Neo Notes By Zandra Vaccarino
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Kia ora, In 2021, I began a series that focussed on answering a frequently asked question “What does the NZDSA do?” In the March 2021 edition of CHAT 21, the focus was on systemic advocacy work as a means to influence changes in policy and processes so that people with Down syndrome can benefit and enjoy more equitable access to the same rights as all New Zealanders. In the July 2021 edition, I shared that the NZDSA receives no government funding, so securing financial support is essential so that we can continue to deliver our core information, support, and systemic advocacy work as well as all the additional projects we undertake. In the October 2021 edition, I shared that a more visible task is to celebrate people with Down syndrome, the incredible contributions of our regional groups, and all our volunteers. In this edition of CHAT 21, I thought I would focus on the NZDSA’s commitment to raising awareness of Down syndrome. World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD) is a wonderful opportunity to raise awareness in the wider community. This year, Down Syndrome International chose ‘Inclusion Means’ as the theme for WDSD and it was the ideal opportunity to raise awareness of the human rights of all people with Down syndrome to fully participate in and contribute to their community. It was also an opportunity to discuss the fact that by signing the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), New Zealand has obligations to uphold the intent of the UNCRPD. However, this has not translated into full community participation, or the privileges and rights other Kiwi citizens may take for granted. The NZDSA utilised social media, print media, radio, and television to share our
key messages for WDSD. Lily Harper and I were interviewed by John Campbell from TVNZ’s Breakfast, and Lily was an inspiring advocate to share why inclusion is so important for people with Down syndrome. The NZDSA has other key awareness c a m p a i g n s i n o u r a n n u a l c a l e n d a r, including Volunteer Day and Volunteer We e k , D ow n Sy n d ro m e Awa re n e ss Month, and the International Day of People with Disabilities. In addition, the NZDSA identifies issues that impact on our community and will respond to these issues to raise awareness of the impact that they have or will have on our community. The NZDSA believes that raising awareness in the wider community is essential if we want to bring about social change. Raising awareness addresses myths, changes perceptions, provides opportunities to educate, develops greater supporters, and calls for actions which will create change and transform our communities and society. In this edition of CHAT 21, you can read more about all the range of ways that our communities across New Zealand contributed to raising awareness of Down syndrome. Big Connect O n ce a g a i n , COV I D -1 9 re st r i c t i o n s stopped the NZDSA and regional Down syndrome groups from hosting their usual WDSD celebrations, but we still wanted the community to gather together to celebrate, so the NZDSA hosted another mega-online community event. The Big Connect was opened by the Minister for Disability Issues, the Honourable
