World Down Syndrome Day was quietly observed in Costa Rica on March 21^st with a legislative proposal to advance the rights of people who not only live with this condition, but also need to be protected against discrimination in the workplace.

Legislator Elibeth Venegas of the ruling social democrat faction National Liberation (PLN in Spanish) recently introduced a proposal before the National Assembly to:

• Create more academic opportunities
• Guarantee a number of job openings in the public sector
• Promote hiring in the private sector
• Make March 21^st a national day of observance and awareness for this condition

The March 21^st date was chosen to observe this condition due to the trisomy (one more than the normal number of chromosomes in a cell) of the 21^st chromosome. The delay of cognitive and physiological development caused by Down syndrome makes it difficult for people who are born with this condition to live in a Darwinistic world where “survival of the fittest” is the subconscious motto we live by.

The number of Ticos who currently live with Down syndrome is not known by La Caja or the Ministry of Public Health. It is estimated that one out of every 800 births will exhibit this chromosomal condition. Legislator Venegas, who represents the community of Guapiles in the province of Limon, wants every branch of the government in Costa Rica to allocate five percent of its job openings to people affected with Dow syndrome. In an interview with Radio Reloj 94.3 FM, Ms. Venegas explained that:

“We seek an amendment to the current law, number 8862, to allow people with Down syndrome to be able take a test that actually conforms to their unique traits and intellectual capacity so that they can join the workforce. The right to work is a right that should be enjoyed by all people equally. We have made strides in this regard, but we also think we have not done enough to guarantee that Ticos with Down syndrome are not discriminated during the hiring process.”