News archive
All Saints Gets It Very Wrong
Popular Channel 7 TV drama 'All Saints' got it badly wrong in last week's episode (27th May 2008) when it conveyed an association between incest and Down syndrome. A couple in an incestuous relationship were advised there was a greater chance their offspring would have Down syndrome.
This is not correct. It is based on a misunderstanding of the genetics involved in Down Syndrome. As Dr David Amor, Clinical Geneticist with Genetic Health Services Victoria stated...
"The scriptwriters... have definitely got their wires crossed here.
The offspring of incestuous relationships are at high risk of genetic disorders, but this risk is entirely confined to disorders with autosomal recessive disorders (that is, where a faulty gene is inherited by the child in a ‘double dose’, one from copy from each parent. There is absolutely no increase in the risk of Down syndrome (or of other chromosomal conditions) for the offspring of incestuous relationships. The justification provided regarding translocations is not plausible"
Down Syndrome NSW's Jill O'Connor spoke to Ray Hadley on radio 2GB to help knock on the head yet another myth about Down syndrome (you can listen here). Down Syndrome NSW has worked with other states, as part of Down Syndrome Australia to set the record straight, putting out a media release and fielding many calls from the media and public, and receiving widespread coverage.
Carer Payment Review
On 7 February 2008, the Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs announced the release of the Carer Payment (child) Review Report - Carer Payment (child): A New Approach. The Review examined the eligibility criteria for Carer Payment (child) and the effectiveness of the payment in providing a safety net for children with profound disabilities and severe medical conditions.
Sue Buckley Research Fund Launched
21st December 2007: Down Syndrome NSW congratulates the Down Syndrome Educational Trust, on the launch today in the UK, of the Sue Buckley Research Fund. The fund will be a substantial source of funding for both UK and international research.
The fund's website has detailed information about the need for research and the resulting practical outcomes for people with Down syndrome, their families and communities. From the home page's introduction:
Life has changed dramatically for many people with Down syndrome. Inclusion and improved healthcare and education offer new opportunities for many of today's young people with Down syndrome.
Our Cause
Among many compelling causes, the needs of people with Down syndrome stand out. As a group, people with Down syndrome are often written off at birth. Yet people with Down syndrome have every right to lead rewarding lives and it is abundantly clear that we can help them fulfil their potential.
The Needs
More people with Down syndrome are living today than ever before. Over 200,000 babies are born with Down syndrome every year. With effective care and support, people with Down syndrome can achieve more.
Our Goals
The Sue Buckley Research Fund will deliver improved developmental and educational outcomes for people with Down syndrome by accelerating progress in scientific research and ensuring widespread change in practice.
Click here to go directly to the new website: Sue Buckley Research Fund
Click here for information about the Research Directions Symposium, held at the Down Syndrome Educational Trust in October 2007.
New Guardianship Tribunal application forms
The Guardianship Tribunal plays a vital role in protecting the rights and interests of people with disabilities who need assistance with decision-making.
The Tribunal is conscious of the need to make its services as accessible as possible to those need them.
An important element in this is making it as easy as possible for people to approach the Tribunal if they think that a family member, friend or client with a disability may need to have an order made by the Tribunal to assist, protect and empower them.
The Tribunal has undertaken an extensive review and development of its two most frequently used application forms.the Application for Appointment of a Guardian and/or Financial Manager and the Application for Consent to Medical or Dental Treatment.
The new forms will assist the public, the Tribunal and, most importantly, people with disabilities by:
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assisting applicants to focus on the person's need for a substitute decision-maker and understand when to apply to the Tribunal;
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providing clearer instructions on how to apply and the responsibilities of the applicant;
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identifying risk factors for the person and assisting the Tribunal to assess the complexity and urgency of matters more effectively;
being presented in a more user friendly, accessible and up-to-date format which will assist busy professionals and family members to collect the information needed by the Tribunal.
Copies of the new application forms are attached or they can be downloaded from the Tribunal's website www.gt.nsw.gov.au.
