Being the 21st day of the 3rd month, March 21 was selected to signify the uniqueness of the triplication (trisomy) of the 21st chromosome which causes Down syndrome.

People with Down syndrome have some characteristic physical features, health and development challenges, and some level of intellectual disability – and each of these will vary from one person to another.

Some may go on to live ordinary lives with little assistance, while others will require a lot more support.

This year’s World Down Syndrome Day theme is What I Bring To My Community – celebrating the meaningful contributions that people with Down syndrome make to their communities.

Take Cessnock’s Jason Rasmussen, for example.

Jason, 28, volunteers at Richmond Vale Railway Museum and at Hunter River Community School (and has done since he finished his schooling there 10 years ago).

His roles include gardening, shredding and anything else he can do to help.

Jason also loves sport, physical activity and being social – he does ten pin bowling, lawn bowls and yoga, and is a keen Newcastle Knights and Jets supporter, and attends the Bellbird Country Music Club and karaoke at Peden’s Hotel.

His mum Suzanne says Jason is well-known wherever he goes.

"He's know a regular at the local cafe, not just 'that guy with a disability',” she said.

“Down syndrome is not a negative, it's a disability,” she said.

“Differences should be celebrated.”

Also well-known for his work in the local community is Jason’s best mate, Jordyn Threlfo.

Widely known as ‘Jordy’, the 24-year-old from Sawyers Gully has his own errand business in Cessnock, Kurri Kurri and Maitland.

He has impressed his support workers and clients with his work ethic, and last year won the overall award for excellence at the Cessnock Customer Service Awards.

He is also part of the Chance2Dance dance group that is going to perform at Disneyland in December next year.

“Jordy is doing things we thought he would never do,” his mother Dee said.

Jordyn’s sister Jessika, 21, also has Down syndrome.

She too loves the performing arts, with Wild Learning’s Friday film-making group among her activities.

“There is a world of opportunity for people with Down syndrome,” Dee said.

“But there still needs to be a lot more awareness, so acceptance becomes natural.

“We need to break down barriers so people can see that they do have so much to give.

“We just want them to be accepted.”

According to Down Syndrome Australia, an estimated 13,000 Australians have Down syndrome.

While awareness activities had been observed in many countries since 2006, the first official World Down Syndrome Day was held in 2012, after being declared by the United Nations General Assembly the December before that.