Disability Services Western Australia launches online care resource for people with Down syndrome

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Disability Services Western Australia has launched a new website which offers information on health considerations for people with Down syndrome.

The My Voice My Health website was developed by Down Syndrome Western Australia with funding provided by the state’s Department of Communities.

The online resource center contains information on health topics relevant to people with DS; listings of public health providers, leading agencies, and non-profit organizations across WA that provide support for health issues affecting people with SD; and resources for healthcare professionals, including communication checklists and tips for working with people with SD and other developmental disabilities.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT

It is estimated that around one in 1,100 babies born in Australia will develop Down syndrome, which is one of the most common chromosomal disorders in the world.

In a press release, Disability Services Minister Don Punch said the My Voice My Health website will give families, carers and people living with DS important information and will be a “helpful tool when visits from health professionals.

“People with Down Syndrome live long and fulfilling lives, with many opportunities to make their own choices and live independently. My Voice My Health is a great example of how we can use technology to information to enable people with disabilities to live their best lives,” he said.

MARKET OVERVIEW

Other countries have also launched similar digital resources to support the wellbeing of people with DS. In the UK, the Down’s Syndrome Association has developed the Health Swap app to empower people with DS to make positive life choices while improving their digital skills.

In the United States, a platform called Down Syndrome Clinic to You provides up-to-date and personalized health and wellness information for people with DS. It also helps caregivers and primary care providers deliver evidence-based care in the absence of a specialist. It was developed by research and clinical teams from the Computer Science Laboratory and Program at Massachusetts General Hospital, a teaching hospital affiliated with Harvard Medical School.

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