Social Responsibility

Equity, Diversity + Inclusion 

The Down Syndrome Resource Foundation is committed to the principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion. We respect where each individual is at on their own EDI journey, and we are collectively taking steps to grow in the direction of greater acceptance, inclusion, and thought diversity. We are being supported in these efforts by Inclusive Excellence Strategy Solutions.

As a reflection of this commitment, DSRF has taken the following steps:

• offering services in multiple languages
• offering live interpretation of important meetings with families for whom English is not their first language
• providing translations of some key organizational surveys in languages commonly spoken by our families
• launching a parent support group for Latin-American families
• launching GASE (Gender and Sexuality for Everyone): a free support group for 2SLGBTQIA+ teens and adults with Down syndrome

With regards to hiring, to be a diverse and inclusive workplace that is representative (at all levels) of the people we serve, DSRF welcomes and encourages applications from anyone who identifies as Indigenous, BIPOC, LGBTQ2S+, a member of a visible minority population, and persons with disabilities. If you are a member of any of these groups and wish to contribute to furthering DSRF’s mission, we encourage you to self-identify in your application, cover letter and/or resume, should you feel comfortable disclosing this information. We acknowledge and accommodate unique differences and ensure special measures are in place so that all prospective and current employees have opportunities to be successful.

Truth + Reconciliation

The Down Syndrome Resource Foundation is located on the shared unceded territory of the Coast Salish Peoples, specifically the hən̓ q ̓əmin̓ əm and the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh speaking peoples. Without their long history of stewardship and continued care of this land we could not provide a safe space for families and individuals with Down syndrome to learn and develop new skills.

DSRF is committed to the principles of truth and reconciliation, and to taking steps in response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action. Indigenous people with Down syndrome have been historically underserved, and we will endeavour to address this inequity to ensure that these individuals and families receive the support they need to flourish.

We appreciate this Indigenous perspective on disability from Dr. Rheanna Robinson:

“In many Indigenous languages, there [is not a word that exists] for ‘disability.’ People were given attributes and gifts of difference, and those gifts of difference were just that — a way that other people, able-bodied people, were unable to experience the world. And it was, and still is, a space that Indigenous communities hold in a position of high regard and move away from a deficit-oriented perspective of disabled peoples.” 

As a reflection of this commitment, in 2022 DSRF undertook an organizational rebranding effort. DSRF’s former logo, which featured a burgundy handprint, bore a strong resemblance to the red handprint that had over time become symbolic of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIW) movement. “A red hand over the mouth… stands for all the missing sisters whose voices are not heard. It stands for the silence of the media and law enforcement in the midst of this crisis. It stands for the oppression and subjugation of Native women who are now rising up to say #NoMoreStolenSisters.” DSRF’s decision to rebrand was made in recognition and support of this important cause.

Sustainability

The Down Syndrome Resource Foundation is committed to sustainability and disability justice, and to creating a safe and healthy environment in which people with Down syndrome can live and thrive.

As a reflection of this commitment, DSRF has recently taken the following steps to improve our organizational sustainability:

• switched to biodegradable, carbon-neutral Sugar Sheet Copy Paper for internal printing
• switched to 100% recycled paper for external printing, including 3.21 Magazine
• implemented new printing standards to reduce paper usage
• implemented soft plastics recycling, in addition to our existing recycling of hard plastics and containers, paper, and organics
• implemented a new Sustainable Purchasing Policy
• incentivized energy savings amongst our staff team
• facilitated and encouraged remote work arrangements where possible to reduce staff commuting
• encouraged Run Up for Down Syndrome participants to reuse t-shirts from previous years, resulting in a reduction of 500 t-shirts in our first year
• introduced our first ever Sustainability Ambassador, Nika Zondag

In the coming years we will continue to take steps to lighten our impact on the planet that sustains us all.