Down Syndrome WA

19/06/2026

Are you an emerging content maker with disability? Do you have a burning story that you have always wanted to research and explore?

The ABC is partnering with International Day of People with Disability - Australia to recognise the 5.5 million Australians with disability.

A series of factual stories and content will be commissioned by the ABC to be published and broadcast across ABC platforms for IDPwD on December 3.

More info at https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-06-10/abc-looking-for-storytellers-for-idpwd-2026/106616092

Applications close midnight Wednesday, July 8.

If you are an emerging content maker or journalist with disability and have a story to tell, now is your chance to work with the ABC to tell it.

19/06/2026

Kids Club met up for a pizza cooking class with Fyieverybodycooks !

It was amazing to see everyone getting involved and having fun in the kitchen.

A special shoutout to our incredible head chefs, Debbie and Daniel, for their incredible improvising on the day and treating us to some truly delicious pizza.

19/06/2026

Strategic Planning - WE WANT and NEED YOUR INPUT :)

We know what you are thinking. "Lots of other people will have said what I'm thinking" "I'm sure there has been lots of feedback"

So truth....... out of 10 offered session only 4 people have attend to share their input on the Strategic Plan. Their input was fantastic, and we would love yours too. Your views are IMPORTANT!!

Saturdays session has been cancelled due to no bookings.

There are ONLY 2 SESSIONS LEFT
Please support all members by having your say on the future for the organisation.

Tuesday 23rd Online at 7pm - 8.30pm
Trybooking LINK: https://www.trybooking.com/DMRPU

Tuesday 30th Inperson at DSWA Office 11.30am-1pm
Trybooking LINK: https://www.trybooking.com/DMRPS

Please join us
Cassandra

18/06/2026

Our Friends for Life members had an amazing time with Dance Heroes on the weekend!

17/06/2026

By popular request we have scheduled this weekend General Strategic planning session.

Currently bookings are so low we may have to cancel.

NOW is the time to have your say, share your thoughts and help the DSWA board shape the future of the Association for the next 40 years.

Please join us on Saturday morning from 9am - 10.30
Bookings essential to ensure we know you are coming.

https://www.trybooking.com/DMRQO

17/06/2026

Darren Peterson from Take Charge Wellbeing is running another community Mental Health First Aid course with Maylands Rotary for only $50.
Many of the DSWA staff attended this workshop last year and they can highly recommend it.

So many people have asked when is the next Mental Health First Aid training and here it is!

Darren Peterson from Take Charge Wellbeing is a member of our club and he provides this training for the cost of materials only. He is a brilliant facilitator and the course delivers its promise.

Sign up using the QR code below before the course is full.

16/06/2026

Today, the Senate Committee was expected to report on the proposed changes to the NDIS, but the deadline has been extended to Friday 19 June.

This delay adds to the uncertainty for NDIS participants and raises concerns that there may not be enough time for proper debate on such important reforms.

This has been one of the largest inquiries, with more than 4,500 submissions and three full days of public hearings. The message has been clear and consistent: the Bill should not pass in its current form.

The Opposition and the Greens have raised the same concerns. The disability community has spoken strongly about the risks this legislation presents.

We now await the Committee’s report and hope it reflects what we have heard so clearly in recent weeks.

Our concerns must not be ignored — people with disability must be at the centre of the NDIS.

16/06/2026

While supporting Charlotte at COSP in New York, ACT Down Syndrome and Intellectual Disability CEO Shannon was given the opportunity to address the United Nations General Forum. She spoke about proposed NDIS legislative changes and the impact these changes will have on people with disability in Australia.

11/06/2026

ACT Disability Advocate Charlotte Bailey has spent the last few days at the United Nations in New York. She has been attending COSP - the Convention of State Parties, representing ACT Down Syndrome and Intellectual Disability, Down syndrome organisations from around Australia and Down Syndrome Australia.

11/06/2026

If you would like to have your say about your experience of navigating the WA Education System, please see this post from ABC Perth

WA teachers will be taught how to better support children with higher needs amid rising rates of disability diagnoses, after a report found public schools needed to do more.

STORY: https://ab.co/4g5HtA0

The state government has committed $16 million over the next four years for a professional learning hub that will include mandatory inductions for special needs education assistants and disability modules for graduate teachers.

"We have more children with complex needs. We know that more children are in the system with a diagnosis of disability," Education Minister Sabine Winton said.

A group of parents of children with disabilities says that while any focus on training is good, there is an urgent need for laws to change, too.

WA is the only state in the nation with a provision that allows a principal to deny enrolment to a student if a school does not have an "appropriate educational program", which the review found could be "a barrier for students with disability to enrol at their local school".

Do you have experience navigating the WA education with a child with disabilities? Or are you a teacher experienced in educating children with disabilities at a public school? We'd like to hear from you for a story we are working on. Let us know below 👇💬 Or get in contact with us via Messenger 📩: https://bit.ly/messageABCPerth