My Email Subject

October 2021

Welcome to the latest edition of Down Syndrome Australia's e-news. Read the latest news and updates and find out about our resources, information and advocacy work across Australia.

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.

Down Syndrome Advisory Network

This month our DSAN members have recently been taking part in public speaking training so they can develop their skills to publicly advocate about issues that are important to them and the community.

Also this month it is with sadness we say goodbye to Nick McMahon, one of the founding members of DSAN, who has stepped down from his role.

We want to thank Nick for his significant contribution to the success of DSAN, and wish him the best of luck in his future endeavours.

If you are a self-advocate from South Australia and are interested in joining the Down Syndrome Advisory Network, contact us at dsan@downsyndrome.org.au.

Health Ambassadors

Once again it has been a busy month for the DSA Health Ambassadors and the Inclusive Communication project.

During September we have been spreading the message of Inclusive Communication in health. Amelia presented to hospital staff in rural Victoria and Naomi in WA. Gillian presented to disability service providers in Queensland, and Amelia and Emily delivered a presentation to Occupational Therapy students. Caitlin spoke at the Speak Out conference in Tasmania, and Rohan and Olivia have been busy sitting as advisors to government and university initiatives. All the Ambassadors have been working on their messages to people with Down syndrome about COVID-19 vaccinations.

If you would like one of our 10 Health Ambassadors to come and talk to your organisation about inclusive healthcare, please contact our Health Program Manager at Natalie.Graham@downsyndrome.org.au.

StepUP! in October

October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month and it's time to raise awareness and

celebrate the contributions of people with Down syndrome

StepUP! #21YourWay is a national fundraising and awareness campaign to help raise funds and improve the lives of people with Down syndrome.

Join an event near you

If you can’t make it to an in-person event, you can still join in with #21YourWay. Choose a personal challenge and raise funds for your local Down Syndrome Association.

Start fundraising

Make a donation

Learning about money

The way we teach children about money has changed over the years. Learning about money used to mean focussing on the value and exchange of coins and notes, but now our children also need to learn about managing electronic funds through tools such as EFTPOS and PayWave, as well as skills such as budgeting.

For tips and techniques to help teach your child about money, read our article in the latest issue of Voice.

Read the article

Starting your own business

Are you interested in starting a business? Our latest Easy Read guide is all about working for yourself. You can find out more about:

ways that people can work for themselves
things to think about when you start a business
where to find information and help.

Easy Read guide

You can also find useful business websites and resources on our website.

Business resources

IncludeAbility

The IncludeAbility website has recently been launched and is an initiative of the Australian Human Rights Commission. The Resource Hub provides a wide range of resources for employers and for people with disability who are seeking employment, developing a career, or thinking about self-employment.

Visite IncludeAbility

Down syndrome resources and information

Are you looking for resources and information about Down syndrome? Check out our national Resource Hub where we have the latest up-to-date information available.

Visit our Resource Hub

New Celebrate T21 book

“We dream of a world where no family should feel isolated, unsupported or pressured to terminate based on a Down syndrome diagnosis,”

Stephanie Rodden, founder, Celebrate T21.

A new book is sharing the photos and stories of more than 180 Australians with Down syndrome and their families. More than 2,000 free copies will be distributed to hospitals, medical practitioners, schools, and via Down syndrome Australia and 21 Gifts.

It is also aimed at rewriting the narrative within the medical profession when delivering a diagnosis of Down syndrome.

You can view the book online and lend support by adding your pledge for the month of October.

Visit Celebrate T21

COVID-19 information

DSA Health Ambassador Kimberly Adams shares her tips on getting a COVID-19 vaccine and reassures us about what to expect.

Watch the video

The Australian Government Department of Health has Easy Read resources about the COVID-19 vaccine, looking after your health during the pandemic, and staying safe.

Easy Read resources

You can also visit our COVID-19 web pages to find useful links and resources about Down syndrome and COVID-19.

Visite IncludeAbility

DSA website

Disability Royal Commission

Experiences of people with disability in the COVID-19 vaccine rollout

The Disability Royal Commission has released the draft Commissioners’ Report on the experiences of people with disability in the COVID-19 vaccine rollout. The Report indicates serious concerns about the COVID-19 vaccine strategy and roll-out for people with disability, and acknowledges that people with intellectual disability are at particular risk. It also identifies concerns about plans for easing Covid-19 restrictions before people with a disability can get access to the vaccine.

You can read the draft Commissioner’s Report from Public Hearing 12 here.

Draft Report

To contact the Royal Commission email DRCmedia@royalcommission.gov.au or call 1800 517 199 from 9:00am to 5:00pm AEST Monday to Friday.

Royal Commission website

NDIS updates

Participant Engagement Panel

Down Syndrome Australia has been successful in becoming a nominated provider on the new NDIA Participant Engagement Panel. The 28 suppliers on the Panel will work with the NDIA to co-design, consult and engage with participants on NDIS improvements. We will ensure that people with Down syndrome, and families and carers are included in having a say and improving NDIA policies and services.

You can find more information on the Panel and the providers on the NDIS website.

New NDIS Participant Portal

The NDIA is looking for participants, nominees and child representatives to test and provide feedback on a new NDIS participant portal. Testing the new portal will involve using the new NDIS portal for at least six weeks and providing the NDIA with regular feedback. You can express interest by completing this form.

Research analysis on participant employment

The NDIA has released outcomes and research on employment enablers and barriers for people with disability. The data will inform the way the NDIS can support participants to find and keep meaningful jobs.

The Employment Outcomes analysis identifies opportunities and challenges for people with disability to find and retain work. The NDIA has also released findings from a research analysis as part of a broader employment research project.

A health professional talks to a pregnant woman

Disability Gateway

The Disability Gateway has information and services to help people with disability, their family, friends and carers, to find the support they need in Australia.

The Disability Gateway:

improves the navigation to access relevant information and services
spans multiple sectors including health, housing, employment, transport and everyday living
exists as a central point of entry for referrals to disability information, services and programs.

You can visit the Disability Gateway website, call 1800 643 787, or send an email to disabilitygateway@benevolent.org.au

You can also get information about COVID-19 and disability by calling the Disability Gateway on 1800 643 787 Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm (AEST).

Disability Gateway

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:

Updates to your subscription

We are now distributing our monthly e-news though our secure client database. You are seeing this email because you have previously indicated that you would like to receive updates from Down Syndrome Australia.

If you would like to opt out of the DSA e-news, you can unsubscribe here. You can also email us to let us know you no longer wish to receive our monthly e-news or other communications.

You can reach us at info@downsyndrome.org.au.

Down Syndrome Australia, 18/71 Victoria Crescent, Abbotsford VIC 3067

You are receiving this email because you have previously indicated that you would like to receive updates from Down Syndrome Australia.

Unsubscribe here

or

email us to opt out