New Zealand Down Syndrome Association

Mission Statement
"To promote the participation of people with Down syndrome in their community"

The New Zealand Down Syndrome Association thanks all the hosts of T4T events in 2012. T4T is a catchy title for a concept which is centred on tea parties. T4T parties are an opportunity to raise awareness of Down syndrome in the community.

It is not too late to hold an event; you might like to have your own celebration in the school holidays. This year we have made it even easier for you to host a T4T event. The NZDSA has partnered with Everyday Hero to provide an online fundraising webpage for each T4T function. In just minutes you can create your own fundraising page. Visit the website for more details - http://www.everydayhero.co.nz/event/nzdsa2012_T4T_function

I would like raise $3 000.00 for the NZDSA. Show your support of World Down Syndrome Day and the NZDSA National Achievement Awards and make a donation. Each dollar makes a difference! Please click on this link http://www.everydayhero.co.nz/zandra_vaccarino to visit my fundraising page.

Please sponsor me or create your own sponsorship page follow this link http://www.everydayhero.co.nz/event/nzdsa2012_T4T_function. It only takes a few seconds. Spread the word and send to as many people as possible. Thank you very much.

Vincenzo and Zandra Vaccarino have created an online fundraising page and they hope to raise $3000.00 for a great 30th birthday present for the NZDSA. We hope that you will support this fundraising initiative.

Congratulations to the recipients of the 2012 NZDSA National Achievement Awards:

Left to right Edward Borkin, Mr Paul Gibson Commissioner with responsibility for disability issues, NZDSA patron and Governor-General, Lt Gen The Rt Hon Sir Jerry Mateparae, Thomas Sadgrove, Her Excellency, Lady Janine Mateparae and Michael Holdsworth.

The New Zealand Down Syndrome Association thanks you for your support. The votes are in... New Zealand Down Syndrome Association 47% = $4,700 (we will also receive an additional donation from Sovereign on their upcoming Sunshine Day!) Thank you to everyone who voted for NZDSA.

Down Syndrome International presents the Global Video Event "Let Us In - I Want To Learn!" in partnership with 68 countries for World Down Syndrome Day 2012.

The NZDSA is pleased to announce the launch of "Plan for the Future" Resource kit. The NZDSA has developed this resource to empower people with Down syndrome, their parents, family/whanau, professionals and future employers with knowledge, information and inspiration to support the journey from school to fully participating in adult life. This resource will assist all involved to create and nurture a plan which will enable people with Down syndrome to achieve their dreams and goals so that they can live the life that they have imagined. This resource contains generic material so it would be relevant to all ORRS funded students.

To order a copy of the resource pleas download a copy of the Plan for the Future DVD form and return to Linda te Kaat.

NZDSA Membership Database

The NZDSA would like to update our membership database. Please download the 'NZDSA Membership Details' form, complete all fields and return by post to NZDSA, P O Box 4142, Shortland St, Auckland 1140, fax (03) 360 2868 or email nzdsai@xtra.co.nz. Thank you!

NZDSA Resources

To order one of the following NZDSA resources, please click on the link to download the relevant form and return with payment to Linda te Kaat, National Administrator, NZDSA, P O Box 4142, Auckland. All enquiries phone 0800 693 724 press 2 or email nzdsai@xtra.co.nz.

Recordings of NZDSA 2010 "Planning for the Future Forum." $25 per DVD set including postage. Click here for more information or for the order form.
"Living with Down Syndrome" book. $5 including postage. Click here for more information or for the order form.
Transition Process DVD to Daycare, Kindy or School. $20 per resource. NZDSA members who have a child aged 3 - 6 are entitled to one free copy of the Transition to School resource. Click here for the order form. For more information see Announcing the Transition Process DVD
Plan For the Future Resource. $20 per DVD. NZDSA members who have a child aged 14 - 30 are entitled to one free copy of the DVD resource. Members with a child under 14 or over 30 years, or affiliate members can order the resource for $5.50 to cover postage. Please click here for the order form.

NZDSA wishes to Congratulate Gabriel O'Connell, Charlotte Elliot and Daniel Howard, winners of a Frances Clarke Memorial Award, an honour for young people with Down syndrome in the Wellington region. Gabriel was recognised for his dedication to football training, kicking goals and keeping up the morale of his team. Charlotte won an award for demonstrating independence at her first school camp and for devoting herself to her schoolwork, classmates and performing with StarJam. Daniel Howard won the trophy for his dedication to karate and for being a high achiever in drama and film-making. Visit the website for the full story - www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/5858472/Hard-work-pays-off.

The NZDSA would like to express a huge Thank you to the Great Lion Charity Ride team who cycled from Auckland to Wellington and raised more than $24,000 for the NZDSA. Lion will match all donations dollar for dollar. For more information, visit the website - www.everydayhero.co.nz/lion_charity_riders

A special thanks to Southern Stars Charitable Trust and those donors who made it possible for the NZDSA to host an Outdoor Camp at Merc Long Bay from the 20th Sept -2nd October 2011.

For information about upcoming trainings and seminars please open the pdf Trainings and Seminars for April - June 2012.

