ACT Down Syndrome and Intellectual Disability

10/12/2025

We are off to Sydney on Friday night for the AAustralian Human Rights CommissionAwards. We want to wish Charlotte (ACT Self Advocate and Down Syndrome Australia Employment Ambassador) the best of luck! Check out the video below to hear Charlotte's message about Human Rights!

To mark Human Rights Days we asked some of our 2025 Australian Human Rights Awards finalists to tell us what human rights mean to them.

04/12/2025

Are you looking for a suitable venue for your 2026 meetings, workshops or group activities?

ACT Down Syndrome & Intellectual Disability (ACTDSID) have a Hall and Meeting Room available for hire in PEARCE at the Pearce Community Centre.

Hall:
📍Located in Building 2, Level 1
📍Capacity and seating for up to 25 people
📍Suitable for meetings, workshops, dance classes & other recreational activities
📍Smart TV & whiteboards
📍Fully equipped kitchenette

Jamie's Place - Meeting Room:
📍Located in Building 1, Ground floor
📍Capacity and seating for up to 12 people
📍Suitable for meetings and workshops
📍Smart TV & whiteboards
📍Fully equipped kitchenette

For more information and to find out about availability please contact ACTDSID on (02) 6290 0656 or email admin@actdsid.org.au.

03/12/2025

🌟 Happy International Day of People with Disability 2025! 🌟

Today we join communities across Australia and around the world in celebrating International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD) - a day dedicated to recognising the achievements, contributions, and rights of people with disability, and to promoting a more inclusive society for all.

We kicked off the day bright and early at EY Canberra, where Charlotte and Shannon had the pleasure of presenting and sharing insights about inclusion, accessibility, and the importance of meaningful opportunities for people with intellectual disability. It was wonderful to present alongside Carers ACT and to hear more about the wonderful programs that they running to support carers in Canberra. We’re grateful for EY’s warm welcome and their commitment to fostering inclusive workplaces and communities.

IDPwD is an important reminder that inclusion isn’t a one day event, it’s an ongoing responsibility and a collective effort. Let’s continue to champion accessibility, celebrate diverse voices, and work together towards a more inclusive Australia.

27/11/2025

Good Things Foundation Australia and Down Syndrome Australia are looking for new Digital Champions!

Digital Champions are paid for their work and are located all across Australia, this means you can work from anywhere!

For more information about what the job is and how you can apply please check out the post below!

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/

26/11/2025

Have you had a pathology test in the past 12 months?

The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care and Health Care Consumers' Association Inc want to hear about your experience.

Join an online focus group to share your thoughts and help shape new National Pathology Standards that aim to improve the safety and quality of pathology services. Adults (18+) who've used a pathology service in the last 6-12 months and carers are welcome to join

Date: Monday 1st December 2025
Time: 1:00-2:30pm (online via Teams)
Participants will receive a $100 gift voucher for their time.

Register your interest here: https://members.hcca.org.au/civicrm/mailing/url/?u=2502&qid=34372

26/11/2025

✨ GOOD NEWS – TRIVIA TICKETS EXTENDED! 🎉

Missed out on getting your ticket? Don’t panic – you’ve got 24 more hours!

🕔 Ticket sales now close 5:00pm tomorrow
🎟️ If you forgot to grab yours, this is your chance – jump on it now before they’re gone for good!

https://events.humanitix.com/trivia-night-st5f8m98

26/11/2025

Recently, Kura joined an Inclusion Australia working group, developing a Self Advocacy Knowledge Hub for all people with intellectual disability across Australia.

While this was the last meeting before Christmas this year, Kura will continue to meet with the group next year to share his thoughts as a young advocate from the ACT.

Keep up the good work Kura!

25/11/2025

Did you know?
The ACT Government releases a newsletter every month to keep you up to date with what’s happening around Canberra!

It includes:
✨ Local events
🚧 Roadworks and changes
📢 Community updates and important info

🙌 Best part?
The newsletter is also available in Easy Read, making it more accessible and easier to understand for everyone in our community.

Our Canberra Easy Read Editions

23/11/2025

🎉 Don’t miss out – ticket sales close Wednesday26 November! 🎉

Join us on Friday 28 November, from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm at Canberra Southern Cross Club – Woden for the ultimate trivia showdown, hosted by ACT Down Syndrome & Intellectual Disability in celebration of International Day of People with Disability!

This is your final chance to secure tickets before they close.

✨ Why you need to book TODAY:
📍 Inclusive, fun and welcoming – all ages & abilities.
📍 Delicious light snacks included, drinks available at the bar.
📍 Exciting prizes for the sharpest trivia minds.

🎟️ Just $25 per person or $200 for a table of 10 – rally your friends, family, or workmates and lock in your team before ticket sales end on 26 November.

📆 Friday 28 November 2025
🕡 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
📍 Canberra Southern Cross Club – Woden
👉 Secure your spot now: https://events.humanitix.com/trivia-night-st5f8m98

Tag your trivia team, share with someone who loves a challenge, and let's make this a night full of laughs, fun facts and community spirit! 🥳🌟

Get ready for some exciting games, great company, and some Trivia. Let's celebrate inclusion and the International Day of People with Disabilities together!

21/11/2025

Time’s running out to secure your tickets!

RSVPs close Wednesday 26 November, so don’t miss out on your spot at Canberra’s ultimate trivia showdown!
Join us on Friday 28 November from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm at Canberra Southern Cross Club – Woden as we celebrate International Day of People with Disability with a fun and inclusive trivia night hosted by ACT Down Syndrome & Intellectual Disability.

✨ Why you need to book NOW:
📍 Inclusive event – all ages & abilities welcome!
📍 Light snacks provided, drinks available at the bar
📍 Prizes for the top trivia minds!
📍 Tickets only $25 pp or $200 for a table of 10 – get your team together before it’s too late!

🥳 Bring your friends, family, coworkers or assemble your trivia dream team – let’s make it a night of laughs, fun facts and community spirit!

📆 Event date: Friday 28 November 2025
🕡 Time: 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm AEDT
📍 Location: Canberra Southern Cross Club – Woden

👉 Book before 26 November:

Get ready for some exciting games, great company, and some Trivia. Let's celebrate inclusion and the International Day of People with Disabilities together!

20/11/2025

📣 Last week we headed to Sydney for the ASID - Australasian Society for Intellectual Disability Conference 2025!

Shannon and Gemma spent a few days soaking up insights from people with disability, families, researchers, service providers and more - exploring what’s happening in the intellectual disability space across Australia and around the world! 🌏💡

It was also a fantastic opportunity to reconnect with colleagues from other peak bodies and DPOs. Always inspiring to share ideas and keep pushing for better outcomes together. 🤝✨