Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Ireland launches modeling agency specifically representing people with Down syndrome

From RTE in Ireland:

The world's first model agency representing people with Down's Syndrome has been launched in Dublin this lunchtime.

The launch of 'I'm Able 2 Model' coincides with World Down Syndrome Day, when organisations worldwide promote awareness of the intellectual disability.

People of different ages - including children, teenagers and adults - have been selected to join the agency, which will be managed as a wing of 1st Option Model Management.

Working opportunities are anticipated in photocalls, advertising, catalogues and catwalk shows.

Models will receive the same fee for appearances as any other model.

A website has been created to showcase the 20 people chosen to be part of the agency at imable2model.com.

Ireland has one of the highest birth rates of people with Down's Syndrome in Europe - approximately 1 in 500 births, as opposed to 1 in 1,000 in countries such as the US, Spain and Norway.