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1300 344 954

We are the National peak organisation for people living with Down syndrome and their families

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World Down Syndrome Congress 2024

Join us for this exciting event held in Brisbane, Australia!

Find out more or register

Overview

We are the National peak organisation for people living with Down syndrome and their families.

People with Down syndrome are at the centre of all the work that we do.

We work with the Down Syndrome Advisory network to get their ideas and suggestions about our work.

We work to create change in social and public policy.

We want to make sure people understand the experiences of people with Down syndrome and their families. All our work is informed by the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

We work together with state and territory organisations to achieve our vision.

We are committed to achieving our vision through demonstrating our values of:

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Our Vision

People living with Down syndrome are valued and have full access to social and economic inclusion in order to achieve their full potential.

Down Syndrome Australia

Down Syndrome Australia logo

Down Syndrome Australia is the national peak organisation for people with Down syndrome in Australia.

A map of Australia and the Down syndrome Australia logo

This means bringing together and working with the other Down syndrome associations around the country.

A man and woman stand next to each other

People with Down syndrome are at the centre of all the work we do.

Down syndrome Advisory network group photo

We work with the Down Syndrome Advisory Network (DSAN). This is a group of people with Down syndrome who give us their ideas and suggestions about our work.

A mother, father and daughter stand together outdoors

We want to make sure people understand the experiences of people with Down syndrome and their families.

A board meting with people sitting around a meeting table

Our work helps the government and the community to make changes that help people with Down syndrome.

United National logo

We use the United Nations Convention on the Right of Persons with Disabilities to guide us in our work. This tells us all about the rights of people with disabilities.

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Tune in to ABC shortly to hear the inaugural Disability Leadership Oration from Natalie Wade to celebrate International People with Disability Day!

Each year a prominent disability leader will share their perspective on disability leadership, where it is going and what it looks like. Taking a broad view, they will outline the way forward and consider what needs to be done and who should be part of making progress happen. The inaugural Disability Leadership Orator is Natalie Wade.You can watch the Oration on Sunday the 3rd of December, I-Day. 5.30pm ABC TV and on Iview (check guides in case of change). Photo credit: @disabilityleadershipinstitute ... See MoreSee Less

2 days ago
Tune in to ABC shortly to hear the inaugural Disability Leadership Oration from Natalie Wade to celebrate International People with Disability Day! 

Each year a prominent disability leader will share their perspective on disability leadership, where it is going and what it looks like. Taking a broad view, they will outline the way forward and consider what needs to be done and who should be part of making progress happen. The inaugural Disability Leadership Orator is Natalie Wade.

You can watch the Oration on Sunday the 3rd of December,  I-Day.  
5.30pm ABC TV and on Iview (check guides in case of change). 

Photo credit: @disabilityleadershipinstitute

Congratulations to all the finalists and winners of the Disability Leadership Institute awards, announced this morning. What a fabulous way to celebrate International Day of People with Disability - Australia!

DSA was honoured to be included in this list of finalists in the Innovation category, for our Inclusive Communication project - delivered by our wonderful Health Ambassadors. A huge congratulations to Robert King for taking out the Innovation award - his journey to independent living is amazing and shines a light on what is possible. Congratulations to all the winners and finalists for their achievements. DSA is proud to be amongst this group of people and organisations who contribute so much to the community and make transformative change.These annual Awards reflect what is important to disabled people and the ways that we are effecting change and pursuing equality for our community. They recognise outstanding achievements by individual or disabled people’s organisation, who have significantly contributed to advancing the status of disabled people. The recipients of each award will be announced from 9am on Sunday the 3rd of December. International Day of the Disabled person.For a full list of finalists, visit our website.https://disabilityleaders.com.au/disability-leader…;#DisabilityAwards2023The Innovation Award is for achieving outcomes to the status of disabled people by working outside the box, developing new systems, technology, or tools.The finalists in the Innovation Award are:WaterAbleEstablished in 2020, WaterAble is a unique network for people with disability and their allies in the water industry. WaterAble has taken an innovative sector approach to improve disability inclusion, partnering with all 18 Victorian water corporations, as well as working with people with disability. This sector approach leverages water industry collaboration through pioneering day of action workshops, member programs, events and toolkits. Between 2020 and 2022 the number of employees identifying with a disability across Victorian water corporations increased by 2%to 6.2%.Down Syndrome Australia – Inclusive Communication ProjectThe team consists of a manager and 10 adults with Down syndrome who are trainers, educators and advisors. They build the capacity of the health workforce. They deliver training to health students and health professionals and undertake a range of advocacy-focused activities. Since 2021, the team has delivered over 100 education sessions to over 5000 health professionals and students. They are improving the inequality in health for people with intellectual disability.Robert KingRob lived in institutions for 50 years. Now Rob lives by himself in his own accessible apartment with a life filled with love and connection. He has done this by having an unyielding vision, creating new support systems, grasping the opportunity of technology for freedom and a support circle. Rob is non verbal with significant physical disability and proved the idea that he couldn’t live safely on his own after institutionalisation as false & ableist.Image description: A graphic with a white background and a pink border. Along the bottom is two logos and an image. The logo on the far left is the Team DSC logo, it has an orange, green and white octagon with dsc beside it. In the middle is the Disability Leadership Institute logo, it is purple, pink, black and white. In the right corner is an image of 7 circles overlapping. They are purple, dark pink, pink teal, black and white. Text: National Awards for Disability Leadership Finalists in the Innovation Award. Down Syndrome Australia – Inclusive Communication Project, WaterAble, Robert King. ... See MoreSee Less

2 days ago
Congratulations to all the finalists and winners of the Disability Leadership Institute awards, announced this morning. What a fabulous way to celebrate International Day of People with Disability - Australia! 

DSA was honoured to be included in this list of finalists in the Innovation category, for our Inclusive Communication project - delivered by our wonderful Health Ambassadors. 

A huge congratulations to Robert King for taking out the Innovation award - his journey to independent living is amazing and shines a light on what is possible. 

Congratulations to all the winners and finalists for their achievements. DSA is proud to be amongst this group of people and organisations who contribute so much to the community and make transformative change.

4 CommentsComment on Facebook

Congratulations Down Syndrome Australia! 👏👏👏

Congratulations!

Congratulations Down Syndrome Australia 👏🏻

wow...what an achievement

Get In Touch

Down Syndrome Australia

Level 8, 805/220 Collins Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000 

1300 344 954

info@downsyndrome.org.au

Media inquiries: media@downsyndrome.org.au

Pre-natal and New Families

1300 881 935

Contact your state or territory Down Syndrome Association to speak to a parent of a child with Down syndrome.

Send an enquiry

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