November 2024

CEO update

Welcome to DSA's November e-news!

October was Down Syndrome Awareness Month, a chance to celebrate people with Down syndrome. Events took place across Australia, providing a fantastic chance for community members to connect, share and celebrate.

DSA released a new video for Down Syndrome Awareness Month: "Down Syndrome: Let's Set the Record Straight." In this video, people with Down syndrome, their siblings and parents, share their stories and challenge common misunderstandings. Click the image below to watch the video, and please share to help raise awareness.

This is a still image from DSA's video - Down Syndrome - Let's Set the Record Straight

I had a fantastic time filming more video content with Nixon (pictured above right) and our ambassadors Claire, Eoin and Catherine in Brisbane last month. It was a wonderful opportunity to connect, have some fun and film important updates about our work. We look forward to sharing this content with you soon!

In exciting advocacy news, we achieved a big win for migration last month. The Federal Government has amended Migration Regulations that previously discriminated against people with disability. They’ve removed the health-related criteria for visas, which means many children and people with disability will no longer be ineligible due to potential healthcare costs. This change has been years in the making, and I want to thank everyone who contributed to this effort. Learn more about these changes here.

In other positive news, congratulations to our partners at Inclusion Australia on their 70th birthday. This is a huge milestone, and we recognise their ongoing commitment to inclusion and advocacy.

Finally, we’re pleased to announce that the new Governor-General, Sam Mostyn, has confirmed her patronage of Down Syndrome Australia. We look forward to working with her and appreciate her support for our work.

Sincerely

Darryl Steff
CEO, Down Syndrome Australia

This is a photo of Down Syndrome Australia CEO Darryl Steff

Advocacy

This is a photo of a man with Down syndrome working at a cafe

DSA Advocacy Update

It’s a busy time in advocacy. The Government is focused on reforming the NDIS, improving employment and responding to the NDIS Review and the Disability Royal Commission. DSA is also excited to welcome a new member to our advocacy team this week.

On 16 October DSA CEO, Darryl Steff, attended a public hearing of the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters. This inquiry looked into civics education, engagement and participation in Australia. You can read our submission here.

Darryl stressed the importance of ensuring all students have access to civics education and the chance to develop citizenship and voting skills, both in school and as adults. He also pointed out the unfair laws that allow people to be removed from the electoral roll with very little evidence. We look forward to the results of the inquiry, which also covered community concerns like the use of AI, truth in media and advertising, and access to elections for people experiencing homelessness.

Last week, we submitted recommendations to the Cost of Living Inquiry, which will be available on our website soon. This was an important chance to suggest changes that could greatly improve the lives of people with Down syndrome and other chromosomal differences. Our recommendations include:

Increasing the Disability Support Pension to a livable rate.
Implementing recommendations from the Disability Royal Commission to improve access to open employment and fair wages.
Continuing government support for disability organisations and community groups to provide vital information, programs, and peer support.

We hope the Committee will seriously consider these recommendations and work towards meaningful changes that benefit individuals, families and communities.

Health

Have you booked your annual health check?

It’s Doctor Time! is a campaign by Inclusion Australia to encourage more people with intellectual disability to visit their GP for a yearly health check.

A yearly health check is an important appointment with your GP. You should have one every year, even if you feel fine. This is also called an Annual Health Assessment.

Why is it important?

These checks help your GP ensure your body is working well and can catch any health problems early. Medicare usually covers most or all of the cost, so you might not have to pay much.

For more information and resources, visit Inclusion Australia's website.

Learn more about health checks

This is a photo of two women for the screen me cervical screening program

Cervical Screening: Screen Me!

The Screen Me! campaign encourages women and people with a cervix who have a disability to get their cervical screening. These checks are important for spotting health issues early.

People with disability often have fewer screenings because of barriers like accessibility and misunderstandings about their health.

Everyone has the right to preventative healthcare. Make your appointment today or help your loved one with a disability do the same.

Click the button below to watch Screen Me!—a short film about cervical screening, made by and for people with disability.

Watch Screen Me!

Opportunities

This is a photo of a teenager with Down syndrome on a laptop

Education Grant Available!

Great news for people with disability living in Australia. The Frank Hall-Bentick Education Fund is offering grants of up to $2,500 to help people of all ages pursue their educational dreams—whether it’s formal or informal learning.

Applications are open until 31 December 2024. If you or someone you know someone could benefit, please share this message.

Learn more and apply

This is a photo of a young woman with Down syndrome smiling

Melbourne University NDIS Opportunity

The University of Melbourne is looking for people to help with a project about NDIS plans and supports. They want to understand how these plans make a difference in people’s lives and help them get involved in their communities.

Are you eligible? You can take part if you:

Are 15 years or older
Have Down syndrome or an intellectual disability
Use an NDIS plan
Want to share how your NDIS plan helps you reach your goals

If you have a family member, allied health worker, or support worker who knows you well, they can join the discussion too!

What will you need to do?

Share your NDIS plan with the Melbourne University research team.
Chat for about 1 to 2 hours (with breaks).

If you’re over 18, you can choose whether your family member joins.

Melbourne University would also like to talk to your allied health worker or support worker for about 1 hour.

As a thank you, you and your worker will each receive a $50 voucher for taking part.

If you are interested in this project or would like to find out more, email ndia-effectiveness@unimelb.edu.au or call (03) 8344 5366.

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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.

Down Syndrome Australia is proud to receive support from the Australian Government's Information Linkages and Capacity Building (ILC) Grant program, in order to deliver a wide variety of projects to support people with Down syndrome, their family and supporters.

Please get in touch if you have feedback you would like to share with us.

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

Down Syndrome Australia and its members acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.

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

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