Primary aims:
• To inform and support families/whanau whose lives have
been changed by Down syndrome
• To promote and advocate for positive attitudes
• To promote the rights and inclusion of people with Down
syndrome
• To review policies and lobby government, and other agencies
The NZDSA offers:
• new parent support - through trained support parents
• national coordinator
• regional groups - activities throughout thirteen centres
in New Zealand including coffee mornings, family events, guest
speakers and individual support and advocacy
• newsletter - a quarterly update of news, information
and stories, sent to all members
• information packs - for schools, professionals, family
and friends
• website www.nzdsa.org.nz
• freephone number 0800 NZDSAI - so parents and professionals
can easily be linked to support parents or a central information
number
Southern Stars Charitable Trust is currently running a phone appeal for NZ Down Syndrome Association
Southern Stars Charitable Trust is currently running a phone fundraiser. The appeal this year is twofold:
- We would like to host an ADVENTURE CAMP for young persons. Its a camp where young people with Down Syndrome will have an opportunity to develop their self esteem and build a positive self image, along with equipping them with skills on how to deal with bullying & teasing.
- Seeking sponsorship for two booklets called "Hospital Passport". One is to provide guidelines on how to communicate with a child with Down syndrome in hospital. The other is a picture booklet which prepares a child with Down syndrome on what they will experience when they go into hospital and undergo medical procedures. Just over half the children born with Down Syndrome will experience many more hospital visits than usual and this can be stressful and traumatic. Your kind donation would give us the opportunity to produce and distribute this well needed resource.
For all enquiries please contact the NZDSA Fundraising Office, Southern Stars Charitable Trust: Ph 9 361 4515, Fax: 9 361 4516, Email: nzdsa@southernstars.org.nz
Please make cheques payable to : "N.Z.D.S.A" post to
Southern Stars P O Box 8635, Auckland 1150
NZDSA National Forum 2010 - Planning for the Future
The NZDSA invites all parents and professionals to join us on Saturday the 11th September 2010 for a day of sharing, learning and celebrating.
The Planning for the Future Forum will cover a spectrum of issues relevant to the health, education and development of children, young people and adults with Down syndrome.
For more information see the following attachments:
Education workshops that the regional Down Syndrome groups are hosting
In the Group, and making friends
Wednesday, 23 June BOPDSA are hosting an evening presentation by Dr Jude MacArthur and Jane Lyle in Mt Mauganui.
For more information see the following attachments:
Learning Better Together Workshop
Thursday, 24 June the Ministry of Education in conjunction with the Bay of Plenty Down Syndrome Association are hosting a workshop in Tauranga
For more information see the following attachments:
Towards a better understanding of students with Down syndrome
Friday 23rd and Saturday 24th July in Christchurch. College of Education, Dovedale Ave, Ilam
For more information see the following attachments:
"Supporting Students with Down Syndrome & Similar Chromosomal Disorders, Global Developmental Delay & Intellectual Disability Dates"
Monday 26th & Tuesday 27th July 2010
For more information see the following attachments:
eReadingPro Teaching the World to Read
Denise MacDonald (Canada) in association with the NZ Down Syndrome Association will be offering workshops at the 2010 Forum in Auckland and then presenting throughout the country.
At the workshops you will learn:
- Reasons why your child may currently be struggling with reading
- The importance of teaching your child to read early- especially if you child has Down syndrome, autism , dyslexia, or other learning disabilities;
- How to create and use flashcards effectively to teach reading;
- How to teach your child to progress from reading single words to couplets, phrases , sentences and books;
- How to implement a fun reading program for you and your child.
AUCKLAND- Tuesday 14th September contact: Christel van Baalen clo@adsa.org.nz 09-6360351
TAURANGA- Wednesday 15th September contact: Blance Prentice bopdsa.Prentice@gmail.com
WELLINGTON- Thursday 16th September contact: Carmen Slater: gerard.carmen@paradise.net.nz 04-9055323
CHRISTCHURCH- Friday 17th September contact: Kaye Young cdsainc@gmail.com 03-3296187
For more information see the following attachments:
Start Strong
Thursday 1 July, IHC and Parent & Family Resource Centre are co-hosting a children's rights seminar in Auckland.
For more information see the following attachments:
Guide for Carers Booklet
The Government's Guide for Carers is a free booklet for people supporting a loved one or friend.
It describes the various kinds of government help available in New Zealand so you can more easily find financial and practical support.
If you, or the organisation you work for, would like copies of the Guide, please phone 0800 777 797 and they will send the booklets to you for distribution.
You can also download A Guide for Carers at our website, www.carers.net.nz
Workshop - Balanced Literacy Instruction for Children with Complex Communication Needs
Assistive Technology Alliance New Zealand (ATANZ) are hosting two 2-day workshops.
12 and 13 July Auckland hosted by Massey University
15 and 16 July Christchurch hosted by the University of Canterbury
More information is available on the ATANZ website: www.atanz.org.nz
For more information see the following attachments:
"Making It Work" part of the "Journey to Work" project
As part of the Journey to Work project CCS Disability Action has launched an online discussion forum called 'Making It Work' to provide a place for people with disabilities to discuss their experiences of education and employment.
For more information see the following attachments:
A draft of the chapter on "The Rights of Disabled People" is now available for comment and feedback
The consultation period will run for eight weeks until Friday 9th July 2010.
For more information see the following attachments:
Crafting a Future - Hosted by Belonging Initiative
This workshop is specifically designed for families and is relevant to any person who is concerned with the well being and future of a person with a disability over the long term.
For more information see the following attachments:
No One Alone Conference "That which makes our life worth living."
20th - 22nd September 2010 at Waipuna Hotel and Conference Centre, Auckland, New Zealand
For more information see the following attachments:
Speech and language book online
Speech, language and communication for individuals with Down syndrome - An overview, by Sue Buckley, is now available in full online. www.down-syndrome.org/information/language/overview/?dm_i=319430191
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
21 March - World Down Syndrome Day
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.
World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD)
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If you are interested in hosting a T4T event in your region in 2010,
please register your interest so that we can send you a quick guide information pack.
Please contact Zandra 0800 693 724 or national.coordinator@nzdsa.org.nz
Announcing the Transition Process DVD
A resource package for parents and educators who are transitioning children into Daycare, Kindy and School.
The NZDSA's objective for this DVD is:
- to provide parents with information and support to facilitate a successful transition process
- to support and present information to educators involved with the transition process
- to provide a generic resource explaining the Ongoing and Reviewable Resourcing Scheme (ORRS) and Transition, and
- to raise awareness and promote inclusion.
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 DVD consists of the following sections:
- Transition overview (7mins)
- Our stories (33mins)
- ORRS Funding (10mins)
- Daycare and Kindy (15mins)
- Dual Diagnosis (8mins)
- Educators' Perspectives (15mins).
The NZDSA has put together a Transition to Daycare, Kindy and School Pack which consists of:
- The Transition Process DVD
- the booklet Starting School by the Ministry of Education
- a poster Code for New Zealand Schools by IHC.
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.
Carers Strategy Update
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
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