ACT Down Syndrome and Intellectual Disability

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ACT Down Syndrome and Intellectual Disability Providing information and support to people with intellectual disability in the ACT Region

ACTDSID Vision and Mission 2020-2025

Vision
ACT Down Syndrome & Intellectual Disability leads the way in building an inclusive community for people with Down syndrome and intellectual disabilities. Mission
ACTDSID works with individuals and families through lifelong engagement to enable them to reach their full potential as active and contributing members of the wider community. ACTDSID collaborates and builds relationships with business, government and community organisations to create better outcomes for all of society.

Day 19 of celebrating World Down Syndrome Awareness month! Today we would like to highlight the fabulous dance company, ...
20/10/2026

Day 19 of celebrating World Down Syndrome Awareness month! Today we would like to highlight the fabulous dance company, Stella Company and The Chamaeleon Collective.

Building inclusiveness through dance in Canberra!

To find out more about The Chameleon Collective please click on the link: https://www.thestellarcompany.com/chamaeleon-team

Day 18 of celebrating World Down Syndrome Awareness month! Today we would like to remind everyone about Congress!World ...
19/10/2026

Day 18 of celebrating World Down Syndrome Awareness month! Today we would like to remind everyone about Congress!

World Down Syndrome Congress (WDSC) is held every three years. The last WDSC was held in Brisbane in 2024 and next year's Congress will be in Argentina! If you are interested in attending or just want some more information on WDSC, check out the Down Syndrome International page: https://ds-int.org/world-down-syndrome-congress/

Day 18 of celebrating World Down Syndrome Awareness month! We want to end this incredible month with a great party for a...
18/10/2026

Day 18 of celebrating World Down Syndrome Awareness month! We want to end this incredible month with a great party for all our members. Join us for Halloween night for a non-spooky all abilities disco!

There will be prizes for the Best Costume and Best Group Costume, so make sure to dress up with your friends and family.

This is an all-ages event and is open to anyone wanting to have a fun time.

🦇When: Friday 30th October 2026, 6:00pm - 8:00pm

🎃Where: Majura Community Hall, 2 Rosevar Place, Dickson

👻Cost: $10.00 per ticket or $20.00 for families (+ GST and Humanitix Booking fee, 100% of the booking fee goes towards a charitable cause chosen by Humanitix).

Your ticket allows you to bring a support person at no cost. Group pricing is available upon request, please contact the office to organise.

Included in the price of your ticket are light snacks for you and your support person.

To attend please purchase your tickets by October 29th, 2026.

As this is a family event, we are unable to provide individual support. Very limited supervision will be provided so it is essential that support people attend.

Please ensure each participant has appropriate support/ supervision to have a wonderful and safe time!

To attend click on the link provided - https://events.humanitix.com/all-abilities-halloween-disco-4y7b6tm9

Day 17 of celebrating World Down Syndrome Awareness month! Happy 30th Birthday Confident Speakers! David Williams has d...
17/10/2026

Day 17 of celebrating World Down Syndrome Awareness month! Happy 30th Birthday Confident Speakers!

David Williams has dedicated 3 decades to empowering people with Down syndrome to speak up for themselves! Over 30 years ago he realised that traditional public speaking programs were not always suitable or welcoming for people with Down syndrome so he decided to use his skills and passion for inclusion to create a group where everyone would feel welcome, supported and empowered! Each month when the group meets, members are encouraged to deliver a speech or presentation on a pre-selected topic. David and the group members are supportive and encouraging and members with a variety of communication styles and levels of literacy and welcomed and embraced. There is also a social aspect to the group and everyone looks forward to catching up over supper before the meeting begins.

The group meets on the last Thursday of every month at 7.00pm at the Pearce Community Centre and its free to join. If you would like further information or are interested in joining Confident Speakers, please contact [email protected] for further details.

Listen to David speak here:
https://www.downsyndrome.org.au/voice/2019/08/01/confident-speakers-program-reaps-awards/

Here is a recent article you might like to read:
https://disabilityinsights.com.au/articles/empowering-voices-david-williams-and-the-confident-speakers-program/

Day 16 of celebrating World Down Syndrome Awareness month! ACT Down Syndrome - Flashback!If you have been a member for a...
16/10/2026

Day 16 of celebrating World Down Syndrome Awareness month! ACT Down Syndrome - Flashback!

