We have some great opportunities for schools and educators to engage with inclusion and inclusive practices in schools to support your students with Down syndrome and involve the rest of your school community.
Education conference: Monday 2 March
The Down Syndrome Victoria Authentic Inclusion in Schools Education Conference is coming up on Monday 2 March in Abbotsford, Melbourne.
It’s a chance for teachers, schools and educators to learn from leading education experts on how to foster true inclusion in your school.
You will hear professional takes on topics like universal design, lifelong reading, Key Word Sign, behaviour support, and from people with lived experiences. You’ll come away with ideas and practical tools to take back to your classrooms.
You can find out more about the conference, program and presenters by clicking the button below.
Attending our Authentic Inclusion in Schools conference can contribute to your VIT registration.
We would love to see you there.
Conference details and registrationDSV’s 2026 Education Support Service
Did you know our Education Support Service (ESS) is the only visiting teacher service available for students with an intellectual disability in Victoria? We’re committed to ensuring that schools supporting students with diverse needs and learning styles have access to strategies, resources and support.
The Education Consultants at Down Syndrome Victoria provide specialised information to assist schools to deliver appropriate pedagogy and curriculum to students with Down syndrome and registrations for 2026 are still open.
The ESS is available to students in mainstream and specialist government, Catholic and Independent schools for an annual fee. The Victorian Department of Education funds a limited number of ESS places for students we have not previously supported or who are transitioning within mainstream government schools on a first in registration basis.
What you receive as part of the ESS
Over the course of three school visits (nine hours in total) across the year, the Education Support Service can provide:
- specialist resources
- curriculum modification
- positive behaviour support
- professional development sessions
- assistance at student support meetings
- email or phone consultation as required.
ESS registration also features access to our DSV Education Platform, which includes:
- a Community of Practice where teachers of students with Down syndrome can connect, share knowledge and strategies with each other and also hear from the DSV education team
- online education learning modules for professional development
- resources, webinars and education conferences.
How to register for the ESS
There are two online forms to complete to register for the ESS:
Host a Lots of Socks day at your school
Lots of Socks is a campaign to create conversation and bring awareness of Down syndrome on 21 March, World Down Syndrome Day, each year. The idea behind the Lots of Socks initiative is that no two socks are the same. Lots of Socks is a campaign to talk about diversity, inclusion and acceptance.
We have shared a resource below that aims to raise Down syndrome awareness in primary schools and support the social and educational inclusion of children with Down syndrome in their school community. You can use this resource in various ways:
- Invite children to wear a fun choice of socks to school on a dedicated day
- Include a gold coin donation to raise funds for your local Down syndrome association (us!).
- Use the resources to have a conversation about inclusion or Down syndrome.
- Use the resources for a creative writing or drawing exercise about diversity.
You can read more about Lots of Socks, talking points, curriculum links and activity ideas by clicking the button below.
Lots of Socks resources for schoolsIf you have any questions about our education programs, you can contact the DSV Education team on 9486 9600 or email education@dsav.asn.au