The New Zealand Down Syndrome Association Inc’s (NZDSA) mission is to work alongside families, whanau and carers to support and empower people with Down syndrome to realise their potential and aspirations through all life stages and within all communities.

The NZDSA was started in 1981 by parents who established the organisation for educational and charitable purposes. The NZDSA has remained a family/whanau-driven non-profit organisation.

We receive no government funding, so we raise all our own funds and receive monthly donations from the Downlights Charitable Trust,
so that we are able to:

• Provide support and New Parent information packs to expectant and new parents.
• Inform, support and advocate for families/whanau and people with Down syndrome.
• Promote awareness of Down syndrome to create positive attitudes in the community.
• Advocate for the rights and inclusion of people with Down syndrome.
• Represent the interests and lobby for the rights of people with Down syndrome and their families/whanau across a range of forums and at Government level.
• Produce and provide resources to inform, educate and empower families/whanau, people with Down syndrome and professionals.
• Create a leadership platform for people with Down syndrome which includes supporting STRIVE - the NZDSA’s self-advocacy leadership group, hosting self-advocacy Funshops and youth development camps.
• Support regional groups across New Zealand to provide support and information to the Down syndrome community in their area.
•Offer support via our Freephone 0800 NZDSAI 0800 693 724.
• Publish CHAT21, our quarterly journal.
• Provide support utilising social media.

Contact us for support or to show your support at:

www.nzdsa.org.nz

Bell Gully is committed to making meaningful contributions to initiatives that support the well being of our communities, and the positive growth and development of people within them. They have provided Downlights and The Downlights Charitable Trust with pro bono legal work since 2021 and have further supported us by choosing our candles as a corporate gifting option on numerous occasions

Our Downlights Crew are the most important part of Downlights and the reason we started the business.

Part of being a great employer is paying every employee the Living Wage from their first day, in recognition of their value as a person and their contribution to our business.

We are honoured to be a Living Wage Employer and Principal Partner representing the disability sector, where the Minimum Wage Exemption means that many disabled Kiwis earn less than $5 per hour for their work.

A Living Wage Employer pays all direct (staff) and indirect (contractors, suppliers) employees the NZ Living Wage or greater under fair working conditions. 

Find out more about Living Wage Aotearoa Principal Partners here:
www.livingwage.org.nz/principal_partners_page

The Lindsay Foundation’s main focus is to support individuals and organisations in New Zealand who make a positive impact specifically, but not limited to, the areas of animal welfare, children, disabilities and health.To learn more about the Lindsay Foundation or to apply for funding, visit:

https://www.lindsayfoundation.co.nz/