SCA students worked alongside students with disabilities last Wednesday to  make tie dye socks to sell during lunches in the week of March 12-6.

The purpose? World Down Syndrome Day is on Wednesday, March 21. The specific date was chosen as it is the third chromosome that makes 21 chromosomes, ultimately causing disability to occur.

Global awareness regarding Down syndrome and its cause began with the United Nations and included countries such as Indie and Iran; its goal was to educate people about the disability itself. Now groups from around the world collaborate and organizing events that range from races to tie dying socks in effort to bring more awareness to Down syndrome.

Teacher Cheryl Taylor runs the school’s Coffee Shop that teaches students with disabilities real world life skills, as well as the Beach Buddies Club in which these same students are paired with general education students to complete activities and community’s service.

“Selling the socks showcases their disabilities, so it makes them aware they have a disability and that other people are aware of it and are celebrating it rather than going against it. Also, other people are coming to them and talking about what it means to have a disability and also they collaborate with the general education students so that gives them the ability to communicate and make friends,” Taylor said.