The Disability Information and Resource Centre

Buddy Walk is coming! Register, set up a fundraising page, or sponsor a buddy online – now easier than ever before!

Online registration has now opened for Buddy Walk 2011! Be sure to register before October 1 to take advantage of the early bird registration rate.

Buddy Walk is an international walk-a-thon style event aimed at raising funds for and awareness of Down syndrome. There are 13 walks being held across Australia in 2011, with most walks coinciding with Down Syndrome Awareness Week. Buddy Walk brings together people with Down syndrome and their ‘buddies’ – everyone from friends and family to teachers, politicians and co-workers – to raise funds for education, support and advocacy programs provided by Down Syndrome Victoria.

Registration to take part in the walk is $5 per adult (persons aged 17 and under are free).

To register to participate, set up your fundraising page and sponsor a buddy, click here.

For further information on any Buddy Walk event, please phone 1300 658 873 or email fundraising@dsav.asn.au.

Investigating the relationship between quality of life and career development of parents of children with Down Syndrome and Autism Spectrum Disorder

Friday, June 24, midday 1pm, Room N220B, Sturt North Buildings, Flinders University

Viviene Mangos, Honours Research Proposal

This study plans to build on previous research undertaken by the author in 2009 regarding the Quality of life (QOL) and career development of parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). A rationale for this investigation will be presented followed by a discussion of relevant theoretical frameworks and a proposed research methodology ..

Reducing Anxiety in Professional Carers of People with Dementia

Friday, July 8, midday 1pm, Room N220A, Sturt North Buildings, Flinders University

Graham Webber, PhD Progress Seminar

This study builds on a previous MSc thesis that identified the high levels of use of complementary therapies in the treatment and management of people with dementia. The researcher plans to examine the perceived effects of a complementary therapy (Reiki) in reducing the anxiety of professional care-givers who are supporting people with dementia. A report will be given on the planning to date and discussion of important issues will be encouraged by the audience.

Paul Russel is the father of Joseph, aged 9, who has Down Syndrome. He has written an article on the current euthanasia debate and how it relates to those with disability.

You can read it here.

Dr Nora Shields and Prof Nick Taylor are research physiotherapists working for La Trobe University. They are running a study to find out if community-based programs for young people with Down Syndrome can improve in their strength and performance in certain physical activities.

What is involved?

Your child would be allocated at random to either an exercise group or an arts/social group.

The exercise group participants will be teamed up with a student mentor. This will be a physiotherapy student who will exercise with your child at a local gym, twice a week for 10 weeks for approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour. The days and times of training will be decided in consultation with you.

The arts/social group participants will also be teamed up with a student mentor. This will be a physiotherapy student who will meet with your child at your home or a community venue, once a week for 10 weeks for approximately 90 minutes. The days and times of these sessions will be decided in consultation with you.

The strength of your child will be measured before they start the program, after it finishes and again 3 months after the program.

How much will it cost?

The researchers will cover the cost of both programs and will contribute a small amount towards the cost of travel associated with the project.

Who will be taking part?

Young people with Down Syndrome aged 14-22 years and physiotherapy students.

Who is organising this study?

Dr Nora Shields and Prof Nick Taylor are research physiotherapists working for La Trobe University. Elin Wee is a physiotherapist who is the research officer in this project. They are working together with Down Syndrome Victoria to run this project.

Further Information

If you are interested in taking part or have any further questions contact Elin Wee on (03) 9479 5258 or e.wee@latrobe.edu.au

An Invitation to Participate in Research

Children and adolescents aged between 10 and 15 years are sought to participate in a doctoral research project investigating the influences of social and cognitive skills on behaviour. This study will involve participants being presented with a range of different interesting tasks and activities. This study will also involve parents/guardians completing a questionnaire about their child’s behaviour.

