Down Syndrome WA

08/12/2025

The Strang family are lighting up for Christmas and raising funds for Down Syndrome WA!

You can help by visiting their amazing Christmas lights show at 23 Jindinga Way Wanneroo 6065.

Make a donation when you visit or donate at https://lights.mycause.com.au/

08/12/2025

What a wonderful afternoon of fun and connection at the annual DSWA community Christmas Party 💚❤️

So lovely to catch up with our long time members and welcome so many new faces!

06/12/2025

Ready for Work – Expression of Interest for 2026

In 2026, we plan to run our Ready for Work program.

This program is for people who want to start work but are not sure how to begin.

In this program, you will learn:

- what it is like to work in a workplace

- what you need to know before you start a job

- how to feel confident and ready for work

If you or someone you care for would like to join the Ready for Work program in

2026, please contact our Employment Coordinator, Lara

employment@downsyndromewa.org.au

04/12/2025

DSWA - Parents and Bubs Morning Tea

Our final morning tea for the year was a great success . We were joined by four wonderful families for lots of laughs, great conversations, and plenty of cuddles.

We’d like to extend a heartfelt thank-you to all the families who have joined us throughout the year. We hope you’ve enjoyed connecting with one another as much as we have.

We look forward to seeing you all again next year!

04/12/2025

Art Competition - National Centre of Excellence in Intellectual Disability Health

This free competition is part of a national research project led by the National Centre of Excellence in Intellectual Disability Health. We want to learn what people with intellectual disability think matters most in health research — and your artwork will help shape national research priorities.

Who can enter:
• Non-professional artists
• 18+
• Living in Australia
• Identifying as having an intellectual disability

All art mediums welcome — painting, drawing, photography, digital art, music, dance, collage, sculpture, textiles and more.

Prizes up for grabs!

• 1st Prize – to the value of $1000
• 2nd Prize – to the value of $500
• 3rd Prize – to the value of $500
• People’s Choice to the value of $500
Closes: January 16, 2026.

Flyer + Participant Information Statement (P*S) attached. More info:
https://cds.org.au/art-competition/

03/12/2025

Greg Carstens - Hidden Disabilities Sunflower

Melita, Greg's Mum, sent us an update on Greg traveling with a sunflower lanyard.

"Our son Greg Carstens has asked to share onto all his family friends at DSWA the ease of travelling with the new Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Australia & New Zealand Sunflower Lanyard.

He received his free Sunflower Lanyard from Virgin Airport staff in Perth when we recently travelled to Queensland NSW & New Zealand. He took pleasure in wearing his new Lanyard at all the airports and onboard the planes whilst travelling/ holidaying. He would keep it handy and make sure he had it on prior to entering the airport & boarding the planes.

Greg received excellent assistance throughout his journey, and was allowed to board the plane early, given extra time to settle onboard prior to all other passengers entering. The Sunflower Lanyard was sighted & recognised and priority assistance was always offered by airport staff with no verbal requests having been spoken. It has made travelling for Greg so much calmer and safer for him.

We hope our DSWA families embrace this new support offered not only at airports nationally but overseas also."

Read more at:
https://hdsunflower.com/au/
https://www.facebook.com/HiddendisabilitiesANZ
https://www.sydneyairport.com.au/hiddendisabilities

03/12/2025

International Day of People with Disability
Theme: Celebrating Our Unity
Today we join communities around the world in recognising the strength, diversity, and incredible contributions of people with disability. At Down Syndrome WA, unity isn’t just a theme — it’s something we live every day.
We see it in our Open Employment Program, where inclusive workplaces grow stronger through the talents and perspectives of people with Down syndrome.
We feel it across all age groups, from our littlest playgroup members to adults stepping into new opportunities through the Life Skills Lab. Every stage of life is supported, valued, and celebrated.
We experience it through collaborative partnerships with families, walking alongside parents, siblings, and carers who share their wisdom, hopes, and lived experience so generously.
And we are inspired by the growing voice and leadership of the Down Syndrome WA Advisory Network (DSWAAN) — a powerful reminder that the best ideas come directly from people with lived experience.
Today, and every day, we celebrate the unity, strength, and shared purpose that drives our community forward.

02/12/2025

Our Midwest members got together for a Barefoot Bowls event. in November. Lots of families came together for some chats and a catchup.

Thank you to our volunteer Regional Representative Emily, who organised this family event .

And thank you to who support our Regional outreach program.

01/12/2025

What's On at DSWA

For details of the events below see our e-News (https://www.downsyndrome.org.au/wa/news-and-events/down-syndrome-wa-newsletters/), go to our Events (https://www.downsyndrome.org.au/wa/news-and-events/events/) page or contact us – admin@downsyndromewa.org.au

28/11/2025

DSWA E-News November 2025

Our November E-news is out now! Check your email inbox for updates from our members, MidWest Regional Outreach, Educators Professional Learning Day, Ready for Work Program and the Living My Best Life program in 2026!

Keep up to date with everything happening at DSWA by subscribing at https://www.downsyndrome.org.au/get-involved/subscribe-to-voice-and-newsletters or email us admin@downsyndromewa.org.au

27/11/2025

Life Skills Lab
16+
We’re excited to launch a brand-new programme called Living your best life, designed to help you build confidence, learn new skills, and feel great about your future!
What is it all about?
Living your best life can mean:
Getting a job
Living more independently
Cooking for yourself and your family
Looking after your body and mind
And learning the skills that help you feel proud and strong

Our Living your best life full day event gives you a safe, and fun space to learn all of this with content created and guided by DSWAAN.
Full-day sessions: 9:00am – 3:00pm
Every Wednesday for 5 weeks
Starting: 14th January
We’ll explore cooking skills, daily living skills, health, wellbeing, and so much more.
https://www.trybooking.com/DHQZC

24/11/2025

Want to help people with Down syndrome and other intellectual disability get more confident online? Apply to be a Digital Champion.

Good Things Foundation Australia
Down Syndrome Australia

With Down Syndrome Australia, we are looking for our next Digital Champions who will help us close the digital divide.

The Champions will learn and be trained to present and support community groups on how to be safer and more confident online.

The group’s work involves:
-Having a say on the work of the Program
-Supporting people with intellectual disability involved in the Digital Champion Program
-Support other people with intellectual disability
-Help peers and community groups to understand digital safety.

Learn more about this opportunity and apply now 👉 https://www.downsyndrome.org.au/national/about-us/our-work/digital-champions/