DSA attends COSP16

Olivia addressed the Civil Society Forum with the closing remarks. Olivia made a call for more accessibility of processes and participation from different groups of persons with disabilities in United Nations processes. 

Read Olivia’s speech here: Civil Society Forum (PDF)

On day 2 of the COSP16, Olivia addressed the General Assembly about inclusion and sub-theme 3: Reaching the under-represented groups of persons with disabilities. At the closing of Olivia’s 3-minute intervention Olivia received cheers from the entire Hall of the General Assembly. 

Read Olivia’s speech here: General Assembly Intervention (PDF)

Olivia represented Down Syndrome Australia as a panel member at this side event. The event was co-organised by Down Syndrome International, Inclusion International and the Permanent Mission of Poland to the United Nations.

Olivia spoke of the many different ways use easy-to-understand communication can be obtained. 

“There is not just one way to communicate, people want to be communicated with, in a language they understand and use.“

Read Olivia’s speech here: Easy to understand communication (PDF)

On the final day of COSP 16 Down Syndrome Australia hosted our own side Event at the Australian Consulate General New York. The Theme of the event was # With Us Not For Us. Reaching the under-represented groups of persons with disabilities. Self-advocacy by people with Down syndrome. Down Syndrome Australia invited Down Syndrome International and the National Down Syndrome Society to join us in the event. 

Self-advocates from around the globe spoke of the importance of the voice of people with Down syndrome being heard. The Advocates spoke of the impact they have had in their own countries. Vinicius Streda from Brazil – represented Down Syndrome International, Charlotte Woodward from America – represented National Down Syndrome Society, Emma Bishop from the United Kingdom – represented Down’s Syndrome Uk and Olivia Sidhu – represented Down Syndrome Australia. 

Olivia and Natalie also presented the results of the recent evaluation of the DSA Health Ambassador Program by the Centre for Social Impact by Swinburne University.

The Down Syndrome Australia Health Ambassador program has significant opportunity to expand in multiple ways. The model of creating paid employment roles for lived experience educators is supported by evidence from other research, as well as evidence from this evaluation.^[1]

The DSA team was honoured to have The Hon Amanda Rishworth MP – Minister for Social Services, Ms Jodi Cassar – Program Manager Department of Human Services, Dr Ben Gauntlett, Disability Discrimination Commissioner, Australian Human Rights Commission, The Honourable Mitch Fifield – Australia’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations and many other distinguished guests at the event and for them to hear the work our advocates are doing.