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World Down Syndrome Day – Tuesday March 21, 2023
CVGT is with you not for you
#WorldDownSyndromeDay
What is World Down Syndrome Day?
World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD), 21 March, is a global awareness day which has been officially observed by the United Nations since 2012.
The date – the 21st day of the third month – was selected to signify the uniqueness of the triplication (trisomy) of the 21st chromosome which causes Down syndrome.
All around the world, people with Down syndrome are treated badly.
- They are denied a quality education.
- They are denied the chance to work and earn their own money.
- They are denied good health care.
- They are not allowed to make decisions about their own lives.
- Their voices are not heard.
So, on the 21st of March, together, we create a single global voice advocating the rights, inclusion and well being of people with Down syndrome.
This year’s theme
This year’s annual theme is:
‘With us not for us‘
The annual theme provides an overarching focus on how society can move from the outdated charity model of disability, where people with disability were treated as objects of charity, to an approach where people with disability have the right to be treated fairly and have the same opportunity as everyone else – working With others to improve their lives.
CVGT is with you not for you
Empowerment and inclusion are integral to our culture and how we live our values. We ensure our employment solutions are inclusive and respond to the diverse needs of our participants.
At CVGT Employment, we work closely with businesses and industry to build inclusive practices, improve equality, and ensure every person has access to employment.
We have a shared vision for developing pathways to employment for people of all ages and abilities, ensuring people with disability have the support they need to make life-changing decisions.
Our partners
Working together is what makes the difference
About our partnership with Impact21
Partnering with not-for-profit Inclusion Foundation, we assist in delivering a world-first education and employment program for young adults with Down syndrome. Our latest participant group started their education component based at Torrens University, and by mid-2022 will have paid employment in a customised role with one of this year’s employer partners: JB Hi-Fi, Sodexo Australia, ACMI, Tennis Australia, MSAC, Torrens University and CVGT Employment.
“To work with the students in Impact21 each and every year, has really enabled CVGT to be involved in a service that truly meets the ideals of what a Disability Employment Service is meant to be.” – Mark Little
About our partnership with Onemda
We continue our close working relationship with Onemda by formalising our collaboration on their SILOS project. It introduces young people with intellectual disabilities to work and employment while in their last 3 years of school. The program, funded by an NDIS ILC grant, will deliver activities in the Melbourne North, Melbourne East, Melbourne West, Bendigo and Ballarat regions.
The “model of interagency collaboration” will be formally evaluated by Australian Catholic University.
“Once again, CVGT Employment is proud to be supporting and celebrating World Down Syndrome Day. With our involvement in Impact21, now in its fourth year, so ingrained in our day-to-day operation, this year’s theme ‘with us not for us’, is just so fitting.”
Mark Little
General Manager, Strategy and Communications, CVGT Employment
WDSD Events
At CVGT Employment, we strive every day to work WITH our participants, not for them.
Find out where we will be to celebrate World Down Syndrome Day.
World Down Syndrome Day Lunch
Tuesday 21 March, 11:30 am – 2:30 pm – MCG
It’s back! The Inclusion Foundation flagship event, the World Down Syndrome Day lunch. In partnership with Carlton Football Club, the Inclusion Foundation will recognise and celebrate World Down Syndrome Day on Tuesday 21st March at the MCG.
This year’s theme for the internationally recognised day is “With Us, not For Us”, extending the invitation to develop and share inclusive practices in every sphere of life.
CVGT Employment will join business leaders to celebrate World Down Syndrome Day and raise funds for Inclusion Foundation.
Success stories
A look at some of our success stories that show how we’ve created inclusive employment opportunities for people with disability, and how our partnerships have empowered our participants with Down syndrome.
CVGT Employment and partners work together to create Perri’s dream job – and Perri loves it
Perri loves nothing more than serving you a coffee with a smile at the Aquarena Aquatic and Leisure Centre. Perri, who has Down Syndrome, joined the CVGT Employment’s Specialist Disability Employment Team (SDET) program in 2022. It was during the Pathway to Independence program that Perri and her disability support service provider Onemda agreed she…
Expanding a positive impact
Nicky loves music, travelling around Australia and the world with his family to catch the latest theatre productions. To further indulge his passion, 25-year-old Nicky wants to earn his own money and buy a new Bluetooth speaker. To help get there, Nicky is joining a new disability education to employment program launching soon in Bendigo. …
Ed rocks the kitchen at famous Melbourne pub
The Hotel Esplanade in St Kilda is one of Melbourne’s best-known pubs, playing host to some of the biggest names in Australian music and entertainment. Right now, it’s also where Ed is making the most of a great new opportunity to build a career in hospitality. Ed came to CVGT Australia a couple of years…
Kyle finds sweet spot in doughnut dreamland
Singing, dancing and making sweet treats – it sounds like a dream job. For Kyle, employment with Walker’s Doughnuts in Bendigo is fun and, at the same time, arming him with valuable new skills. “It’s a good place,” he says. “I enjoy the people and I’m enjoying working and making doughnuts.” When the store –…
Katie secures employment through CVGT Australia Disability Employment Services
Everyone benefits when local businesses such as Tan’s Tuckerbox in Swan Hill hire people with disabilities for meaningful work. After a two-year search, Katie, who lives with Down syndrome, has finally secured employment at the local cafe. Like many parents, mum Alison was concerned about Katie’s career path and made sacrifices to ensure she got…
Kyle serves up hospitality
The Belmont is a cosy English-style sort of pub. One of those places where everybody knows your name. When CVGT consultant Lorinne called Jaime to introduce Kyle as a potential employee, Jaime was a little unsure. But she decided to meet Kyle, who has Down syndrome, and that interview went pretty well. “So, we did…
Our Programs
At CVGT Employment, we believe every person deserves the opportunity to fulfil their potential. Our programs support people with a disability to find meaningful work. Find out more about our programs below.
Disability Employment Services
Disability Employment Services (DES) is an Australian Government Initiative that helps people with a disability, injury or health condition (including anxiety and depression) find and keep a job.
Our goal is to find employment solutions that work for our participants, their needs, skills, experience, and interests.
Specialist Disability Employment Team (SDET)
SDET supports the partnerships CVGT Employment have with external organisations. It enables CVGT to offer dedicated, intensive, and customised support to participants with a disability, all of whom have an intellectual or development disability.
Our people
CVGT Employment has a diverse workforce of people who believe in our purpose of connecting more people to meaningful work. We are proud that our team brings the skills, passion and compassion to support the work we do.
Meet Jamie
Specialist Disability Employment Team- Administration Officer
Meet Ashleigh
Specialist Disability Employment Team- Administration Assistant
