8 minute read
COMMUNITY HELPS WELLBEING
NEO Notes
CONNECTING WITH YOUR COMMUNITY HELPS WELLBEING
By Zandra Vaccarino
Chloë Swarbrick
Kia Ora I think the above statement by Chloë captures why most people found small bubbles during lockdown very challenging. I have listened to so many people in the Down syndrome community and the wider community share that not having access to their family, friends and regular activities during two lockdowns has impacted on their wellbeing. I also know that the NZDSA and regional groups have found it extremely difficult to cancel events as we know that these social events create networks and build a community which, as Chloë Swarbrick reflects, is so important because “It’s almost that the best group therapy is community”. So I would encourage you to connect to the NZDSA when we host local events and if you can’t join us, then connect through the various other avenues the NZDSA offers which includes CHAT 21 or join our various online options like NZDSA Enews, NZDSA Facebook page, or follow us on Instagram. Most importantly, please make sure you have looked at the NZDSA’s new website and that you have joined, so that you can access a range of free resources. All of these options will help you to become part of the NZDSA community and provide opportunities for you to connect with others in the Down syndrome community so that you can share your experiences and contribute to the wealth of knowledge that our members bring to our community. The wellbeing of our members is important to the NZDSA and we are aware that not only are people with Down syndrome struggling with their wellbeing, but their families and whānau are also struggling. This is also supported by the COVID-19 survey findings which indicated that 54% of carers have a disability or chronic condition themselves, while caring for at least one other person, so with this in mind the NZDSA has applied for funding to the Lottery COVID-19 Community Wellbeing Fund to develop a wellbeing resource for our community. We hope that our application will be supported - we will keep you updated on the outcome of this funding application.
International Volunteer Day
On behalf of the NZDSA I would also like to extend our appreciation and gratitude to all the past and current volunteers who through their extensive contributions continue to develop the Down syndrome community in Aotearoa. I hope that you took a moment on December 5 to celebrate International Volunteer Day.
NZDSA 2019 Annual Report
The NZDSA hosted the Annual General Meeting on the 30th October in Wellington. If you would like to read the NZDSA’s Annual Report, please email me at neo@nzdsa.org.nz and I will email you a copy.
The NZDSA National Committee and staff
I hope you will enjoy reading the report that STRIVE presented at the NZDSA’s AGM.
World Down Syndrome Month
To mark World Down Syndrome Month, which wa celebrated in October, the NZDSA launched two new resources. We first launched the enhanced 2020 edition of Living with Down Syndrome. This resource was written a number of years ago by a group of parents and has remained a valuable resource, but new research, increased knowledge and different attitudes to the abilities of people with Down syndrome, required us to do a complete overhaul of the publication for 2020. Living with Down Syndrome was redesigned as an educational resource with the most current information about Down syndrome from around the world to create greater awareness of the abilities of people with Down syndrome. Our staff and our volunteers worked on this booklet for months, tapping into the latest research from our global networks, and most importantly the lived experiences of our families. This resource provides helpful information for families to deal with different phases of life and is also aimed at equipping professionals with valuable information and as an awareness tool to inform and empower the wider community to work alongside the NZDSA to realise our vision that people with Down syndrome are valued and equal members of their community, fulfilling their goals. This resource is accessible on our website and hard copies are also available. The second launch was the translation of the NZDSA booklet into six languages: Te Reo Māori, Samoan, Tongan, Hindi, Chinese Simplified and Chinese Traditional so that we can support more members in our community. These resources are also available on our website. nzdsa.org.nz
A copy of the Living with Down Syndrome book
Last year the Ministry of Education and Massey University signed a funding agreement to develop and deliver specialist teaching qualifications in selected endorsements that represent modern best practice and 21st century pedagogy. Specialist teachers play a critical role in the education system, especially for learners with learning support needs, and we want to make sure that the qualifications continue to be available and relevant to all New Zealand teachers. The refreshed qualification will continue to be available to specialist teachers such as Resource Teachers: Blind and low vision; Resource Teachers: Deaf and hard of hearing; and Resource Teachers: Learning and Behaviour and Early Intervention Teachers. New courses also include a study pathway for te kōhanga reo kaiako, advisers on deaf children and developmental and mobility coordinators. A feature of the new qualification will include opportunities for some of the content to be available to teachers working in the early childhood, te kōhanga reo, primary and secondary sectors to develop their skills, knowledge and capability in supporting children and young people with disabilities and additional learning needs. The NZDSA and a team of parents interested in education contributed via a zoom focus group to the stream of work on the refreshed Post-Graduate Diploma in Specialist Teaching Qualification. A celebration of this refreshed qualification was held on Tuesday 10 November at the Ministry
of Education’s National Office in Wellington. A representative of the NZDSA attended the event and other representatives joined via zoom. The NZDSA will continue to liaise with the programme coordinator so that we can make further contributions to this qualification.
Office of the Health and Disability Commissioner
The Health and Disability Commissioner and the Nationwide Health and Disability Advocacy Service have released a series of videos to help people with learning disabilities think about their own experiences with using disability services and their rights under the Code. The STRIVE group was involved in reviewing and contributing to the script and Duncan Armstrong, an award-winning actor who is also a member of STRIVE, features in these videos. There are five videos, each with a different story. The videos look at how Sam and his friends use disability support services and how they resolve any concerns that they have. You can view these videos on the NZDSA website.
Opportunity to join the NZDSA team at National Office
Many of you will know the wonderful Linda te Kaat, the NZDSA National Administrator who has had a pivotal role in assisting the NZDSA to achieve its mission. Linda has worked alongside families, whānau and carers to support and empower people with Down syndrome to realise their potential and aspirations through all life stages and within all communities. Linda is the voice at the end of the 0800 calls, sends out resources, is the guru on securing grant funding, manages all the administration and finances in our organisation and helps with a range of activities to ensure our events run smoothly. Linda is a treasure but sadly after working for the NZDSA for over 17 years she has decided it is time to explore the next chapter of her life and wants to pass on the baton to someone else. Fortunately, she isn’t leaving just yet. If you are interested in joining the team at NZDSA as the next National Administrator and Finance Officer or the Administration Support Officer then please contact Linda at nzdsai@xtra.co.nz for the job advertisements and to access a copy of the job descriptions.
Summer
We have already had a few hints of summer weather, which heralds the approaching holiday season, so whether you’re planning a staycation or staying home we hope that you have a wonderful time. We would like to publish your favourite summer photographs in the Enews so please send your photographs to Jess at hello@nzdsa.org.nz. At the NZDSA National Committee in October we started planning for a number of events for 2021 and we are looking forward to opportunities to once again connect with you in your community especially to celebrate the NZDSA’s 40th anniversary. We will be sharing the events via Enews so if you haven’t subscribed, please contact Jess at hello@ nzdsa.org.nz so that you can receive regular Enews updates. The summer break also heralds that time of year when the team at the NZDSA national office starts to consolidate our work for 2020 and set in motion plans for events in 2021 before the office closes for the summer holidays. The NZDSA national office will be closed from the 18th December 2020 to the 31st January 2021. We will continue to provide urgent parent support via the 0800 number. The team at National office and the NZDSA National Committee would like to wish you and your family a blessed Christmas, and treasured opportunities to gather with family and friends over the summer break. After a very challenging 2020 we all wish you the best and most wonderful 2021!
Hei konei rā Zandra
