For People with Down syndrome

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Education for people with Down syndrome or intellectual disability

The continued education and skill development of people with Down syndrome and intellectual disabilities is an important aspect of how we aim to achieve the Associations mission. We are continuing to develop new, innovative and interactive courses and programs to increase capacity and independence in people with Down syndrome and intellectual disabilities.


Confident Speakers

Confident Speakers has been operating since 1994 as an informal learning activity. This program teaches the skills and knowledge required to make effective presentations for many different purposes using a range of media. This program is designed for anyone above the age of 15 and is tailored to suit people with an intellectual disability.

Facilitated by David Williams (OA) this program has successfully provided people living with disability the skills and confidence needed to speak not only in social situations but to present information to a large audience.

This is a free group and meets on the last Thursday every month (excluding December and January).


Science Alliance

Science Alliance is a capacity building program designed to address internal barriers that people with intellectual disabilities face in regards to employment and social connectedness with their community through the use of informal science activities. The program aims to improve the participants:

  • Independence
  • Problem solving skills
  • Motivation
  • Communication
  • Self confidence
  • Teamwork skills
  • Ability to interact meaningfully with the wider community

Image of young man using a hand saw
Image of ACTDSA's Science Alliance Group

Science Alliance is run once a week for 2 hours in 10 week blocks (terms) on a fee for service basis. We currently have two times available for 2023:

  • Tuesday evening, 4.00pm – 6.00pm
  • Wednesday morning, 10.00am – 12.00pm

If you would like to enquire about enrolling for 2023, please contact the DSID Office.


Numeracy or Everyday Living

Numeracy for Everyday Living is a capacity building program designed to improve numeracy skills in people with disability. The program aims to improve participants understanding and ability to solve basic mathematic problems, with the intent to transfer the skills to every day applications such as:

  • Basic addition and subtraction
  • Understanding a budget
  • Understanding “% off Sales”
  • Money – what each note and coin represents

Numeracy for Everyday Living is run once a week for 1.5 hours, in 10 week blocks (terms) on a fee for service basis. We currently have one time available for 2023:

  • Monday afternoon, 2.30pm – 4.00pm

If you would like to enquire about enrolling for 2023, please contact the DSID Office.

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Speakers’ Corner

This program is based on the successful Confident Speakers program and is influenced by the Australian Competency – Apply Communication Skills. Participants will:

  • Develop public speaking skills
  • Learn the fundamentals of communication
  • Practice social communication

This program is for adults 18+ with an intellectual disability who wish to increase their confidence in communicating.

There are currently no sessions for 2023. If you would like to enquire about enrolling for 2024 please contact the DSID Office.

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Contact Us

To enquire about any of our Adult Education Programs, please contact Gemma.

Email: community@actdsa.org.au

Phone: 02 6290 0656