Inclusion in Action, Building Skills and Changing Attitudes
About the Project
Down Syndrome Australia is delivering a new project called ‘Inclusion in Action, Building Skills and Changing Attitudes’, which is funded by the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing.
Down Syndrome Australia will work with an Expert Reference Group to review and update existing resources in DSA’s National Resources Hub, as well as develop new resources for the hub that are relevant for people with Down syndrome, employers, educators, community workers and healthcare professionals.
We will create resources that are co-designed and user-tested with our community. This will make sure they are easy to understand, and useful for people with Down syndrome, and professionals who provide services and supports to people with Down syndrome.
If you need extra information please reach out to advocacy@downsyndrome.org.au.
This project received funding from the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing.
Inclusive Education for Students with Down syndrome
Watch our webinar and find a range of resources here.
What is one strategy or idea you are most likely to implement as a result of this webinar?
“Including the students with all the other students in the class as one group, not segregating them with different tasks from the rest of the class, even though they are in the same room.”
Project Team
Project Officer – Lachie Gapes
Lachlan works at Down Syndrome Australia as the Project Officer on the Inclusion in Action, Building Skills and Changing Attitudes project. Lachlan is the lead co-designer for this project and helps co-facilitate co-design workshops with the Lived Experience Experts to develop the resources for the project.
Expert Reference Group
Jack Williamson
Jack Williamson is from the Outer Eastern suburbs of Melbourne where he balances a busy life of work, gym, dance and social activities. At 25 years old, Jack is currently focussed on preparing to move into independent living. One of Jack’s jobs is supporting advocacy for people with intellectual disabilities and he enjoys opportunities to speak about his lived experiences and hopes for the future. Jack is one of the Lived Experience Experts in the Expert Reference Group. Jack also helps advise on the development of the resources for this project.
Ethan Parry
Ethan Parry lives in Hervey Bay, Queensland. He has represented Queensland and Australia in Athletics, including at several Virtus World Athletics Championships, winning Gold, Silver and Bronze Medals. Ethan is a Lived Experience Expert, providing advice and guidance to the Expert Reference Group for this project.
Casey Gray
Casey works with community to help people feel included and make friends.
Violetta Shersher
Violetta is a Speech Pathologist with more than 13 years’ experience supporting children, young adults and their families. She works closely with people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and in education settings.
Mads Kennedy
Mads is a Project Manager working across the disability and aged care sectors. They are passionate about accessibility and inclusion, with a strong interest in LGBTQIA+ communities and disability justice.
DSA acknowledges and is grateful for the funding provided the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing.
