@dsa-uk.bsky.social
We are a national organisation, committed to improving quality of life for people who have Down’s syndrome, promoting their right to be included on a full and equal basis with others.
Friendships are often forged in school and are important in feeling connected to others.
Our resource for teachers outlines the importance of supporting children who have Down’s syndrome and their peers to develop meaningful relationships in schools.
Access it here: https://loom.ly/cUhjfUo
For people who have Down’s syndrome:
The Government wants to hear from people who have Down’s syndrome and other learning disabilities/genetic conditions.
You can read the Easy Read guidance and questions here: https://loom.ly/2seC-cg
All children like to have friends to play with at school and at home. In these two resources to be used in schools, we look at ways to include friends who have Down’s syndrome, so they are not left out.
Check them both out here: https://loom.ly/M_RAgP0 and https://loom.ly/tVEWnZ0
Image of a young girl who has Down's syndrome on our 'Understanding Behaviour' webinar poster.
New webinar - 'Understanding Behaviour Part One: An introduction.'
Tuesday 17 March 2026 | 10.30 to 11.45am | FREE
Topics covered include self-talk, imagination, sameness and repetition and the concept of time.
Please sign up here: https://loom.ly/_qQvgJk
Image of a girl and a boy in primary school uniform. The girl has Down's syndrome. They are hugging outside their front door.
Friendships are an important part of primary school (as in any other learning context too).
You can read the DSi Guidelines for the Education of Learners with Down's syndrome here to find out more: https://loom.ly/FcRen4Q
Teenage girl who has Down's syndrome is pictured holding strawberries.
The month of March marks National Nutrition Month, which is all about promoting healthy eating. 🥦
We have a great Easy Read document that relates to this, called 'Staying Healthy.'
You can read it here: https://loom.ly/yH63oGU
Image of a young girl who has Down's syndrome - she is wearing glasses.
We want to raise awareness that everyone who has Down’s syndrome, has poorer visual acuity, (detail vision) even when wearing spectacles. 👁️
You can check out the resource here: https://loom.ly/ROlZQKs
Can you help?
If this applies to you, please follow the steps on the poster to take part in this study!
Everyone who has Down’s syndrome has poor visual acuity. In this video Professor Maggie Woodhouse explains what visual acuity is and why it matters.
You can watch the video on this topic here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2YnwIGgYNM
Image of a girl in primary school, she has Down's syndrome. She is holding up numbers in a maths class with her teacher.
Professionals across education, health and social care hold valuable knowledge about what works for people who have Down’s syndrome - your input is important.
Make sure you respond to the Down Syndrome Act draft statutory guidance consultation before 30 March 2026: https://loom.ly/XurzOHM
Image of a group of young children at school - one young girl has Down's syndrome.
The Down’s Syndrome Association has responded to the proposed SEND reforms in the Schools White Paper.
Please read the full statement on our website: https://loom.ly/oZzOJg8
Young primary school children are sat for circle-time in a classroom. Their teacher is reading to them. One of the children has Down's syndrome.
Did you know that there are guidelines for educators that set out exactly what teachers and institutions should be doing to improve the availability and quality of education for learners?
These guidelines can be downloaded here: https://workdrive.zohoexternal.com/external/8CkAlci7kBX-Jxfap
Secretary of State for Education, Bridget Phillipson MP.
After months of rumour, speculation and leaks, the Government has today (23 February 2026) published the Schools White Paper. We will release a statement soon.
Read more over on our website: https://www.downs-syndrome.org.uk/news/news-research/policy-campaigns/schools-white-paper-published-today/
We are pleased to announce the next #GrowingOlderWithLearningDisabilities webinar, talking place on 1 April at 12:30pm.
We will be joined by @dsa-uk.bsky.social to discuss non-dementia regression in people with Down's Syndrome.
Register to attend: bild.org.uk/DSRDWeb
Bild’s ( BILD - The British Institute of Learning Disabilities ) #GrowingOlderWithLearningDisabilities conference will be taking place online on 25 Feb 2026 - there's only a couple of days left to sign up, don't miss out!
Book your tickets now: https://loom.ly/IhXQB2A
#BILD
Image of a young woman who has Down's syndrome. She is smiling and wears glasses. She is giving a younger boy a piggy-back.
