Latest news from Down Syndrome Australia

November 2022

Welcome to Down Syndrome Australia's November newsletter. This month we give a wrap up of everything our team has been working on throughout Down Syndrome Awareness Month.

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.

HESTA Awards finalists

Down Syndrome Australia is proud to share that our Health Ambassadors are finalists in the 2022 HESTA Excellence Awards.

The Health Ambassadors have been recognised for their tireless efforts to inform and educate healthcare professionals and students on how to include people with Down syndrome and intellectual disability in their own healthcare decisions.

Congratulations to the Health Ambassadors and all other finalists.

Speak Out Conference

Employment Ambassador Rachel Freeman has been working with Kylie from DSA on preparing their speech for the 2022 Speak Out Conference.

This year's theme is 'Looking Forward, Looking Back - Celebrating 40 years of self-advocacy and advocacy', and Rachel will be talking about how having a meaningful job impacts her life in a positive way.

Speak Out 2022 runs from November 2 – 3. See more here:

Speak Out

Inclusive communication in Launceston

For Down Syndrome Awareness Month, our Health Ambassador Caitlin Woolley presented to Department of Health, Tasmania about her lived experience of Down syndrome and how people with Down syndrome have the right to be treated the same as everyone else.

Caitlin told the health professionals: "I do not suffer from Down syndrome; it is just a part of who I am."

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To have one of our Health Ambassadors talk to your organisation contact Health Program Manager Natalie Graham at natalie.graham@downsyndrome.org.au

StepUP! South Australia

The wet weather didn't dampen anyone having fun at our StepUP! day in Adelaide in October.

Dozens of families attended and shared with us how much they enjoyed catching up with other community members.

Thank you to all the volunteers who made it a special day for everyone involved. We can’t wait to catch up again next year.

Australian self-advocates meet NDSS

October is celebrated as Down Syndrome Awareness Month across the world, and as part of on our ongoing celebrations, we co-hosted a self-advocate meet and greet with our friends at National Down Syndrome Society.

We are so excited to continue these partnerships with Down syndrome organisations and self-advocates globally to advocate for our shared priorities and interests.

Meaningful employment

People with Down syndrome show time and time again the mutual benefits of inclusive hiring practices.

Not only that, people with Down syndrome have the right to work in a meaningful job.

Our Victorian Employment Ambassador Keziah Glenane shared her employment success story with us for our Right to Work project.

Watch her video here:

Success Story

Families from regional Australia get together

Connecting with regional families

DSA team members love connecting with families from regional Australia, and we had a fantastic time meeting some families from the south-east corner of Australia for a morning tea during Down Syndrome Awareness Month.

It was a wonderful catch up and valuable for us to hear about some of the issues important to the community.

If you would like to talk to us about issues that are important to your regional community, contact us at info@downsyndrome.org.au

Online roundtable participants discuss ADEs

Roundtable on ADEs

Last month DSA joined an online roundtable to discuss Australian Disability Enterprises (ADEs), led by WA Green’s Senator Jordon Steele-John.

It was an open conversation about laws that enable ADEs and sub minimum wage to operate, the reality of working in an ADE, issues around segregated education leading people on a pathway to an ADE and what is needed to ensure a transition away from ADEs being the default for people with intellectual disability and Down syndrome.

We look forward to continuing the conversation and ensuring changes in law, policy and outcomes.

DSA staff compete at Special Olympics

This year we are very proud to have had staff members competing at the Special Olympics National Games in Launceston for the very first time.

Queensland Employment Ambassador Kirrin Pereira competed in the bowling, along with Pathways to Independence facilitator Lisa Tiernan from the Northern Territory.

Employment Ambassadors Eoin Gibson and Ellen Maher also competed in several swimming events.

Well done to DSA staff and all attendees at the Games!

Scrapheap Adventure Ride

The Scrapheap Team have done it again, and raised $60,000 for Down Syndrome Australia and Down Syndrome Queensland on their recent ride to Dirranbandi!

The riders, with family and friends, met for a weekend of fun and entertainment in regional Queensland from September 28 to October 2, 2022.

DSA thank Scrapheap Adventure Ride's founder, Perry Gilsenan, and acknowledge all of the volunteer time that went into making such a successful event.

Michael Sullivan receives the Order of Australia

Michael Sullivan receives Order of Australia medal

Congratulations to Michael Sullivan on receiving his medal after being appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) at Government House in Sydney.

As the first Chair of the Down Syndrome Advisory Network he paved the way for others in our community to be strong leaders and self-advocates.

Three young adults with intellectual disability

National Centre of Excellence

Down Syndrome Australia is pleased to hear the Australian Government has announced funding for a permanent National Centre of Excellence in Intellectual Disability Health.

The Government allocated $15.9 million, for a total commitment of $23.9 million over four years from 2022-23 for the National Centre, with funding to continue into the future beyond those four years.

DSA looks forward to working with the Government on this important issue and congratulate them on recognising the need for improved health outcomes for people with intellectual disability.

Submissions close December 2022 or the Disability Royal Commission. Send your submission by 31 December

Disability Royal Commission submissions

Disability Royal Commission submissions inform their Final Report and recommendations to government about what needs to change to make a more inclusive society.

Submissions close at the end of the year. However, they are encouraging people not to wait until the last minute before making a submission.

Find out more here:

DRC website

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.

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