For further information please contact Geraldine Northcott, Assistant Manager, Client Information Services, Guardianship Tribunal
$10 million boost in accommodation for people with a disability in NSW
Press Release Date: 5 September 2007
NSW Minister for Disability Services Kristina Keneally today announced the successful non-government organisations that will provide 73 new supported accommodation places for people with a disability.
Click here for the full text of the press release
Commonwealth Consultations Open for Disability Supported Accommodation options (extract from Press Release 29/08/2007)
The Howard Government is opening consultations to establish the best options for providing 1750 new supported accommodation places for people with disabilities.
Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, Mal Brough, today said these consultations are part of the Prime Minister's announcement of an extra $962 million to help older carers and their families as part of the Government's $1.8 billion disability package announced in late June.
"The priority for the additional places will be for people with severe and profound disabilities aged 40 years and over, who are currently cared for by a parent who is 65 years or over," Mr Brough said.
"We want to hear the views of people with disabilities, carers and service providers on best options for providing these new supported accommodation places so they best meet the needs of those who will be using them.
Submission will be accepted until Friday 26th October 2007
Click here for the full text of the Mnister's press release (29/08/2007)
Art Gallery of NSW focuses on disability programs
Over one million people in Australia have a physical, emotional, intellectual or sensory disability with many having a life-long enjoyment of the arts. Edmund Capon, Director, Art Gallery of New South Wales
Graeme Innes, AM, Disability Discrimination Commissioner at the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission, launched a new three-year partnership between the Art Gallery of New South Wales and national law firm Clayton Utz for a series of access programs specifically for people with disabilities, on Wednesday 30th May 2007.
This partnership will allow people with disabilities to enjoy cultural experiences at the Gallery specifically through touch and sensory tours. In addition there will be a volunteering program where Clayton Utz staff support the Gallery in art-making workshops.
Graeme Innes said, "Art is as relevant to people with disabilities as to other members of the community. These facilities will certainly enhance the experience."
The Gallery will offer several access programs, including the Da Vinci Program, providing special art-making workshops for intellectually disabled and intellectually gifted children, Touch tours for visitors who are blind or partially sighted and Auslan-interpreted events for visitors who are deaf. The Gallery can now commit to delivering these programs for the next three years.
For further information please contact:
Susanne Briggs
Art Gallery of New South Wales
(02) 9225 1791 or 0412 268 320
Full text of Press Release
Special Olympics, Team Australia - World Summer Games 2007
Special Olympics Australia has announced the members of Team Australia, to compete at the World Summer Games in Shanghai in October 2007.
Congratulations to all of the ahletes and officials, and our very best wishes for the Games. Among the names we recognised these NSW athletes who have Down syndrome:
Christopher Bunton (Gymnastics)
Beth Hull (Gymnastics)
Amrita Ramjas (Gymnastics)
Saxon Graham (Golf)
Brendan Foley (Softball)
(Brendan represented Australian at the Down Syndrome World Swimming Championships in Ireland in 2006)
If we have missed anyone, please let us know!
The 127 athletes will compete in 11 sports, and will be supported by 37 officials, including Paul Phelan, who is a football coach.
For all the latest news about the World Summer Games 2007, and to make a donation to support Team Australia, go to the Special Olympics Australia website.
Click here for the SO World Games 2007 website
The 2007-2008 Entertainment Book is now available
You can order your copy now - click here to see how
DS NSW Update and DS NSW Newsletter
The May 2007 issue of DS NSW Update is now available - click here.
From the February 2007 issue, the monthly DS NSW Update will be available as a web page, and will be delivered to e-subscribers via email. Subscribe from the subscription box, top right.
The Autumn 2007 issue of the Down Syndrome NSW Newsletter (e -edition) is now available from this website - click here. Members of DS NSW will continue to receive the print edition by mail.
Upcoming Seminars
See the What's On page for further details and registration forms
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