Read the latest Down syndrome news and updates and find out about our resources, information and advocacy across Australia.
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December 2022 

 

                                                                                                               




Down Syndrome Resource Hub

 

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.

 

 
Darryl Steff

 

New Down Syndrome Australia CEO

 

 

The Down Syndrome Australia (DSA) Board is pleased to announce Darryl Steff as the incoming CEO for DSA after an extensive and competitive selection process. 

 

Darryl is currently the CEO of Down Syndrome Queensland (DSQ) and has successfully led DSQ during a time of significant change and growth. Under his leadership, DSQ has led the way in Queensland in supporting people with Down syndrome and their families. 

 

Darryl will commence the new role in January 2023.

 

Read more about the appointment here:

 


New CEO

 


 

Two new Health Apps

 

After 18 months of working behind the scenes with parents and people with Down syndrome, DSA is proud to share our two new health apps.

 

Down Syndrome Good Health App

 

 

Scenes from the Down Syndrome Good Health App

 

The Down Syndrome Good Health App supports adults with Down syndrome to keep a diary of their meals, water intake, exercise and daily activities to share with family, support people and healthcare providers.

 

The app encourages regular use and includes mini-games that are unlocked by daily diary entries.

 

The Down Syndrome Good Health App helps to:

 

  • Keep a record of your diet by taking photos of meals
  • Keep a record of your water intake
  • Keep a record of your exercise and physical activities
  • Keep a record of the things you do and how these make you feel.

Download for free only on the App Store here: 

 

Good Health app

 

 

 

Down Syndrome Health Record App

 

 

Scenes from the Down Syndrome Health Record App

 

 

The Down Syndrome Health Record App assists parents and support people of children with Down syndrome to record and monitor their child’s health, growth and development.

 

Down Syndrome Health Record helps parents to:

  • Record information relating to medical diagnoses, allergies, medications, vaccinations, hospital admissions and healthcare providers
  • Monitor weight, length/height and head circumference, as well as developmental milestones
  • Track active symptoms and share information with healthcare providers
  • Record and prepare for healthcare appointments.

Download for free only on the App Store here: 

 

Health Record app

 

 

 
The cover of Voice with a young man in a waistcoat in a rural setting

 

 

Voice

 

The December issue of Voice will be hitting mailboxes this month!

 

This is a special issue of Voice. Under the theme of ‘Our Stories’, all the stories inside are by and about people with Down syndrome on issues that are important like having a job, moving out of home and being in relationships.  

 

Read Voice online here: 

 

Voice

 

 

 
The cover of the Down syndrome Australia Annual Report

 

 

Down Syndrome Australia Annual Report

 

The 2021/2022 Down Syndrome Australia Annual Report features many of the highlights from our work across the year, including our project work with the state and territory organisations and with government departments, and our collaborations with the community.  

 

Read the report here:  

 

Annual Report

 

 

 
Ambassador Charlotte Bailey with Dr Ben Gauntlett

 

Disability Strategy Forum  

 

Health Ambassador Kimberley Adams and Employment Ambassador Charlotte Bailey recently attended the Disability Strategy Forum in Canberra to discuss important issues around the national plan to improve the lives of Australians with disability.

 

Charlotte told Dr Ben Gauntlett, Disability Discrimination Commissioner, all about how she advocates for meaningful work and award wages for people with intellectual disability, and that she addressed the United Nations about this issue on World Down Syndrome Day.

 

 

 
Health Ambassador Alishia Lindsay receives an award

 

Health Ambassador wins Awards  

 

In November, Northern Territory Health Ambassador Alishia Lindsay won both the Excellence in Rights Promotion Award as well as the Overall Award for Excellence at the 2022 Northern Territory Disability Services and Inclusion Awards.

 

Alishia was recognised for her work educating health professionals and students about the importance of inclusive communication, and her work as a Therapy Aid Assistant with Carpentaria Disability Services.

Divider block

 

Congratulations Alishia!

 

 
Claire Mitchell

 

 

ASID Conference 2022 

 

Down Syndrome Australia Board Director Claire Mitchell and National ILC Project Manager Kylie Preston presented at this year’s ASID Conference about how leadership development and inclusive practice benefits us all.

 

Claire shared information about the Down Syndrome Advisory Network and talked about her work as a DSA Board member and her trip to COSP15 in New York.

 

 

 
Health Ambassadors present to the University of the Sunshine Coast

 

 

Inclusive Health on the Sunshine Coast 

 

Health Ambassadors Naomi, Gillian and Caitlin presented to over 650 first year nursing students from University of the Sunshine Coast last month about why inclusive communication is so important.

 

Read more about the work the DSA Health Ambassadors do here:  

 

Our work

 

 

 
Rachel Freeman presents at the Speak Out Conference

 

Speak Out Tasmania

 

 

Employment Ambassador Rachel Freeman gave a presentation at the Speak Out Conference in Tasmania in November about how having a meaningful job helps her to build skills and be more independent. 

 

Well done on sharing this important message, Rachel. 

 

To have one of our Employment Ambassadors talk with your organisation about the benefits of hiring a person with Down syndrome, contact DSA on employment@downsyndrome.org.au.

 

 

 

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

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


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