NEO Notes Auckland’s Tim Fairhall changes

Down Syndrome Awareness Month great opportunity to shine The 21st of March is our opportunity to celebrate World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD), but I have noted that in America, in addition to WDSD they also celebrate Down Syndrome Awareness Month in October. How wonderful to have an entire month to celebrate people with Down syndrome, to spread awareness and make people aware of the abilities and accomplishments of people with Down syndrome. So why not take the opportunity during October to create awareness in your community. A couple of suggestions include: • Posting a message on your Facebook page celebrating people with Down syndrome • Submitting a paragraph and a photograph of someone you know with Down syndrome participating in their favourite activities, which we can share in the ENews. Please email to Jess hello@nzdsa.org.nz

Mana Whaikaha – MidCentral In the MidCentral region, 1 October 2019 has been a significant day as it will be the first anniversary of the launch of Mana Whaikaha, the prototype of the transformed disability support system. One positive outcome that we have already seen in our region is how groups of disabled people, families and whānau living in MidCentral have accessed capability funding which enables them to access training that will enable and empower them to exercise greater choice and control of their lives. In Palmerston North, I worked with a group of young adults with Down syndrome as well as parents, family and whānau to determine their training and empowerment needs, and together we prepared proposals for a funding application. The NZDSA was fortunate that our application was successful and we secured funds to run two programmes. One programme is with young adults with Down syndrome and they have called their programme the COOL Funshop.

COOL stands for Control, Our, Own, Lives. What is a Funshop? Well, it’s a workshop where participants learn new skills in a more relaxed and fun environment. Below are a few photographs of the participants

Lunch time at the COOL Funshop

Discussing EGL principles at the COOL Funshop

Participants at the Present like a Pro funshop.

engaging in a range of activities. STRIVE Update STRIVE, the NZDSA’s self-advocacy group met in July, in Christchurch for a one-day meeting. The focus of the meeting was to progress the codesigned research project on friendships that they are currently conducting in collaboration with Massey University. The meeting also included meeting with Coen Lammers, the editor of CHAT 21, and Dan te Kaat, our graphic designer, so they could share their ideas on projects the NZDSA is currently working on.

More self-advocacy training In August a group of self-advocates and the STRIVE members met in Auckland for a Funshop focusing on learning how to Present like a Pro. The Funshop included preparing impromptu speeches, debates, voice training, body language, presentation skills and learning more about rights. Another fun aspect the group is working on is creating a video about rights. Keep reading your

ENews to see the enthusiastic performers! If you don’t receive the NZDSA Enews, please email Jess at hello@nzdsa.org.nz Notices Just a reminder to look at the NZDSA notices which include: • a call for expressions of interest in accessing the NZDSA Numicon kits • the NZDSA AGM • Nominations for the NZDSA National Awards.

Finally, don’t miss the opportunity to attend the NZDSA Ball on the 2nd November at the Remuera Club in Auckland. It will be an evening of fun with entertainment by The Mermaid Dance Band, featuring ABBA Heaven. You can contact Linda if you want to purchase tickets, 0800 693 725 press 2 or email nzdsai@xtra.co.nz

In closing, let me know how you celebrated Down syndrome month.