Latest news from Down Syndrome Australia

October 2022

Down Syndrome Australia is the national peak organisation for people with Down syndrome and their families. We work closely with the State and Territory Down syndrome associations to provide advocacy, support, and information.

Please get in touch if you have any feedback you would like to share with us. You can reach us at info@downsyndrome.org.au.

DSA to recruit new CEO

DSA is sad to announce the resignation of our CEO Dr Ellen Skladzien, which will take effect from early in the new year.

The DSA Board thanks Ellen for her excellent leadership and commitment to DSA over the last six years and for providing an extended notice period to ensure a smooth transition.

Recruitment has commenced for this role. See the full job description here:

Ethical Jobs

Churchill Fellowship

Down Syndrome Australia Health Program Manager Natalie Graham has been successful in her application for a Churchill Fellowship.

In 2023 Natalie will be investigating programs in Europe and North America that empower people with intellectual disability to improve health outcomes.

Natalie works with our team of 10 national Health Ambassadors to educate healthcare professionals about how to include people with Down syndrome in conversations about their own health.

Work Readiness Program

Are you a person with Down syndrome who would like to learn the skills needed to get and keep a job?

Join our free online Work Readiness Program during October.

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You will learn:

How to make a resume
How to do a job interview
How to dress for work
How to behave in the workplace.

Register here:

Register

The Australian Nurses and Midwives Conference

In September Health Ambassador Naomi presented virtually at The Australian Nurses and Midwives Conference to hundreds of healthcare professionals about the importance of inclusive communication and improving health outcomes for people with Down syndrome and intellectual disability.

229 nurses attended the event, with many sharing positive feedback about the session:

“Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience with us today and shining a light in the gap in our professional education. Your session challenges us to apply a reflective lens to our practice and strive to collectively do better.”

NDIS Home and Living design group

Down Syndrome Australia recently joined the NDIA core-design group to test and explore new approaches to the new home and living policy. This new policy aims to increase participant choice and control over where they live, who they live with and their supports.

As part of the NDIS Home and Living design group, we have been working with people with Down syndrome to learn how this policy will affect them. Ben Paior from Adelaide shared with us: “I need to live independently.”

QLD prenatal screening website

A new website from Down Syndrome Queensland and Queensland Health enables prospective parents to make informed choices about screening, diagnostic testing and continuing or terminating a pregnancy.

The website also provides evidence-based information supporting health care professionals to enable prospective parents to make informed decisions about prenatal screening for aneuploidy and, where relevant, the future of their pregnancy.

See the new website here:

Prenatal Screening

StepUP! For Down Syndrome Awareness Month

StepUP! #21YourWay is a national fundraising and awareness campaign held in Down Syndrome Awareness Month every October. It celebrates the significant contributions people with Down syndrome make to our communities.

See the StepUP! events being held across the country here:

StepUP!

Operations Manager

Down Syndrome Australia is currently looking for an experienced Operations Manager who will have responsibility for the oversight and co-ordination of the budgeting, forecasting and financial reporting, contract management, as well as managing the outsourced finance function (payroll, general ledger accounts receivable and payable).

Apply here:

Ethical Jobs

Dementia care and intellectual disability

Dementia Care for People with Intellectual Disability

3DN has launched a new course called “Dementia Care for People with Intellectual Disability” for health professionals.

The course is to enhance the knowledge and skills of health professionals, relating to dementia and people with intellectual disability.

There are two modules in this course, which cost $60 to access. The course can be accessed at:

Dementia course

Research opportunity

Monash University is looking for adolescents who have an intellectual disability and depression to take part in a new research study about a treatment for depression. To find out more contact Dr Lauren Cameron at beatd@monash.edu.

Stay connected

Down Syndrome Australia is active on social media and regularly shares the latest news on advocacy issues, new resources and information. We also celebrate our national community through sharing stories about people with Down syndrome and their families.

You can follow us on:

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Down Syndrome Australia, 552 Victoria Street, North Melbourne, VIC, 3051

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