DECADE

Key Note Speaker: Madison Tevlin

Vendors

Photo Exhibit

Film Screening

Decade, the 10th installment of a groundbreaking collaboration between photographer Hilary Gauld and the Waterloo Wellington Down Syndrome Society (WWDSS), celebrates a decade of challenging stereotypes and advocating for authentic representation of individuals with Down syndrome. Breaking down stereotypes, one photo at a time, Decade commemorates 10 years of impactful advocacy through image-based storytelling.

The 10th-anniversary photo series, Decade, along with a documentary film, is set to be released at an in-person event on October 27th, 2024, coinciding with Down Syndrome Awareness Month in the US and Down Syndrome Awareness Week in Canada. This year's photo series, featuring 62 individuals with Down syndrome aged 1 to 36 years old, underscores the profound impact of Gauld and WWDSS's work in closing the gap of authentic representation of the Down syndrome community.

To further amplify their message and celebrate these past 10 years of advocacy, Gauld and WWDSS have commissioned a documentary film, also entitled Decade, produced by Digital Sabbath Film Company with funding from over a dozen community and corporate sponsors. This short documentary will centre three families across three different generations, as well as the journey of Gauld and WWDSS over the past ten years, reflecting on the evolving landscape of mainstream media representation and the growing visibility of individuals with Down syndrome.

You can follow the series at:

https://www.instagram.com/wwdss_wwdss/

https://www.instagram.com/oneforthewall/

About the Waterloo Wellington Down Syndrome Society:

The Waterloo Wellington Down Syndrome Society (formerly the Waterloo Regional Down Syndrome Society) is a charitable, non-profit organization created in 1988 by parents of children with Down syndrome. Entirely run by volunteers, every dollar raised goes towards helping fund the various programs and services provided to individuals with Down syndrome and their families. The Waterloo Wellington Down Syndrome Society supports and informs individuals, families, and the community on issues related to Down syndrome. They advocate for persons with Down syndrome to lead healthy and active lives, enabling them to contribute their unique gifts to our community.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Federation Hall, Federation Hall, Waterloo, Canada