Our values

Down Syndrome Victoria works to empower individuals with Down syndrome for a lifetime of meaningful inclusion in the community.

Why we are here

We are working alongside people with Down syndrome and their families, so that they may reach their full potential and live the lives they choose.

What we believe

We believe people with Down syndrome should enjoy the same opportunities as the wider community.

What we do

We provide information, support and services to people with Down syndrome, their families, professionals and the wider community.

Who we are

We are a community based, – a not-for-profit membership organisation made up of people with Down syndrome, their families, friends and professionals all committed to achieving change.

Our values

Our values shape our actions – they determine what support we provide and how we provide it.

Rights

We believe people with Down syndrome are individuals whose abilities, rights and dignity should be recognised, respected and promoted. We believe that people with Down syndrome are individuals and their abilities, rights and dignity should be recognised, respected and promoted.

Self determination

We believe people with Down syndrome should be the authors of their own lives, and should be provided with appropriate support to make meaningful choices.

Inclusion

We believe people with Down syndrome should have the same rights, responsibilities and opportunities as all individuals in the community.

Resilience

We believe resilient families will raise resilient individuals with Down syndrome who are more able to able to reach their full potential.

Support

We believe peer support for people with Down syndrome and their families is critical to building individual and collective resilience.

Empowerment

We believe we should work together: with people – we will not do to, or do for, but do with.