As many of you already know IHC has a wealth of information and support for young families. The IHC Library has one of the largest and most up to date collections of resources on all aspects of intellectual disability in New Zealand including communication, education, health, syndromes and family life. The library is free and open to anyone in New Zealand.

We would like to let you know about an exciting new project that IHC is undertaking with funding from The Freemasons Charity. As a way of supporting New Zealand families IHC are currently giving a free book to families with a baby or young child (up to age 12 years) with an intellectual disability. Currently the following books about Down Syndrome are on offer:

15 - 17 August 2012, Cape Town, South Africa. Down Syndrome South Africa and Down Syndrome International will be hosting the 11th World Down Syndrome Congress in Cape Town, South Africa from the 15-17 August 2012. The Congress will focus on the "Big Five" themes of RIGHTS, EDUCATION, SOCIAL PARTICIPATION, HEALTH and EMPLOYMENT. We are looking to receive papers from practitioners, professionals, researchers, parents, people with Down syndrome or anyone with an interest in Down syndrome. We are particularly interested in papers which focus on one or more of our "Big Five" themes. There are now REDUCED PRICES to attend the Congress.
Visit the website for more details - www.wdsc2012.org.za

The Governor-General, Rt Hon Sir Anand Satyanand, and Lady Susan Satyanand hosted a reception to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the New Zealand Down Syndrome Association at Government House in Wellington on 11 May 2011. Click to see photographs of the event.

The NZDSA would like to prepare an article for the NZDSA Journal marking milestones, events and occasions in its history. Please would you post or email photographs and written submissions to Zandra at Zandra NZDSA P O Box 4142 Auckland or national.coordinator@nzdsa.org.nz

The NZDSA would like to extend congratulations to Alex for his fantastic achievement. Please follow the link below to view. The NZDSA would also like to congratulate Duncan Armstrong who was a fellow contender for the youth award. tvnz.co.nz/attitude/s2010-awards-video-3941221

Need information about the disability sector response to the Canterbury earthquake?

Ministry of Health - Introducing the New Model for supporting disabled people

Disabled people want a good life and more choice and control over support they receive. After talking to disabled people, their families, providers and the wider disability sector, the Disability Support Services (DSS) Group at the Ministry of Health has developed a new model for disability support services. DSS are demonstrating this new model in Tauranga/Western Bay of Plenty over the next year, working with the local community to make sure the model works well.

What is different about the new model?
OLD WAY - Someone else makes decisions about what support you get and when you get it
NEW WAY - With support, you decide what's important to you to have a good life

This is the sort of book you buy your girl because you want to read it. The sort of movie you take her to see because you know the action will be great. Order from our website and show her you are the true romantic!!

It is a fantastic Christmas present that appeals to a wide audience and age group. $10 from every copy purchased will go towards the Auckland Down Syndrome Association. Our goal is to sell 1,000 copies to raise $10,000 for our Association.

Every book purchased gives you the chance to WIN a dream holiday for two on the tropical island of Vanuatu. How cool is that!!

Go to www.adsa.org.nz and click on "The Christening" for more information about the book.

This book examines what is understood about speech and language development for young people with Down syndrome and the principles of effective intervention and teaching support.

This is one of many books in the Down Syndrome Issues and Information Education Series. Further online editions will be available over the coming weeks.

Collection Of Evidence Of Practices That Prevent Disabled Children Fully Participating At Their Local School.

IHC is currently preparing a complaint to the Human Rights Commission against practices that exclude disabled children from full participation at their local school. Families are invited to participate in this complaint... more

Down Syndrome International has officially designated 21 March as World Down Syndrome Day. The date was chosen to signify the uniqueness of Down syndrome in the triplication (trisomy) of the 21st chromosome and is used synonymously with Down syndrome, hence the date 21/03.

What is T4T?
T4T is a catchy title for a concept which is centred on tea parties. Tea 4 Trisomy 21 refers to the third copy of chromosome 21and the date of World Down Syndrome Day. T4T parties will be an opportunity to raise awareness of Down syndrome in the community.

If you are interested in hosting a T4T event in your region in 2012, please register your interest so that we can send you a quick guide information pack.

A resource package for parents and educators who are transitioning children into Daycare, Kindy and School.

The Transition Process DVD follows the stories of the families featured in We welcome your Baby which is part of the New Parent Pack. It also introduces a few new families.

The NZDSA has put together a Transition to Daycare, Kindy and School Pack which consists of:

NZDSA members who have children with Down syndrome between the ages of 3-6 are entitled to one free copy of the DVD pack. Parents may request the Transition Pack from National office - please call Linda te Kaat, the National Administrator 0800 693 724 press 2 or email her.

Parents or educators who are not members of the NZDSA can purchase the packs for $20.00. Please contact Linda as well.

The Government has launched the Carers' Strategy and we have formally entered the five year Action Plan period. You can access the Strategy and Action Plan document by going to www.carers.net.nz and clicking the homepage Strategy button, which links directly to the document at MSD's website. Or you can access the online document at www.msd.govt.nz