Albany author and advocate Naomi Lake to speak at the UN for World Down Syndrome Day in New York

Albany author, advocate and performer Naomi Lake is jet-setting off to the United States to speak at the United Nations for World Down Syndrome Day. Ms Lake is passionate about speaking on health equality for people of all abilities and says rights for people with disabilities do not mean fewer rights for other people in the community. The Down Syndrome International network will host the 13th World Down Syndrome Day Conference at the UN headquarters in New York on March 21 and 22. Down Syndrome occurs when a person has an extra partial or whole chromosome 21. Ms Lake was invited by DSI to apply after submitting an abstract to speak on health equity in New York. “I got invited after putting the abstract in and was successful and it turned out I’m going to New York City,” Ms Lake said. “I’m mostly talking about health equity for people with disabilities and their healthcare. “It’s going to be a long day for me, but I’m looking forward to putting my message across.” Ms Lake hopes to use her speech at the UN to call for action to make health equal for people of all abilities. She is excited to be going to the USA and plans to take in the sights of The Big Apple with visits to the Statue of Liberty and the American Museum of Natural History on the cards. Ms Lake previously represented WA for World Down Syndrome Day in 2021 in Canberra when she helped launch Down Syndrome Australia’s Inclusive Communications Health Ambassador Program.