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(02) 6290 0656

ACT Down Syndrome & Intellectual Disability Association leads the way in building an inclusive community for people with Down syndrome and intellectual disabilities.

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Overview

ACT Down Syndrome & Intellectual Disability aims to improve the quality of life for people with Down syndrome and other intellectual disabilities by providing support and information to their families, carers, schools, employers and other organisations.

ACT Down Syndrome & Intellectual Disability also aims to increase awareness of the abilities and needs of people with Down syndrome and intellectual disability through our programs, events and activities.

ACT Down Syndrome & Intellectual Disability actively works within the community to assist in the removal of barriers for people with a disability to access mainstream services.

Name Change

You may have previously known us as ACT Down Syndrome Association. We are currently in the process of changing our name and logo to ACT Down Syndrome & Intellectual Disability Association. You can read more about the transition here: ACT Down Syndrome Association Announces Name Change – Down Syndrome Australia

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Services and Supports

Our Vision

ACT Down Syndrome & Intellectual Disability leads the way in building an inclusive community for people with Down syndrome and intellectual disabilities.

Our Mission

ACT Down Syndrome & Intellectual Disability works with individuals and families through lifelong engagement to enable them to reach their full potential as active and contributing members of the wider community.

ACT Down Syndrome & Intellectual Disability collaborates and builds relationships with business, government and community organisations to create better outcomes for all of society.

Our Reports

2020-2025 Strategic Plan (UNDER REVIEW)

2022/2023 Annual Report ACTDSADownload
2021/2022 Annual Report ACTDSADownload
2020/2021 Annual Report ACTDSADownload
2019/2020 Annual Report ACTDSADownload
2018/2019 ACTDSA Annual Report with financialsDownload
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Resources for New Parents
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About NDIS and Early Childhood Intervention

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This is a final remi

This is a final reminder about our upcoming Community Consultations happening on August 14th at the Southern Cross club in Tuggeranong. There will be some light lunch available during the Consultation on Friday. For more information about the Consultation process and how to register please see the information provided below.

Community-Based Disability Supports - Community ConsultationACT Down Syndrome & Intellectual Disability (ACT DSID) and Women with Disabilities ACT (WWDACT) is partnering with the ACT Government to conduct community consultation into community-based disability supports.Community-based disability supports:In the ACT, Community based disability supports are programs, services and resources that promote inclusion, build skills, capacity and independence, foster social participation, remove barriers to mainstream services and link people with disability and their support networks to the community.Community-based disability supports are often provided by local not for profit organisations. Typically, the key focus of these community-based disability supports are to improve the lives of people with disability and their families. Some organisations that provide community-based disability supports may offer some services that can be paid for using NDIS funding but also offer services for free or at low cost to the community. Services could include disability programs at a local community centre or community group, incorporated association or sporting group.The ACT Government also offers a range of community-based disability supports such as accessible transport, Companion Card support, Child Development Services and an Equipment Loan Service.Have you heard about the proposed General Foundational Supports?The Department of Health, Disability & Aging says General Foundational Supports are specific supports outside the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). They are in addition to services offered by mainstream systems, like education and health.General Foundational Supports will help people with disability to live a better life. They will improve access to:- evidence-based information- supports that help build skills, improve confidence and independence- supports that will develop connections between peers and within the community- supports to find other services and resources- advice that helps community organisations to be more inclusive and accessible.https://health.gov.au/.../…...No final decision has been made about how General Foundational Supports will be delivered across Australia. When this happens, the ACT Government wants to be aware of the community-based disability supports that already exist in the ACT. The ACT Government also wants to know what is missing from our community-based disability support landscape and hear this directly from people with disability and their families/support networks.The community consultation will be carried out over August 2026. ACT DSID and WWDACT will be hosting three face-to-face/online community consultation events to gather information.Dates:- August 14th, 2026 - Canberra Southern Cross Club Tuggeranong: ...- August 26th, 2026 - Gungahlin Community Centre: https://events.humanitix.com/copy-of-copy-of-commu…...ACT DSID and WWDACT has also created an online survey and will give the community the opportunity to speak with them over the phone, in person, via Teams or via email if giving feedback in this way is more appropriate. To provide your own feedback on community-based disability supports please complete the survey provided: The survey is also available in Plain Language: The information obtained through this research project will be de-identified and presented to the ACT Government in the form of a listening report in October 2026. ACT DSID and WWDACT may also use de-identified information in their advocacy work and information referral programs. If you have any questions about the research or how the information will be collected and used, please contact Shannon Kolak, CEO ACT Down Syndrome & Intellectual Disability. ... See MoreSee Less

6 days ago
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Congratulations to S

Congratulations to Sam Chapman on being named one of the finalists in this year’s ‘My Perspective’ photography competition 🎉🎉🎉

My perspective is an international photographic competition for people who have Down syndrome. Sam is a finalist in the Adult Category. 'Close up pelican' by Sam Chapman is the chosen photograph in this year's finals. Last year, Sam won the Stephen Thomas Award for international entries as a part of the 2025 ‘My Perspective’ photography competition.People’s Choice Award voting will open soon. Make sure to keep an eye on the My Perspective socials and website so that you can vote for Sam’s photo!https://downs-syndrome.org.uk/our-work/our-voice/… ... See MoreSee Less

2 weeks ago
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Congratulations to A

Congratulations to ACTDSID staff member and Advocacy Reference Group member Ben on this incredible opportunity 🎉🎉

We are so proud of Ben and incredible work he does as a voice for people with disability in the ACT.👏 A warm welcome to Ben Zarew, the newest member of the NDIS Commission's Advisory Council. Ben is an experienced disability advocate, consultant and public speaker, and a proud member of Canberra's LGBTQI+ community. With Ben's appointment, the Advisory Council now includes members from every state and territory across Australia. Together, Council members help keep the voices and experiences of people with disability at the centre of our work. 👏 Join us in welcoming Ben! 🔗 Learn more about the Advisory Council and its members: ... See MoreSee Less

3 weeks ago
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Get In Touch

Get in Touch

Street address: Building 2, Level 1, Pearce Community Centre, Collett Place, Pearce ACT 2607
Postal address: Pearce Community Centre, Collett Place, Pearce ACT 2607

If you are visiting us in person, we are located next to KidSafe.

Phone: 02 6290 0656
Email: admin@actdsid.org.au
Office Hours: Monday – Friday, 9.00am – 4.00pm

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admin@actdsid.org.au

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