New Zealand Down Syndrome Association

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

The NZDSA thanks all the hosts of T4T events in 2013. 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.

Please support NZDSA's fundraising efforts by purchasing one of our first aid kits. For every kit sold, $12 will go towards NZDSA. Click for the First Aid Kit Information Sheet. Download a First Aid Kit Individual Order Form for more details. Please send your completed order forms and payment to Linda te Kaat, National Administrator, NZDSA, PO Box 4142, Auckland by Saturday 1st June 2013.

The NZDSA would like to express a huge Thank You to the 2013 Great Lion Charity Ride team who cycled from Christchurch to Queenstown from 20th - 23rd March 2013 and raised more than $21,000 for the NZDSA.

The NZDSA is selling a perpetual birthday/anniversary calendar for keeping important dates. Only $15 per calendar + postage costs, please download the NZDSA Calendar order form.

If you would like to request a copy of NZDSA's 2012 Annual Report please email Sharon at nzdsainfo@xtra.co.nz

The New Zealand Down Syndrome Association in collaboration with Geraldine Whatnell, has developed a new resource that will empower individuals with Down syndrome, their families and healthcare professionals to create positive hospital experiences.

To order a copy of the DVD please download the order form and send to Linda te Kaat, National Administrator, NZDSA, P O Box 4142, Auckland or email nzdsai@xtra.co.nz. For enquiries please phone 0800 693 724 ext 2. NZDSA members can order the resource at $10 to cover the cost of administration and postage. Non-members can order the resource at $20 including postage.

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.
For a full list of NZDSA resources click here to download the NZDSA Resources pdf.

Congratulations to the recipients of the 2013 NZDSA National Achievement Awards:

Click here to see the previous recipients of the World Down Syndrome Day NZDSA National Achievement Awards 2007 - 2012.

Click here to read about Our Achievers. If you have would like to share your achievements on this website please contact nzdsainfo@xtra.co.nz, we would love to hear from you.

The Patron of the New Zealand Down Syndrome Association is Lt Gen The Rt Hon Sir Jerry Mateparae, Governor-General of New Zealand.

Down Syndrome International presents the Global Video Event "Let Us In - I Want To Work!" in partnership with 62 countries for World Down Syndrome Day 2013. Please watch this video and help us create a single global voice for advocating for the rights, inclusion and wellbeing of people with Down syndrome on 21 March.

NZDSA Membership

Would you like to become a NZDSA Member? Becoming a member entitles you to receive the quarterly NZDSA Journal, resources and self-advocates have the opportunity to attend camps. For more information or to become a member email Linda at nzdsai@xtra.co.nz or phone 0800 NZDSAI (0800 693 724) or download and complete the NZDSA Membership Form here and return to NZDSA, P O Box 4142, Auckland.

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!

For information about upcoming trainings and seminars please download the pdf Trainings and Seminars 2013

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:

Press Release: Not for profits suspicious of Government decision to pay family carers

The Government's decision to allocate $23 million a year to family carers of adult children with disability needs seems positive, but it does not bear scrutiny, says the New Zealand Carers Alliance.

The Alliance, a coalition of 45 national non-profit organisations, says the Government's move will help a limited number of families.

The Government expects 1,600 people to be eligible. On those numbers, the $23 million is an average of $14,000 each. And the payment will be earned at the minimum wage.

"We had hoped this announcement would be a thoughtful first step to recognise the work of family carers, but it seems anyone not in the 1,600 group is unlikely to get anything," says Carers NZ Chair Roger Palairet.

The Bill introduced into Parliament as part of this week's Budget package is designed to shut down any further claims or entitlements.

"No wonder carers are disappointed," says John Forman, Chair of the Carers Alliance.

Payment for family carers is an issue governments are considering worldwide. With more people living for longer in the community with higher health or disability support needs than past generations, assistance for those providing care also has to advance, they say.

"Often family carers have had to sacrifice their own career opportunities and paid employment to provide intensive support for family members," says Mr Palairet. "Their lives can easily spiral into poverty, compromising their wellbeing and their ability to provide long-term support to loved ones."

"The aim of the carer movement in New Zealand and around the world is to increase the recognition and respect for family carers, who are the biggest health workforce. These Budget decisions responding to the Government's longstanding breach of the Human Rights Act shows we have a long way to go to achieve proper recognition and respect for family carers in New Zealand."

Carers NZ and the Carers Alliance have called on all political parties to ensure fair long-term solutions for the challenges of ageing, caring, and disability support.

If you're receiving a benefit from Work and Income, there are some changes occurring from 15 July 2013 you need to know about. You can find out more by reading Changes for people on Sickness Benefit or FAQ's Invalids Benefit and FAQ's Sickness Benefit.

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

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, please register your interest so that we can send you a quick guide information pack.

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