The following news was distributed by Disability Scoop:

Girl With Down Syndrome Lands Modeling Deal By Shaun Heasley, November 28, 2011

At a mere 14-months-old, Taya Kennedy is poised to take the modeling world by storm. And it just so happens that she has Down syndrome.

The toddler was one of 50 kids recently selected out of 2,000 who applied to the sought-after Urban Angels modeling agency in London, which represents kids who model for Stella McCartney, H&M and other big names.

Kennedy is already slated to appear in advertising for Early Learning Centre — a toy store — and the children’s clothing shop, Mothercare, both of which have locations around the globe.

Officials at the modeling agency say they chose Kennedy because she’s an “incredibly photogenic, warm and smiley child.” They say her disability played no role in whether or not she was selected.

“That she has Down’s syndrome did not enter the equation. We chose her because of her vibrancy and sense of fun,” the owner of the agency told the (London) Daily Mail.

“That she has Down’s syndrome did not enter the equation.”

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Now that’s what I’m talking about! — Jane Schulz

Lauren Potter, who plays cheerleader Becky Jackson on Fox's "Glee," has been appointed to serve on the President's Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities. (Michael Yarish/FOX)

Adults with Down syndrome are speaking up for their rights and participating in events related to their interests and needs. As reported on Disability Scoop, a recent opportunity has been presented by President Obama for a young actress, Lauren Potter, to serve on the President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities.
Lauren, who has Down syndrome, portrays a cheerleader on the award winning TV show “Glee.” The committee Lauren will join consists of 21 citizens and 13 federal representatives who are charged with advising the president and the secretary of health and human services on issues pertaining to Americans with intellectual disabilities. Her recognition on “Glee” led Lauren to become involved nationally as a self-advocate, speaking out against use of the word “retard” and the bullying of people with disabilities.
Lauren is pictured with Jane Lynch, who portrays the cynical physical education teacher on “Glee.” Ms. Lynch is the sister of a young woman with Down syndrome who died recently. This event was poignantly portrayed on an episode of the program. (A discussion of this episode appears on my blog entitled “Life Expectancy”.)

Television has the potential and opportunity to promote awareness of and respect for persons with disabilities. We celebrate the enlightenment that “Glee” has advanced.

In addition to National Down Syndrome Awareness Month, October is also National Disability Employment Awareness Month. How appropriate that they occur in the same month!

In the last few years, we have seen many adults with Down syndrome in the workplace. Billy is one of them; he has worked at Food City in Kingsport for over 10 years. He was originally hired by Ed Moore, who has been a manager at the grocery chain for over fifty years. His philosophy is one that might be adopted by all employers.

Click on the image to see the Grown Man Now Interview Series; “Current Employment” is the name of this interview with Mr. Moore.

Interview with Mr. Ed Moore, Food City Manager

We also see adults with other disabilities in a number of work situations. Employers have found that many people formerly considered unemployable can be valuable members of the work force if they are trained properly and given the opportunity. Our president emphasizes their value to our nation in declaring October  National Disability Employment Awareness Month.

Utilizing the talents of all Americans is essential for our Nation to out-innovate, out-educate, and out-build the rest of the world. During National Disability Employment Awareness Month, we recognize the skills that people with disabilities bring to our workforce, and we rededicate ourselves to improving employment opportunities in both the public and private sectors for those living with disabilities…

— Barack Obama, President of the United States of America

Are you aware of the many adults with disabilities at work in your community?

Since October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month, it seems a good time to look at what it means to have Down syndrome. First of all, what does the name mean? Langdon Down was a physician who first identified characteristics of people previously called Mongoloid, due to the slanted eyes seen in natives of Mongolia. Down is capitalized because it is a proper noun; syndrome is not because it is a list of identifying characteristics seen in a particular population.

Because of the similarity of physical characteristics, it is frequently assumed that children and adults with Down syndrome are always alike in other ways. The truth is that they may be quite different in personality, temperament and intelligence. The video displayed is a good way to look at these individual differences.

Ten Things People with Down Syndrome Would Like You to Know

My son Billy, for example, was raised in a family with three other children, a father of German descent, raised in the mid-west, and a mother of English-Scotch-Irish descent, raised in the south. He has characteristics of both parents and a personality of his own. If you have questions about Down syndrome or Billy, I will be happy to answer them. If you have specific questions about the causes and demographics of Down syndrome, you can Google Down syndrome and find numerous sources.

I welcome your questions and comments.

I got a problem. Every mornin me an my mom watch Regis an Kelly an have our coffee. I like it when Regis an Kelly tease each other and make jokes. I like the guest stars an movie clips. Me and my mom laugh a lot an drink our coffee. It’s fun.

Two weeks ago I bring Mom her coffee with cream in it. I turn on channel 11. No Regis an Kelly. You not believe what is on – DR. PHIL! I can’t stand Dr. Phil!

My mom call channel 11 and they say Regis gonna be retarred and they not new the show. Mom watch the news but the news is no fun! We go to the internet and see Regis and Kelly on a video but not the whole show.

We look everywhere for a good show with our coffee. Just dumb stuff.

I need help!  What you watch with your coffee?