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Down Syndrome Awareness Month Down Syndrome Awareness Month

By Lindsay Arons

JOHN: “When I was a baby I was diagnosed with something called Down syndrome, which means that I am missing the 21st chromosome”

REPORTER:”October is Down Syndrome awareness month. What many people don’t know is that some Syracuse university students have Down syndrome and other disabilities, but can still have the college experience through programs such as InclusiveU”

JOHN: “Before coming to school, I didn’t think a kid with disabilities like me could have an opportunity to change their lives, I mean I’m on my own”

REPORTER:”While gaining independence, students in the program are never truly alone when surrounded by their community around them.”

JOHN: “My friends in inclusiveU, we always do meals together, we always hangout together, we always lounge in the lobby, fool around you know”

REPORTER: “I’m Lindsay Arons here at Haven Hall where the majority of inclusiveU students are housed. I’m actually a residential mentor in the program, which means that I get to see first hand how the students don’t let their disabilities hold them back.”

JOHN: “Down syndrome…it should be up syndrome, you know. I wanna pick myself up. And if I need help along the way I got the best people, I got the best community.”

ANNALIESE:“I’ll go host dinner, do office hours, help them with just tasks that might be a little hard. But it’s a really rewarding job.”

REPORTER “It is truly rewarding for me to share the college experience with these special members of our community and bring awareness to inclusiveU. I’m Lindsay Arons, NCC News”

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC NEWS) – Down syndrome is a condition in which a person has extra genetic material from the 21st chromosome, causing an intellectual disability as well as developmental delays. October is Down Syndrome Awareness month.

While having a disability can pose challenges, it does not always hold people back from living a complete life. This is especially true for Syracuse University students in the InclusiveU program. 

InclusiveU was created by the Lawrence B. Taishoff Center for Inclusive Higher Education at Syracuse University. According to the Taishoff Center’s website, “InclusiveU offers real opportunities for our students to participate in every aspect of campus life.”

Students in the program get real college experience, having the opportunity to take classes and participate in clubs with their neurotypical peers. 

“Before coming to school, I didn’t think a kid with disabilities like me could have an opportunity to change their life,” said InclusiveU sophomore John Rorro. 

Rorro exemplifies inclusivity among students in the program, as he is heavily involved on campus. Rorro is a leader within his community, he is a peer trainer, serves on the board of the Special Olympics club, and even works with the Syracuse Football team. 

“Down Syndrome…it should be Up Syndrome,” Rorro said. “I wanna pick myself up, and if I need help along the way I have the best people, I have the best community.”

The InclusiveU community consists of its students, professional staff, Student Support Assistants, and Residential Mentors. Residential Mentors spend their time helping InclusiveU students in various aspects of life.

“I’ll go host dinner, do office hours, help them with just tasks that might be a little hard. It’s a really rewarding job,” Annaliese Pillitteri, a Residential Mentor, said. 

Syracuse University fosters inclusivity on its campus through InclusiveU. Syracuse was ranked the number one school for students with Autism in 2017 by College Choice.Net. InclusiveU offers a true college experience to students with disabilities all year round. During Down Syndrome Awareness month, the program deserves recognition. 

 

 

 

 

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