National Advocacy

Systemic Advocacy

Down Syndrome Australia does systemic advocacy. This means speaking out for Australians with Down syndrome and their families.

We speak out about things like legislation and government policies.

These are laws and rules that sometimes stop people with Down syndrome having the same rights as other people.

Down Syndrome Australia follows the United Nations Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The UNCRPD is about the rights of all people with disabilities.

Down Syndrome Australia says what needs to be changed so that Australians with Down syndrome have their rights.

We also speak out to help other people have a better understanding of Down syndrome.

This is to help people with Down syndrome. be welcomed and included in their community.

We work together with the Down Syndrome Advisory Network (DSAN).

The DSAN is a group of people with Down syndrome. They make sure we know what is important to people with Down syndrome.

In 2019, we wrote a paper called Leave No-one Behind.

It is about the problems that need to be fixed so that people with Down syndrome aren’t worse off than other people.

People with Down syndrome and their families told us these problems were the most important:

NDIS Prenatal screening Getting good health care Inclusive education Employment Migration

There is an Easy Read copy of Leave No-one Behind.

You can also read about other systemic advocacy in the links at the bottom of this page.

Individual Advocacy

This is helping people to speak out when they have been treated unfairly or they’ve been hurt or abused.

Individual advocacy helps people to have their voice heard.

It also helps people to get the information and support they need and think about what they can choose to do.

There is an Australian network of disability advocates who can give you help and advice.

If you need help to find individual advocacy in your area, contact your state or territory Down syndrome organisation.