Community members from Diffabilities YEG take part in an event for World Down Syndrome Day on March 21, 2025. (Galen McDougall/CTV News Edmonton)
An Edmonton-based organization, Diffabilities YEG, hosted a special event on Friday to mark World Down Syndrome Day. The event aimed to raise awareness, break social stigmas, and celebrate the talents and independence of people with disabilities.
A Day of Fun and Learning
The celebration featured interactive activities, tours, and information sessions. Visitors got hands-on with T-shirt printing, Play-Doh making, and other creative activities. It was an opportunity for the community to learn, engage, and support individuals with developmental disabilities.
Sarah Dewhurst, founder and CEO of Diffabilities YEG, emphasized the importance of events like this.
"We work to break social stigma and show the community just how many skills and talents our friends with disabilities have," she said.
Showcasing Independence
One of the event’s highlights was a marketplace featuring handmade products created by members of Diffabilities’ adult program. These items, regularly sold at local markets, demonstrate the creativity and entrepreneurship of program participants.
"People often ask me, ‘Did they really make all this?’ And I say, ‘Don’t ask me—ask them. This is their business, their products. They’re the ones in charge,’" Dewhurst shared.
She stressed the importance of shifting perceptions and recognizing the independence of people with disabilities.
Supporting the Cause
Diffabilities members will be selling their products at the Hazeldean Market on Saturday and Sunday. Shoppers can also find their handmade goods on the organization’s official website.
Proceeds from sales go directly back into Diffabilities' programming, funding social outings, restaurant visits, concerts, and community events.
Dewhurst even hinted at an exciting future plan.
"One of our friends is trying to convince us to take a group trip to Jamaica—so you might just find us across the ocean soon!" she joked.
By hosting events like this, Diffabilities YEG continues to empower individuals, promote inclusivity, and change societal perceptions—one celebration at a time.
