There is no national data on individuals with Down syndrome as an independent category in the workforce, so there is on true certainty on the employment rates across the country. A 2015 survey conducted by the National Center on Health, Physical Activity and Disability (NCHPAD) reported that 57% of individuals with Down syndrome were employed at either a part-time or full-time salary. 26% of individuals with Down syndrome volunteer. 

Data on employment and Down syndrome

Individuals with Down syndrome generally work in a rather limited field. Common jobs for individuals with Down syndrome include food/restaurant services, product assembly, janitorial work, gardening and landscaping, or office mail delivery. These occupations tend to be more compatible with the characteristics and functions of individuals with Down syndrome. 

Typical jobs 

Employment can have many positive impacts on individuals with Down syndrome, including higher independence and confidence, increased opportunities for social interaction, and sense of inclusion. These benefits can all contribute to higher quality of life. 

Impact on individuals with Down syndrome

Employment is an integral societal role, yet individuals with Down syndrome often face discrimination in the professional world due to misconceptions about their disability. Despite these challenges, individuals with Down syndrome are fully capable of holding employment, and legal frameworks like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in the United States have helped expand their professional opportunities.

University of Virginia, Charlottesville

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Individuals with disabilities and their families and caretakers often identify with the umbrella term of the “Down syndrome community.” To understand this disability, it is important to understand the cultural and social characteristics of the community. We can understand the community by considering how the Down syndrome community prefers to be communicated with, the employment and education trends, disparities in outcomes, how individuals with Down syndrome see themselves and each other, and the experiences of caretakers. 

Culture of Down syndrome

It is important to be informed on the appropriate language when referring to or speaking to people with Down syndrome in order to be respectful and inclusive. The Down syndrome community and NDSS express the preferences in Down syndrome language and communication in the following ways: 

- Down vs. Down's syndrome
- person-first language

Preferred Language of Down Syndrome

Employment and Down syndrome

Sociocultural, geographical, and traditional factors constitute different general practices of caring for and accepting individuals with Down syndrome in different parts of the world and in different cultures within a region. Some identifications of culture include religion, ethnicity, socioeconomic background, and geographical region. These identities cultivate ways of thinking that influence how individuals with Down syndrome receive care and are socially accepted. 

Cultural differences in acceptance and care of Down syndrome

Individuals with Down syndrome are subject to broader U.S. legislation protecting rights for individuals with disabilities, such as the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Fourteenth Amendment, and more. There are more specific policies and forms of legislation particularly protecting individuals with Down syndrome and chromosomal defects. 

Legislation for Down syndrome

While the occurrence of Down syndrome is not associated with race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, or geographic location, the health outcomes and lived experiences of individuals with Down syndrome and their caretakers exhibit significant disparities among marginalized racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups.

Disparities in Down Syndrome Outcomes

The developmental delays associated with Down syndrome often contribute to varying degrees of intellectual impairment. Specifically, delays in speech and motor skills can impact the pace at which individuals learn, making specialized education programs highly beneficial for accommodating their unique learning requirements.

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