Photography

Diversity of Disability Image Competition

This one is for all the photographic creatives out there. The Melbourne Disability Institute, Melbourne University, is looking for photographic images to be used on their electronic media and print collateral.

Prize Money: Total prize pool of $5,000. Winning submission/s for leading images will receive $1,000. Winning images for supporting images will receive $500.
Applications close Friday 3 May. The winning entries will be chosen by a panel  who will be looking for images that depict the diversity of disability, reflect originality and visual appeal.

If you are interested go to the competition webpage for details on how to apply.

Call Out for Photo Shoot

This one is for anyone out there who would like a little modelling experience!
Family Planning NSW is holding a photo shoot for their new brochures.
They are looking for people with disability age of 18 - 30 years. 
The photos will show people visiting a doctor's clinic and reading booklets. 
The brochures will help people with disability decide if they want to visit a Family Planning NSW clinic.
Photo shoot will take place at Family Planning NSW in Ashfield.
If you are interested, contact Erin on 8752 4312 or E: erind@fpnsw.org.au

World Down Syndrome Day

Leave no one behind 

Leave no one behind is the international theme for World Down Syndrome Day this year.

'All people with Down syndrome must have opportunities to live fulfilling lives, included on a full and equal basis with others, in all aspects of society. 

The 2030 UN Agenda for Sustainable Development, a global plan of action for people, planet and prosperity, pledges that “no one will be left behind”.'

Watch the video 

What Makes Me Proud?
Down Syndrome Australia has published 21 stories over the last three weeks, reflecting on the proposition "What makes me proud?". All 21 stories available on DS Australia website for those of you who are wanting to binge view to celebrate the day!

Down Syndrome Australia patron the Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove will be hosting an event in Canberra to celebrate

Down Syndrome NSW will be celebrating on Sunday with our Afternoon Tea with guest speaker Dr Ellen Skladzien from Down Syndrome Australia.

Plenty of schools across NSW have engaged with "Lots of Socks" this year too

Read an employment success story from Canberra
Kathryn and Peter are kicking goals on World Down Syndrome Day
by Megan Doherty
in The Canberra Times

"Kathryn Rodwell and Peter Bartholomew have been working for the last 18 months on the Ginninderry project, job-sharing at the head office, helping in all kinds of ways to support the creation of a massive housing development in the north-west of Canberra."

Library Shelf

The Essential Guide to Safe travel-training for Children with Autism and Intellectual Disabilities
by Desiree Gallimore
Published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers

Travel-training, as a topic, can often bring on a weary sigh amongst parents and is not usually high on everyone's reading list. This one, though, is a travel-training book with a difference. Whether you are looking into travel-training for the first time or need to reignite some enthusiasm for the project, this is the book for you. It provides a clear outline of what a good travel training program (as distinct from assisted travel) should, and can, be like.

"For those growing up with an intellectual disability or autism, comfortable, safe and independent travel will prove an invaluable life skill. The key to pursuing fulfilling work and leisure activities and developing as an individual, it also brings a liberating level of self-sufficiency and reassurance of equality within society."


Dr Desiree Gallimore is a well-credentialed Sydney-based psychologist and mobility specialist. Dr Gallimore's website traveltrainingsolutions here







Life as Jamie Knows It: An Exceptional Child Grows Up
By Michael Berube
Published by Beacon Press

Those of you with children 20 and over will probably remember reading Life as we Know It back in 1996, a book chronicling the early years of Jamie's life. Jamie is now in his mid twenties and this book, as did the first, blends personal narrative with observations about social inclusion, health, advocacy and public policy.

Jamie's Investigations: The Art of a Young Man with Down Syndrome by William Benzon can be read on Academia










Contact: library@dsansw.org.au or phone the office 9841 4444

Accommodation

The Housing Hub is a website that allows people with disability to look for SDA (Specialist Disability Accommodation), SSA (Supported Shared Accommodation or Group Home) and private rental vacancies, in four different states. The database is searchable by region.

Library Shelf

We have decided to revive and refresh Keeping Up with Down Syndrome NSW as our Library + Information blog. Here we will post information about our library resources as well as other information that will be of interest to our members and readers.

Our library is alive and well, with the exception of general online access to the catalogue, for which we offer apologies and still hold hope for restoration to the outside world! The catalogue works at full capacity but only within our office itself. In the meantime please call the office or email the library and we will assist with your information needs. If you would like to recommend any books or resources for purchase please let us know by email library@dsansw.org.au

New Title on the Shelf

Supporting Positive behaviour in children and teens with Down syndrome 

The respond but don’t react method

by David Stein
Published by Woodbine House

David Stein is a paediatric psychologist and co-director of the Down Syndrome program at Boston Children's Hospital. 
The book draws on his wealth of clinical experience with young people who have Trisomy 21. Very much the compact handbook, it is a good title to share with teachers and support workers.
The behaviour management principles covered in the book:
Be proactive not reactive
Be consistent
Use visual shedules and social stories to redirect behaviour
Develop a reward system
Keep emotional reactions in check
Teach siblings to ignore certain behaviours
Know when to seek professional help

Very much the compact handbook, it is a good title to share with teachers and support workers. This is a great read and highly recommended.

More of David Stein's work, available online, below

Dr David Stein discusses his ideas on The Lucky few Podcast from 9 November 2018
The Lucky Few

Behavioral Issues in Down Syndrome, Parts 1 & 2 (duration 24 mins each)
Dr Stein in discussion with Dr Vellody,
on the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh website

Behaviour and Down syndrome: A practical guide for parents
by David Stein
Published by Children's Hospital Boston
12 page PDF free to download