31 March 2026
We’re thrilled to share a monthly update from the Down Syndrome Advisory Network (DSAN) – a national group of people with Down syndrome who meet fortnightly to build their skills and share their views. This month, we hear from Anna.
Hi my name is Anna and I live in Perth.
Some of my favourite activities include going to the beach with my dog Miley, ballroom dancing, hanging out with my family and friends and I also love exercising in the community and being outside in the fresh air.
I love being on DSAN as I get to make new friends and team up together to discuss the plan for DSAN and decide how we can best advocate for people with Down syndrome. I love that I get the opportunity to be a role model for people in my community and help them to have a voice and to stand up for their rights. I enjoy having the responsibilities and taking action on behalf of other people and being an advocate for people with Down syndrome.
During March and April, we learnt more about Advocacy. We learnt about the 4 advocacy areas:
- Self Advocacy
- Individual Advocacy
- Group Advocacy
- and Systemic Advocacy.
We watched a video on Dylan Alcott and the advocacy work that he does. Dylan advocates for creating a fully inclusive environment where people with a disability can thrive and he helps people achieve their dreams through his foundation. His vision is that seeing people with a disability to just become normal. He wants all people with a disability to have their own voice about the choices and decisions they make about their own life.
I think the work Dylan does in advocacy is very important and he is an incredible role model and a great leader and he has a lot of experience in advocacy and he helps other people to reach their full potential.
We watched the National Advocacy Anthem music video clip and I found it really catchy and entertaining as well as sending a really important message for self-advocacy.
We all read DSA’s ‘Advocacy Asks’ document. The 6 advocacy areas are Prenatal screening, Health, NDIS, Education, Employment and Migration. I learnt about Prenatal screening as before reading the document I wasn’tsure what it was but now I know that it is a test that estimates if the baby is likely to have Down syndrome. I learnt that doctors need to be trained on how to more positively discuss screening and Down syndrome.
The advocacy area I’m most passionate about is Employment. I want to be an advocate for open employment and be a role model in how to get a job in open employment and for it to become normal and accessible for people with Down syndrome.
I think the skills and qualities needed to be a strong advocate are to be kind to one another, listen to people and support them and their ideas, be a good communicator and a confident public speaker. Be patient and listen to people and empower them and keep fighting for them and supporting them.
Everyone gave their ideas to help to come up with the theme for the June issue of the ‘Voice’ magazine. My ideas were ‘Choice and Responsibility’ and ‘Being more out there in the community’.
Everyone also made a video for World Down Syndrome Day and the theme was ‘Together Against Loneliness’. My tip for connecting with others to make sure they are happy and not too lonely was organising with people to catch up for a coffee at a local café and to have a chat and hang out.
Kind Regards, Anna
