1 July 2025
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 Michael Cox.
Hi my name is Michael Cox.
I am a Board Director for Down Syndrome Australia.
I am here today to give you an update on Down Syndrome Advisory Network (DSAN) of which I am a member.
Goodbye and welcome
Jenny Bowden has been a member on DSAN since February 2021 and just recently we had to say our goodbyes to Jenny as her time on DSAN had come to an end. Jenny has been an amazing advocate for DSAN and Victoria she will be missed by all and I hope that she has an amazing journey.
I also want to say a massive welcome to our new member Sandon Overton who has just recently started on DSAN as our Tasmanian representative. We welcome Sandon with an open heart and we would love to play a massive role in his advocacy work and life.
What we learned
Recently we had the Chair of Down Syndrome Australia Rebecca Kelly come to a meeting to talk to us about how to run a successful meeting. She also spoke about what it is like to be a chairperson.
Rebecca also gave me some personal advice about how to separate the two identities of being a Board Director and my role as an advisor on DSAN.
She said it can be difficult to separate the two and it is just reminding yourself of the specific roles you hold.
We also had two guests from the Council of Intellectual Disability NSW.
Their names were Nicole and Justen.
Justen is an Aboriginal man and he came and talked to us about the Acknowledgement of Country and the reason why we say it.
I asked Justen if he thought we were over doing it and that some people may say the Acknowledgement of Country just for the sake of it.
He said it was important to acknowledge the indigenous peoples of our lands at the right time and event.
Erin and Alyssa from DSA’s Advocacy Team also recently came to talk to us about DSA’s Position Statement on Employment. We got to ask them questions and also we gave advice on what is important about employment for people with Down syndrome.
Sharing our voices
We have also started making videos for DSA’s social media and LinkedIn. The first one was on Standing up for your Rights and the second one is for Disability Pride Month. I think it is a good idea to have them on social media and LinkedIn as it is creating awareness and it is coming from us who are people with lived experience.
Board meeting
I also had my first meeting as a Board Director for DSA. I am the second person from DSAN to become a Director on the Board. We now have two people with Down syndrome on the Board, the other person is previous DSAN member Claire Mitchell. I am finally able to take my advocacy work for people with Down syndrome and mainstream society to the next level.
I am Michael Cox reporting!
