African Down Syndrome Network

14/08/2026

Because She Believed
Honouring the Women Who Changed the Story of Down Syndrome in South Africa

Join DSSA and the remarkable women who made a difference, broke barriers, and paved the way for parents and families across South Africa.

Listen as they share their personal journeys and reflect on how they advocated for the rights, inclusion, and equal opportunities of persons with Down syndrome.

📅 Saturday, 15 August 2026
🕙 10:00
💻 Online via Zoom

Scan the QR code on the poster to register, or click here:
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/M9mfxCBjRU-v6fKKDS2MMQ

Let us honour the women who believed change was possible—and made it happen.

14/08/2026

14/08/2026

We all experience anxiety and stress from time to time. We may feel anxious about an exam at school, new job, medical appointment, disagreement with a friend, or other similar situations. This is typical. However, if anxiety interferes with our day-to-day lives on a long-term basis, an anxiety disorder may have developed.

There are several types of anxiety disorders. Some that we see most commonly at the Adult Down Syndrome Center are generalized anxiety disorder, agoraphobia, panic disorder, and selective mutism. Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) was previously classified as an anxiety disorder but now is classified separately. However, many people with OCD also have an anxiety disorder. That appears to be the case for people with Down syndrome who have OCD, too.

In the article linked below, Brian Chicoine, MD, discusses generalized anxiety disorder in individuals with Down syndrome, provides resources for supporting individuals with Down syndrome who are experiencing anxiety, and shares a link to information about other types of anxiety disorders.
🔗 https://adultdownsyndrome.org/resources/generalized-anxiety-disorder/

14/07/2026

14/07/2026

Proprioception is part of the sensory system. Proprioceptive sensors in our muscles and joints give feedback so we know where our bodies are in space.

Proprioceptive sensors work differently in people with Down syndrome which can impact:
➡ Motor coordination (they may appear "clumsy")
➡ Motor planning (they may have difficulty carrying out a movement even though they know how to do it)
➡ Movement grading (using too much or too little force when doing a movement)

Providing input to the muscles and joints or proprioceptive input can improve proprioception. Ways to get proprioceptive input include physical activity, bear hugs, doing chores, pushing a cart, weighted blankets, joint compression, massage, and more.

Katie Frank, PhD, OTR/L, provides more information on proprioception in people with Down syndrome in the article linked below.

🔗 https://adultdownsyndrome.org/resources/proprioceptive-input/

13/06/2026

By Staff Writer Acting Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga called for a shift from symbolic inclusion to meaningful representation of persons with Down syndrome in decision-making processes. The COSP19 sid…

13/06/2026

"We must hold governments accountable and push for the promises of the CRPD to become realities in people's everyday lives." – Sue Swenson, President of Inclusion International.

At this year's Civil Society Forum, we marked 20 years of the CRPD.

Too many people with intellectual disabilities are still living in institutions. Too many people still do not get to make decisions about their own lives.

We believe that to change this, disability organisations need to work together with other movements: women's groups, youth groups, and refugee organisations.

When we stand together, our voices are stronger.

12/06/2026

Our self-advocates have spoken. they don't only want a seat at the table, they want their voices to be included in discussions- because decisions made for persons with disabilities, it affects their lives. Give them a voice at the table.

12/06/2026

Down Syndrome South Africa in collaboration with the Africa Down Syndrome Network hosted a successful COSP side event under the title: “Nothing About Us Without Us - Self-Advocates moving from Participation to Representation”
The side event focused on a strong message from self-advocates from Africa that persons with intellectual disabilities should be recognised as leaders, advocates and decision-makers as outlined in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities UNCRPD.

Thank you to all the presenters, supporters and to the South African Permanent Mission for hosting us and Disability Rights Fund for funding the event.