Preparing for the Future - Visualisation of Success
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4 Voice, Autumn 2009. Down Syndrome Victoria Members Journal The changes experienced during the previous three decades include the decline of institutionalisation, the introduction of routine cardiac surgery for infants with Down syndrome, the development of pre-natal tests for Down syndrome, the introduction of early childhood intervention, and recognition of the benefits of quality education for people with intellectual disabilities. The health and welfare changes made over the last thirty years have resulted in a change in the profile ofthe population of people with Down syndrome. The population continues to increase due to the combined influences of a s teady birth rate (45 to 60 Victorian babies are born with Down syndrome each year) and the rapidly increasing life expectancy of people with Down syndrome (life expectancy is now approaching that of the rest of the population). The ch allenges for the first generation and beyond of adults with Down syndrome who will significantly outlive their parents are considerable. When the association was founded thirty years ago, one of its goals was to assist parents find what limited information was available about Down syndrome. Rapidly changing information technology has resulted in an exponential increase in the information available. The role of the association is increasingly to help families filter the information available to identify the most useful and relevant. The limited resources of Down Syndrome Victoria have traditionally been channelled into supporting parents of babies and young children. As a result ofthe changing profile of people with Down syndrome, Down Syndrome Victoria is now committed to providing support to people with Down syndrome and their families throughout the course of their lives, particularly during difficult transition periods. All of these changes mean that the role and nature ofservices and support provided by Down Syndrome Victoria need careful evaluation and planning. The Visualisati on of success 2008-2013 will be used by staff and committee and to educate n ew staff, volunteers, members and other stakeholders about ou r vision of su ccess for Down Syndrome Victoria. Down Syndrome Victoria celebrated thirty years of support in 2008. From humble beginnings as a group of like-minded parents coming together to support one another and share information, the organisation now finds itself serving a very different population in a very different environment. Down Syndrome Victoria Preparing for the future Visualisation of Success 8892 Voice AUTUMN 2009 FIN.indd 4 2/3/09 11:07:07 AM Process CyanProcess MagentaProcess YellowProcess Black
Preparing for the Future - Visualisation of Success
