Aragon will drive a material pioneered the training of professionals and relatives of people with Down syndrome. The project – whose result has been captured on a DVD, a CD and a book – has been presented today by the Manager of the Aragonese Institute of social services (IASS), Juan Carlos Castro; the Coordinator of the Centre of early intervention of the Foundation Down Zaragoza, Pilar Villarrocha, and responsible for external relations of Master D Zaragoza, Manuel Fandos. It is an initiative promoted by the IASS, the Foundation Down Zaragoza and the company Master D which also involved entities, Italian, Greek and Romanian. Innovative and accessible character, is a promotional material which is intended as a complement of activity which professionals of specialized centres perform, not as a substitute for this work, as well as a useful tool for families. The final objective is none other that improve the quality of life of this group and achieve high levels of autonomy. This tool that has been developed in the framework of a Leonardo European programme with a transnational character – consists of a DVD aimed at relatives of people with Down syndrome, so you can help them to stimulate them and educate them during its development, which considers the child as a whole, taking into account aspects intrapersonal, biological, psychological and educational, each individual’s own. The DVD is complemented with a CD that collects web pages and most noteworthy, both European and international contacts and a book which outlines specific resources adapted to each country.

In fact, emphasis is on the impact that can have between the Down national, regional and international community, since the tool is translated into five languages (English, Spanish, Romanian, Italian and Greek). Similarly it has subtitled in all languages throughout the DVD, it is therefore a fully accessible material. The creation of this tool currently assumes an innovation with respect to existing materials by two issues fundamental. Firstly, because it is a tour through all the stages of life and in all areas in a document. On the other hand, by the type of material, primarily visual, which will allow to reach all types of families, regardless of their socio-cultural level. The proximity of the message, with various testimonies of professionals, families and people with Down syndrome is also important.