APATRIS 21 - Associação de Portadores de Trissomia 21 do Algarve

APATRIS 21, the Associação de Portadores de Trissomia 21 do Algarve, was created by a group of parents and education professionals to respond to the lack of information and support available to families of people with Down syndrome (Trisomy 21) in the Algarve. The association was formally constituted by public deed in March 2000, and has held the status of Instituição Particular de Solidariedade Social (private social solidarity institution) and Person of Public Utility since January 2004. It is based in Faro. Its work centres on the full inclusion of people with Trisomy 21 and other cognitive disabilities, through psychological support, training for educators, inclusion activities, awareness campaigns and guidance for families, with the long-term aim of personal fulfilment, autonomy and social integration for the people it supports. People can support APATRIS 21 by becoming a member, volunteering, or donating by bank transfer or cheque; in Portugal, taxpayers can also assign 0.5% of their IRS income tax to the association at no extra cost, using its NIPC (tax number) in the yearly tax return.