Further Information

Miss Laura Smith
School of Psychology
Deakin University, Burwood Campus.
221 Burwood Highway (Building W).
Burwood, 3125 VIC

lsmi@deakin.edu.au
0413 119 231

ACTORS INK & ESSENTIAL TALENT, Adelaide’s leading entertainment school is running specialized classes for students with Down Syndrome.

DANCE: SATURDAY’S 3:00pm—3:45pm

Dance Classes cover styles of Jazz / Funk & Modern all set to current music.

Focusing on:

• Co-ordination
• Musical Interpretation
• Memory Skills

COST: $150-00 FOR 10 WEEK TERM

ACTING MONDAY’S 4:30PM—6:00PM

The Acting Class program will encompass work on script, improvisation, ensemble work whilst developing confidence, interaction skills, imagination and expression.

COST: $250-00 FOR 10 WEEK TERM

For further information please contact Actors Ink & Essential Talent on

8231 5000

12—20 Morney Street, Adelaide SA

SPECIAL 50% DISCOUNT FOR NEW STUDENTS IN TERM 2 ONLY

World Down Syndrome Day will be held on March 21st 2010.

Commemoration of World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD) started on 21 March 2006. The annual observance of WDSD aims to promote awareness and understanding of Down syndrome and related issues and to mobilise support and recognition of the dignity, rights and well being of persons with Down syndrome.

For more information please visit the WDSD web site.

The Gordon Andrew Program (GAP) is a six‑to‑twelve month program for young people with Down syndrome that will help with learning new skills, having fun, feeling good, making new friends and finding a job.

GAP involves a series of life skills workshops plus a workplace employment element, followed by a celebration event and evaluation.

Applicants must be aged 17 to 25 years and live in metropolitan Adelaide.

GAP is supported by Department for Families and Communities, AFL Foundation, Adelaide CROWS, Personnel Employment and foundation21.

If you are interested please complete this nomination form and return it to foundation21 by 1st March 2010:

Emma Pursche (GAP Coordinator)

Tel: 8342 9658

Fax: 8342 6869

Email: emma@f21.org.au

PO box 151
Greenacres SA 5086

Melbourne indie rock act Rudely Interrupted, whose musicians share a range of intellectual and physical disabilities (blindness, deafness, autism and Down Syndrome) perform at Fowlers Live as part of The Adelaide Fringe on Friday 26th February.

On the night the band will perform tracks from their upcoming debut album “Tragedy of the Commons”, as well as screen ABC1’s hour long rockumentary that follows the band on an adventure of a lifetime from the pubs and clubs of Melbourne to the United Nations in New York, and beyond.

When

• Friday 26th February 2010
• Doors 7.00pm
• Screening 7.30pm
• Showtime 9.00pm

Where

Fowlers Live
68-70 North Terrace
Adelaide

Tickets

• $16 pre-sales
• $21 on the night
• Purchase here

For more information visit www.rudelyinterrupted.com

Immigration Minister Chris Evans has granted German doctor Bernhard Moeller and his family permanent residency.

Dr Moeller, a specialist physician, moved his family to Horsham, in Victoria’s west, two years ago to help fill a doctor shortage.

The Migration Review Tribunal (MRT) on Tuesday upheld the immigration department’s decision to deny Dr Moeller’s permanent visa application because his 13-year-old son has Down syndrome and was deemed a potential drain on the health system.

Dr Moeller’s case generated public outrage, putting pressure on Senator Evans to intervene in the case.

Senator Evans said he received Dr Moeller’s application for ministerial intervention on Wednesday morning and approved it several hours later.

“It was clear to me that Dr Moeller and his family are making a very valuable contribution to their local community,” Senator Evans told the Senate.

“Dr Moeller is providing a much needed service in the area, the family have integrated very well and they have substantial community support.”

Their continued presence in Australia will be beneficial to our society, he said.

“I’m pleased they have chosen to call Australia home,” he said.

Senator Evans expressed his regret at the stress the family had been subjected to throughout their application process.

14:26 AEST Wed Nov 26 2008