If you have been a member for a while, you might remember the 'The Alderson Awards'!

In 1988, Sue and David Alderson welcomed baby Kate into the world! Kate was born with Down syndrome and lived only a few shorts weeks. In memory of their beautiful daughter and in gratitude for the support they received from the parent support volunteers of the ACT Down Syndrome Association, the Alderson Awards were created.

Over the years, the Alderson Awards have recognised the achievements of people with Down syndrome and the community that supports them. We have shared some wonderful experiences with our members through the awards and celebrated achievements big and small! We hosted our last Alderson Awards night before the pandemic and you never know, perhaps we could see a return of the ACT Down syndrome community's night of nights sometime in the future!

Thank you to Sue and David Alderson for being an active part in the Canberra Down syndrome community for all these years. The memory of Kate Louise lives on through your ongoing support, encouragement and friendship.

It is carers week. A time to celebrate you and all the additional things you do for your loved one.We invite you to take...
15/10/2026

It is carers week. A time to celebrate you and all the additional things you do for your loved one.

We invite you to take a moment with us to breathe and relax. Join us for our special event on Saturday 17th with Unison Harp Yoga.

The harp is ancient instrument with unique acoustic qualities and has long been associated with the healing arts. In each harp yoga session Alison creates music that complements Jo’s yoga sequence to help promote feelings of wellbeing, deep rest, and comfort. Classes are open to all abilities, with gentle flowing yoga sequences and adjustments offered to create an inclusive practice, connecting individuals and community.

Click here to register - https://events.humanitix.com/carers-week-wellbeing-time-out-for-carers

Day 15 of celebrating World Down Syndrome Awareness month! Today we wanted to highlight a book created by our amazing Ad...
15/10/2026

Day 15 of celebrating World Down Syndrome Awareness month! Today we wanted to highlight a book created by our amazing Advocacy Reference Group 📖

The book titled, "Everyone Has Human Rights" was created by our Advocacy Reference Group to help inform the children of today that we should all be treated fairly and kindly. This is an important message that the Advocacy Reference Group wanted to spread to future generations.

ACT Down Syndrome and Intellectual Disability has mailed the book out to all the public schools in the ACT, handed the book out to members of the ACT Legislative Assembly and the NDIS. We wanted to make sure that we share the Advocacy Reference Groups important message far and wide.

If you would like a copy of our book, please reach out to Gus at [email protected].

Day 14 of celebrating World Down Syndrome Awareness month! Today we would like to celebrate our amazing Maths crew.Our M...
14/10/2026

Day 14 of celebrating World Down Syndrome Awareness month! Today we would like to celebrate our amazing Maths crew.

Our Maths class gets together every week on improving their maths skills, supporting each other in increasing their numeracy and financial literacy.

Just like our Science class, the Maths class is taught by the fabulous Dr. Vanessa de Kauwe who is always trying to make the maths taught relevant to everyday living

Next week we will have a special maths session with representatives from CommBank coming in to do a little workshop with the class all around navigating the banks, budgeting and how to be on the lookout for scams 💸

Please reach out to the team if this is something you may be interested in joining.

Thank you again to Sam Chapman for the great photos!

Day 13 of celebrating World Down Syndrome Awareness month! Today we are wanting to highlight the amazing group of Canber...
13/10/2026

Day 13 of celebrating World Down Syndrome Awareness month! Today we are wanting to highlight the amazing group of Canberra based parents in the Bubs and Beyond group.

The Bubs and Beyond group highlights how important connections and sharing experiences with each other truly is 🤝

To join Bubs and Beyond please click on the following link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/791681164352925

Address

Building 2, Pearce Community Centre
Canberra, ACT
2607

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 4pm
Tuesday 9am - 4pm
Wednesday 9am - 4pm
Thursday 9am - 4pm
Friday 9am - 4pm

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