On September 6, 2025, 22-year-old Amanda Disilva, a young woman of Indian origin, who was born in Dubai and grew up, will be depicted on the prestigious Times Square Screen in New York City. Choose from over 2,600 entries worldwide, Amanda’s photo would be part of a powerful visual campaign by the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS), which highlights the inclusion and representation on one of the world’s most visible stages.
Spotlight on Amanda on Times Square
Amanda Dasilva, who has Down syndrome, has more than 500 individuals, whose photos will be aired in the NDSS Times Square Video Presentation, a historical event that celebrates the lives, stories and appearance of people with Down syndrome around the world.This year’s presentation will be held on Saturday, September 6, 2025 from 9:30 am to 10:30 pm, and the Dosi Dafe Square in Times Square in New York will be shown on two large jambotron screens located above the Dos Caminos Restaurant at Father Dafi Square. The event will be vibrant globally through the NDSS Facebook page, which will witness festive in real time to friends, families and supporters from all over the world. For the audience in the United Arab Emirates, the presentation will be available for UAE time from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm.Amanda’s image was selected from a pool of more than 2,600 photos of the families around the world. The final presentation includes more than 500 selected photos representing individuals from all 50 American states and 11 countries, making the event a powerful view symbol of global inclusion.This phenomenon is made possible through the support of clerachannel outdoor, which provides screen space for this awareness drive.
From Dubai class to global spotlight
Amanda was born in Dubai and originally in a family in Mangaluru and Mumbai. She is the youngest of two daughters. Her 26 -year -old elder sister, who currently lives in Canada, is flying to New York to join the family for this particular occasion.Amanda studied in a mainstream school under the Ratna Shiksha Group, showing her upbringing in an inclusive educational environment. After graduation, he pursued a professional route that reflects both freedom and passion: Amanda now works full -time as a hostess at a French restaurant inside the Sofitail Downtown Hotel in Dubai. With his hospitality career, he has also carved a place for himself as a freelance model, which participates in a photoshoot celebrating diversity and inclusion.
Power and purpose behind NDSS campaign
The Times Square Video Presentation is more than just one celebration, it also serves as the opening ceremony of New York City Buddy Walk, a major initiative by NDSS. Established in 1995, The Buddy Walk is the world’s major down syndrome awareness and money raising program, which aims to promote acceptance, advocacy and inclusion. Today, more than 150 large walk events are held annually in the United States and at selected international locations.A tradition launched by NDSS at this year’s Times Square Event continues, which to keep individuals with Down syndrome front and center on one of the world’s most recognizable platforms, not only to raise awareness, but also to create real pace for social inclusion. According to a statement by the NDSS, “Amanda’s picture is contagious, a smile and your heart feels light,” Capture the emotional resonance and distribute the campaign.Established in 1979, the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) is a major human rights organization for individuals with Down syndrome in the US through nationwide programs, advocacy work and public education, NDS works in areas such as education, employment, health and welfare, building future where inclusion is not an exception, but ideal.
