Emanuela ZAIMI

The Down Syndrome Albania Foundation (DSA) is a non-profit organization established in September 2013 by parents of a child with Down syndrome. They recognized a pressing need in the country: a lack of advocacy for the rights and needs of persons with disabilities (PwD), along with a notable absence of high-quality, affordable services.

Currently, the Foundation serves yearly to around 70 children of 0-16 years old with disabilities mainly to those in the Austism Spectrum Disorder and with Down Syndrome.

Our Vision

A healthy, independent, and inclusive life for persons with disabilities in Albania

Our mission

Support the full development of persons with disabilities in Albania.  Promote and protect their rights based on human rights values and the principles of non-discrimination, individual dignity, acceptance, and inclusion by raising awareness, advocating, and working with professionalism ethically and transparently.

In June 2014, DSA's service center opened its doors, thanks to a combination of fundraising events and contributions from the business sector. As time progressed, the DSA team refined their expertise in project and grant proposal writing, successfully obtaining funding for various initiatives, including for specialized therapeutic service provision, advocacy and awareness campaigns, and capacity-building programs for professionals in the education and social care service sectors.

i.            Support to persons with disabilities,  provides a range of services, including -through its “Service Center for CwD” comprehensive child development assessments, physical therapy, ABA therapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, hydro therapy (in summer months) and group therapy for children with disabilities up to 16 years old (project-based). They also support parents through individual counseling and group sessions and offer various training programs on child development, advocacy, and disability rights issues. When necessary, DSA provides legal assistance to parents if their children's rights are violated or if they experience institutional discrimination.

ii.            DSA is actively engaged in capacity-building initiatives, with a primary focus on enhancing inclusive education. This involves concentrated efforts in providing project-based training for teachers to bolster their skills and knowledge. We create specific guidebooks for teachers based on best practices. As part of its mission, DSA raises awareness and disseminates information about Down syndrome and other disabilities among professionals, parents, and stakeholders, including media and public opinion. We have launched various awareness and advocacy campaigns and produced numerous guidelines including international guidelines into Albanian language from Global Down Syndrome Foundation (USA), International Down Syndrome (UK), Eurlyaid (Luxembourg), EASPD (Brussels).

iii.            DSA has substantial experience in advocating and lobbying for disability rights. We voice our concerns annually regarding budgets and disability rights at parliamentary commission sessions. We also, actively participate in various coalitions to advocate for and recommend changes to protect disability rights and have also been involved in preparing alternative shadow reports on the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) and national laws in Albania. These reports are submitted to the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, a body of independent experts monitoring the Convention's implementation by States Parties. Currently, DSA is collaborating with other organizations on the next shadow report.