Do you want to take part in Challenge 21?! 💚
Down’s syndrome is caused by the presence of an extra copy of chromosome 21. We have therefore come up with a selection of challenges for you all based on the number 21!
Go to our website to find out more about getting involved: https://loom.ly/J1fnOag
Images of the front cover and pages from our 'Sensory Processing and Differences' Factsheet Resource.
Sensory processing differences are relatively common among people who have Down’s syndrome, although they may look different for each person. This resource gives an overview of the sensory system, sensory regulation and sensory processing.
Click here to view this resource: https://loom.ly/vv-LbsM
Get involved and show your support on your socials by using our WDSD frames! 💚
We’ve created two frames that you can use to update your social media profiles to show your support for the #TogetherAgainstLoneliness campaign.
Click the link to and create your own: https://loom.ly/KpXtcgI
DSEngage Movies and Musicals Disco! 🎵🪩
Wednesday 25 February 2026 | 6 – 7pm
Join us for this extra disco where you can enjoy your favourite songs from movies and musicals.
Book your space here: https://loom.ly/jSiZul8
Image of a man who has Down's syndrome in an exercise class. He is on a bench, lifting a weight.
DSEngage Live | Weekly Workout 💪
Get your week off to a great start with a fun and enjoyable live workout!
Next Session: (Today) Monday 16 February 2026. Time: 4 – 4.45pm.
Who's joining us later on today?
Sign up here: https://loom.ly/2UAgQ6Q
In this video, Patrick Sheehan, a consultant Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) surgeon, talks about the top five ENT issues for children who have Down’s syndrome that he sees in clinic.
Watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDxUoTdJHhU
Vinay, a man who has Down's syndrome, is pictured on our WDSD poster.
Vinay has been thinking about Down’s Syndrome Awareness Week and World Down Syndrome Day in March, as well as the theme – ‘Together Against Loneliness.’
Read on to find out his thoughts as well as to read his Q and A interview on this topic: https://loom.ly/Emuyspo ⭐💚
Good health support matters for people who have Down’s syndrome.
The Down Syndrome Act statutory guidance consultation is gathering good practice examples and resources that can help shape the annex to the statutory guidance.
Make sure you respond before 30 March 2026: https://loom.ly/XurzOHM
Our 'Weekly Workout' poster. Image of a man who has Down's syndrome in a gym setting.
DSEngage Live | Weekly Workout 🤸
Get your week off to a great start with a fun and enjoyable live workout!
Next Session: Monday 16 February 2026. Time: 4 – 4.45pm.
Please book here: https://www.downs-syndrome.org.uk/our-work/services-projects/dsengage/dsengage-live-workout/
Image of a man wearing a hearing aid.
Do you support a person to attend hearing appointments? 👂
Our resource for carers provides tips on what information the audiologist needs and what you can do to prepare the person for the assessment.
Link: https://loom.ly/lZYe8z0
Learning Disability England are hosting an online session with the Department of Health and Social Care on the Fair Pay Agreement Consultation next week on Tuesday 17 Feb at 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM.
Find out more and sign up here: https://loom.ly/w_A6EgU
For this year’s DSAW and WDSD we are joining with people around the world to stand Together Against Loneliness!
We want you to get involved! 💚
Tell your story, share your friendship photos, reach out to your community. Find out more here: https://loom.ly/dfQxMJM
Image of a young girl who has Down's syndrome, pictured at school with a classmate and her teacher.
Every classroom must be inclusive.
Every classroom must be a safe, accessible and welcoming space for disabled children, including those who have Down’s syndrome. Inclusion cannot be confined to a separate room.
Full DSA Statement on Proposed ‘Inclusion Bases’ here: https://loom.ly/H8rrEv0
Can you help us?
We’re looking for families of children who have Down’s syndrome (5-16yrs) who are willing to speak to the media about education/inclusion.
We are looking for several families to be on standby for a range of potential opportunities.
Find out more here: https://loom.ly/hW6LD7c
Image of a woman getting her hearing tested.
Hearing impairment is common in adults and children who have Down’s syndrome, so regular hearing tests are vital.
Our resource covers types of hearing impairment, what to expect in a hearing assessment and ways to support people wearing hearing aids.
You can read it here: https://loom.ly/GeiTXEw