Entries by Coen Lammers

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Have your say in the 2020 General Elections

The 2020 General Election have been moved to October 17, which has affected the events organised by disability groups around New Zealand to get our community involved. Please check the dates below. The Electoral Commission is providing Easy To Read material to understand the process.  CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD.  This year there are also two […]

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Three actors light up the big screen and the stage 

By Coen Lammers   Actors with Down syndrome are becoming a hot commodity with three young female actors starring in two movies and a play in recent months.  Actors with Down syndrome are becoming a more regular feature on television and in movies, including Coronation Street, Shortland Street, and of course the current box office success Peanut Butter Falcon.  […]

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New guidelines game changer for teachers

NZDSA Media release The New Zealand Down Syndrome Association (NZDSA) has welcomed the first international guidelines for educating learners with Down syndrome which were released last week. These guidelines are an important document that will inform the education needs, inclusion and life possibilities of learners with Down syndrome. Down Syndrome International (DSi) has developed these […]

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Funding boost for high needs students

Media release from Associate Minister of Education Tracey Martin Students with high and complex learning needs, as well as their teachers and parents, will benefit from a substantial increase to Ongoing Resourcing Scheme (ORS) funding, Associate Education Minister Martin announced today. “Nearly $160 million will go towards helping these students by lifting their base support […]

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Oral health major challenge for people with DS

Linda te Kaat  attended the New South Wales Down Syndrome Health Conference and reports how oral health is a major issue to consider for caregivers. Oral health is the greatest health need for people with Down syndrome.  Oral disease shares common risk factors with cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.  What is dental […]

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NZDSA urges Govt to ignore Health and Disability review

The New Zealand Down syndrome community is urging the Government to ignore the recommendations in the recent Health and Disability Sector Review. “New Zealand has made terrific progress to enhance the quality of life for people with Down syndrome and other disabilities and these recommendations which place disability under the health umbrella would take us […]

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Thank you to all wonderful volunteers

This week is National Volunteer Week in which we honour the collective energies and mana of all volunteers in Aotearoa. They grow our people, open minds, open hearts and create joy. And no more so than during their essential contribution to communities during COVID 19. Well before COVID 19 our volunteers were cherishing and caring […]

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Parent connections provide invaluable support

By Susan Foster Cohen, Director of the Christchurch Early Intervention Trust and Champion Centre   Raising a child with Down syndrome can be a better experience for parents if they are able to share their experiences with other families going through a similar journey.   The Champion Centre’s model of early intervention has many essential elements that reflect best practice and one of them is […]