New Zealand Down Syndrome Association

New Zealand Down Syndrome Association We are the National organisation representing the Down Syndrome community in New Zealand.

The NZDSA Virtual Conference is back, celebrating World Down Syndrome Month 20263rd – 21st October 2026TOGETHER AGAINST...
27/08/2026

The NZDSA Virtual Conference is back, celebrating World Down Syndrome Month 2026

3rd – 21st October 2026
TOGETHER AGAINST LONELINESS
Connection • Belonging • Participation • Human rights

Loneliness is more than a feeling.
For people with Down syndrome, having opportunities to build relationships, participate in their communities and live connected, meaningful lives is also a human rights issue.

This October, join the New Zealand Down Syndrome Association for a virtual conference exploring what helps people with Down syndrome build connection, belonging and community.

WHAT’S IN STORE?

Past favourite presenters are back!
Some are returning with new topics, while others are back by popular request to revisit conversations you have enjoyed before, with opportunities to take them further through the lens of connection and belonging.

We are also looking forward to welcoming new speakers!
Hear fresh perspectives, ideas and experiences from speakers across Aotearoa New Zealand and around the world.

EXPLORE THE CONVERSATION

Relationships • Puberty• Health • Education • Research & Data • Supported Decision Making • Siblings • Sleep • Arts • Sport • and much more!

How do these areas connect with belonging, participation, relationships and quality of life?

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE

Whether you are joining as a self-advocate, family member, sibling, professional or ally, there will be opportunities to learn, connect and share.

DON’T MISS OUT!

These sessions will not be recorded, so make a date in your calendar and join us live!
Bring your lunch for the lunchtime sessions or come along in your PJs for an evening session. Wherever you are, pull up a chair and join us for this special virtual event.

FREE TO ATTEND
3–21 OCTOBER 2026

Weekday lunchtime sessions
12:00 pm–1:00 pm

Evening sessions
7:30 pm–8:30 pm

Weekend sessions
4:00 pm–4:30 pm
4:30 pm–5:00 pm

Keep watch for the full programme and speaker announcements coming soon.

Your Voice Matters: Help Shape Better Oral Health ServicesSAMS would like to invite disabled young people (13-17 Years),...
23/08/2026

Your Voice Matters: Help Shape Better Oral Health Services

SAMS would like to invite disabled young people (13-17 Years), parents, and whānau to take part in a conversation about oral health services.

Who is this for?
✓ Disabled young people (13-17 Years)
✓ Parents
✓ Whānau

The review wants to find out:
✓ what is working well
✓ what is not working well
✓ how services could be better
✓ how more children and young people can get the care they need

Families and Whānau online hui 2:
Wednesday 26th August 6-8pm
Register your interest by contacting [email protected]

Congratulations to IHC New Zealand on the launch of Untapped Potential: The Employment Reality for People with Intellect...
18/08/2026

Congratulations to IHC New Zealand on the launch of Untapped Potential: The Employment Reality for People with Intellectual Disability.

NZDSA National Executive Officer Zandra Vaccarino joined the panel discussion and shared learnings from our partnership with Kindred to develop resources that help overcome barriers to employment for people with Down syndrome.

Our Career Workbook and Employer Resource Toolkit are available on the NZDSA website.

In the photo: Duncan Armstrong, a Strive member, holding the document, alongside Zandra Vaccarino and Shara Turner, Senior Advocate, IHC National Advocacy.

Working together to create more opportunities for people with Down syndrome to achieve their employment goals and reach their full potential.

Although Downlights has come to an end, we're excited to share that Jennifer Del Bel's commitment to the Down syndrome c...
16/08/2026

Although Downlights has come to an end, we're excited to share that Jennifer Del Bel's commitment to the Down syndrome community is continuing.

For more than seven years, Downlights created meaningful employment opportunities for people with Down syndrome. What many people may not know is that Jennifer also generously supported NZDSA, helping us deliver initiatives such as the NZDSA Virtual Conference and World Down Syndrome Day awareness activities.

Now, in her new career in real estate, Jennifer has committed to donating $500 from every property she sells to the New Zealand Down Syndrome Association. These generous donations will support the NZDSA Virtual Conference and the Auckland Down Syndrome Association's youth and whānau social events.

Thank you, Jennifer, for your generosity and ongoing commitment to people with Down syndrome and their whānau.

If you, or someone you know, is thinking about buying or selling a home, please consider Jennifer. By supporting her business, you'll also be supporting the Down syndrome community.

To find out more or get in touch, contact Jennifer Del Bel at [email protected].

We want to say a big thank you to our NZDSA members and the wider Down syndrome community who took the time to have thei...
14/08/2026

We want to say a big thank you to our NZDSA members and the wider Down syndrome community who took the time to have their say during the Disability Support Services Bill submission process.

Your voices matter.

More than 3,000 submissions were made on the Bill, and the Select Committee has now reported back with a number of suggested amendments following feedback from the disability community.

NZDSA is currently reading through the suggested amendments carefully so that we can understand what they mean for people with Down syndrome and their whānau.

We will continue to keep our community informed as we work through the changes.
Thank you to everyone who took the time to share your views and add your voice to this important process.

You can read the Government’s update here:
https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/disability-community-informs-improvements-dss-bill

Media statement:
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics/992169/government-announces-changes-to-disability-support-services-bill

We wanted to make our community aware of a National Day of Action taking place on Saturday 15 August 2026. Disabled peop...
14/08/2026

We wanted to make our community aware of a National Day of Action taking place on Saturday 15 August 2026.

Disabled people, whānau, allies and advocates are organising events around Aotearoa to share their concerns about the Disability Support Services Bill.

NZDSA is sharing this information so that people in our community know about the action and can find out more if they are interested.

You can find more information about the National Day of Action and events being organised around the country here:
https://sites.google.com/view/killthedssbill

Address

Auckland

Telephone

+64800693724

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when New Zealand Down Syndrome Association posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category