About Down Syndrome Queensland
Down Syndrome Queensland (DSQ) is the peak body for Intellectual Disability in Queensland and works for a better quality of life for people with intellectual disabilities, including Down syndrome. DSQ is a registered charity, established in 1976 by parents to support and strengthen families, and promote positive and realistic images of people with disabilities. Its dynamic and expert team of staff provides a range of services and supports throughout Queensland and are supported by a number of wonderful volunteers, including the DSQ Board. Our services are funded through grants, sponsorships, donations and fundraising.
Our Mission
As the peak body for intellectual disability in Queensland, DSQ provides practical and emotional support to all people with intellectual disabilities, their families and support networks. We drive change, support inclusion and are on a quest for equality for people with disabilities, so they can take their rightful places as valuable and contributing members of their communities. We provide expert advice and quality services to empower individuals to fulfil their potential, now and into the future.
Our Values
Our values express what we stand for and guide the way we do things. Our values are core to our business, and we align everything we do with them. Here at DSQ, we have three core values. Putting these values into action will help us to build community awareness and to support, advocate for and empower people with Intellectual Disability.
Integrity
We remain true to our mission and are honest, open, ethical, and fair. We take accountability for our actions and our actions match our words.
Inclusion
We know it takes people with different ideas, strengths, interests, and backgrounds to succeed. We collaborate to leverage collective knowledge.
Passion
What we do, we do well.
We act with courage to create a better future.
Our Vision
DSQ provides practical and emotional support through the delivery of educational and social programs across multiple facets, each with their own vision.
Education
We provide expert support to educators to enable students living with Intellectual Disability to maximise their learning outcomes, now and in the future.
Support Services
We provide expert advice and support, with quality services to ensure people with Intellectual Disability fulfil their potential, now and in their future.
Fundraising & Events
We are experts in running events and fundraising activities to ensure DSQ have the resources to support, advocate and empower people living with Intellectual Disability, now and in the future.
Programs
We offer an excellent range of educational and social programs to develop skills, build capacity and empower people living with Intellectual Disability, now and in the future.
DSQ Journey
As the peak body for Intellectual Disability, DSQ can provide numerous benefits to your family, community, school and/organisation. We have expertise in areas such as disability advocacy, inclusion, and community engagement and more, as well as access to valuable resources, information and networks that can help you before, during and after school years. Being a part of the DSQ community can boost your connection with families and individuals with disabilities and create opportunities for support and collaboration.
DSQ has created a ‘now and the future’ journey to direct our current programs and initiatives that ensures that we are catering to all age groups and strategically moving forward to better support the disability community.
Our Patron
Her Excellency the Honourable Dr Jeannette Young AC PSM, Governor of Queensland, was sworn in as the 27th Governor of Queensland on 1 November 2021. DSQ is honoured to have her patronage.