at Stars and Stripes Park on Sunday, March 19 from 2 to 4 p.m.. We want to celebrate this day and bring awareness to seeing those with Down syndrome for the person and not the diagnosis. The Skydance bridge will also be lit up in blue and yellow to celebrate the day. DSACO is offering an education resource packet and coloring contest to local schools and individuals who wish to participate the week of March 20-24. Prizes will be awarded to each winner and the deadline is April 1.

As part of the “Knock Your Socks Off” awareness campaign, DSACO is encouraging members of the community to wear colorful socks to show their support for Down syndrome and tag DSACO on social media using the #SOCKS4DSACO. The idea is to bring the community together on this one day to celebrate what we consider to be a day of acceptance and inclusion. People with Down syndrome can bring so much to the community, wherever they live around the world when given the opportunity. As a society, it is up to us to showcase their abilities and create meaningful opportunities for these individuals.

March 21 (3-21) is a symbolic date to celebrate people with Down syndrome and those who live and work with them throughout the world. The date, 3-21 represents Trisomy 21, the medical term for Down syndrome, which is the third replication of the 21st chromosome.

First observed in 2006 by Down Syndrome International, March 21st was officially declared World Down Syndrome Day by the United Nations General Assembly in 2011. Events all around the world happen on this day to raise awareness and create a single global voice for advocating for the rights, inclusion, and well-being of people with Down syndrome.

As part of the celebration around the world, people are encouraged to wear colorful mismatched socks. The sock initiative was formed to get people talking and asking questions about Down Syndrome. The idea is to wear brightly colored, mismatched, long, printed or even layer to wear three socks, one for each chromosome. Why socks, you ask? The longstriped socks resemble chromosomes and who doesn’t love a pair of socks!

At DSACO, we offer a variety of programs and services to support individuals with Down syndrome, from birth into adulthood. We also have community outreach programs that allow us to educate others about Down syndrome, and how to create more inclusive communities.

So, grab a pair of socks and join us as we tell the story to accept, respect and include those with Down syndrome in our communities. #SOCKS4DSACO For more information about the kite party or education resources visit www. dsaco.org/wdsd . To download the coloring sheet for the contest and other education resources visit https:// dsaco.sharefile.com/share/ view/sff323e826b934b7dbb43982e41cc1182/fo97d0a4-bf20-4d05-925640235b55f41b We ask that the winner(s) be selected by April 1 and DSACO will provide the winners with a pair of socks from the organization. To see a list of our current needs, please visit www.dsaco.org and click on “volunteer” or “donate.” Thank you for joining us as we work to create a community where every individual is accepted, respected and included.