Our strategy

Building resilience

We work to empower individuals with Down syndrome and their families to achieve their goals.

Building knowledge and capacity

We work to build the knowledge and capacity of people with Down syndrome, their families, and professionals and the wider community.

Building change

We work to represent to the community the needs of people with Down syndrome and their families to the community. We work with our members to create opportunities for full inclusion and participation, to dismantle barriers and, change to promote positive attitudes and create opportunities for full inclusion and participation.

Building strong foundations

We work to ensure we have strong organisational and financial foundations to achieve our goals and meet the needs of our members. To provide a state-wide network of peer support for people with Down syndrome and their families, including organising support groups and member events.

Individual support

To provide whole of life support services to people with Down syndrome and their families, at all stages of life, but particularly at time of diagnosis and at life’s transition points.

Training and development for people with Down syndrome

To provide a targeted and sustainable training and development programs to build the expertise and capacity of for people with Down syndrome.

Training and development for families

To provide a targeted and sustainable training and development programs to build the expertise and capacity of for families.

Training and development professionals

To provide targeted and sustainable training and development programs to build the expertise and capacity of for education, health and other professionals.

Information

To provide members with regular information in a variety of formats on local and national issues which may impact people with Down syndrome and their families.

Resources

To provide a suite of clear, direct and easy-to-use Down syndrome specific information resources.

Building change

To represent to the community, the needs of people with Down syndrome and their families. We work with our members to create opportunities for full inclusion and participation, dismantle barriers, change attitudes and promote positive attitudes create opportunities for full inclusion and participation.

Statewide systemic advocacy

To represent the needs of Victorians with Down syndrome and their families to all levels of government and the community.

National advocacy

To actively collaborate with the other members of Down Syndrome Australia to achieve systemic change on a national level.

Leadership

To ensure people with Down syndrome have a valued voice in the organisation that represents them.

Financial management

To secure diversified funding streams, and engage in efficient and effective financial management to ensure our sustainability.

Engaging community

To look for ways to engage the broader community – through the Board of Management, through our volunteer program, through our events and by maintaining positive partnerships with other community organisations.

Governance and operations

To maintain a strong governance and operational structure.