Free Online Classes in Art and Computer Skills

The branch is very much aware that many of our adult members are missing out on learning opportunities because of the closure of services and classes due to the COVID-19 situation.

We are delighted to have been allocated tuition hours resources from the Louth Community Education Service of the Louth Meath Education and Training Board.

These tuition hours will support online classes in the areas of Art and Computer Skills. The two courses will be tailored to the needs of our members to help them to maintain/develop their artistic and computer skills over the next two months.

The classes will be delivered online to a class of approx’ 6-10 students. This will allow for a good level of interaction between the tutors and the students. We have had some very good feedback recently from members engaging in online classes and meetings.

We expect that this will form an increasingly important part of educational provision in the future and we invite our adult members to give it a try through these classes. This is a great opportunity especially if you haven’t done online classes before.

If you are interested in a class in Art or Computer Skills(or both), please email your contact details to:
Mike Egan at mike@downsyndrome.ie or call 085.8618866.

The weekly class times will be arranged to best suit the availability of the students and tutors. Give Mike a call if you have any questions

Zoom Session for Parents & Toddlers 9th June at 11.15AM

Olive Buckeridge, DSI Early Years Specialist runs a weekly Louth/Meath Zoom Session for Parents & Toddlers on Tuesday each week on Zoom.

The next Session will be on Tuesday 9th June at 11.15AM

The sessions are informal with lots of Singing, Signing and some Vocabulary and there is no limit on the numbers just that they are for Parents and Toddlers.

Olive want to stress that Parents can dip in and out of them and use them as a support.

The Log-In details have been sent out by email. If you have not received the email please contact Brendan on secretarydslm@gmail.com to receive it.

Zoom Session for Parents & Toddlers on Tuesdays

Olive Buckeridge, DSI Early Years Specialist runs a weekly Louth/Meath Zoom Session for Parents & Toddlers on Tuesday each week on Zoom.

The next Session will be on Tomorrow Tuesday 26th May at 11.15.

The sessions are informal with lots of Singing, Signing and some Vocabulary and there is no limit on the numbers just that they are for Parents and Toddlers.

Olive want to stress that Parents can dip in and out of them and use them as a support.

The Log-In details have been sent out by email. If you have not received the email please contact Brendan on secretarydslm@gmail.com to receive it.

COVID 19 IS HERE

It is everyone’s responsibility to help prevent or slow down the spread of the virus with the new Phasing taking place – in our COVID-19 resource section, Down Syndrome Ireland have collected all of the most up to date information and materials to help educate and support our members and their families during this most difficult time.

Find all of the resources and latest news here: https://bit.ly/35UVaf1

Stay safe and well everyone 💜😷🧤

#ShareTheJourney#StayAtHome#StaySafe#Covid19Ireland#DownSyndrome

Parent/Toddler Group by Olive Buckeridge for our Branch

Olive Buckeridge, DSI Early Years Specialist will run a weekly Louth/Meath Zoom Session for Parents & Toddlers on Tuesday each week on Zoom.

The first Session will be on Tuesday 19th May at 11.15. 

The sessions are informal with lots of  Singing, Signing and some Vocabulary and there is no limit on the numbers just that they are for Parents and Toddlers.

Olive want to stress that Parents can dip in and out of them and use them as a support. 


Olive will send a link with a Password each week to the Branch and we will send it on to our Parents and Toddlers.

Our Regional Resource Officer is here to help

Our Regional Resource Officers help people with Down syndrome and their family’s access support locally. Regional Resource Officers provide vital support and a point of contact for new parents as well as families who need help and support at local level at every life stage. Our Regional Resource Officer for the LouthMeath Branch is:

Mike Egan

Mike Egan started working with the Louth Meath branch of DSI as a part-time Regional Resource Officer in November 2016, having had over 10 years front-line and management experience in adult learning disability services. His role in the Louth Meath branch is to act as an information and support officer for the members and committee, helping to ensure they are aware of their full entitlements and rights to get all the services and opportunities that they need. Where such services are not readily available, Mike works with the branch and DSI National Team to campaign for additional and improved services for members of all ages.
He has a particular interest in the possibility of individualised funding/personal budgets for people with Down syndrome to enable them to reach their full potential and be active, included members of the community. Mike has an undergraduate degree in Communication Studies, an MSc in Education and Training Management and, more recently, has trained as a mindfulness teacher for stress reduction and other benefits.

Mike can be contacted at:
mike@downsyndrome.ie
085 8618866.

Activities to Promote Communication

These activities are designed to promote your baby/toddler/child’s communication development. These activities can be easily carried out at home as each activity is nice and short. You can do one, some or all of these activities. You may choose to do them daily or weekly, it’s completely up to you!

All you need for these activities is a little bit of space and toys/objects that you have in the house.


Activities to Promote Communication 1


We are going to focus on eye-contact, naming, action songs, cause and effect and teaching some important songs – “Hello song” and “The Clean-up Song”.

https://downsyndrome.ie/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Activities-to-Promote-Communication.pdf

Activities to Promote Communication 2

If you are still working through the previous activities, don’t worry, you can start the following activities when your child is ready. You can also start these activities if you need a change and are feeling demotivated! Follow your child’s lead.

https://downsyndrome.ie/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Activities-to-Promote-Communication-2.pdf?fbclid=IwAR23DzG5QWk8BTnxAv8fkAmzHpsIwjPnO84LzeuhJhm_IU8yJoAixnCrjjU

Activities to Promote Communication 3

This week we will be focusing on positive interaction through song, taking turns, cooking and much more.

https://downsyndrome.ie/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Activities-to-Promote-Communication-3.pdf?fbclid=IwAR25Piyf7m8e4XYK7gPVxunrbJ90iYlsyK_ewKq8PXP_wlEXY5AwI7ls620

DSI co-signs a document on Ireland’s obligations under the UNCRPD

Down Syndrome Ireland has co-signed a document on the rights of people with disabilities during the COVID-19 period. The statement calls on the government to adhere to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and in particular:

  • Provide full accessible information on all aspects of COVID-19
  • Ensure equal treatment in the provision of healthcare
  • Ensure people with disabilities are involved in decisions about their treatment    
  • Provide support for families caring for a person with a disability, including social and educational supports
  • Provide advocacy services as needed

Read the full statement from disability organisations, including DSI, and activists regarding Ireland’s obligations under the UNCRPD and calling on the government to take specific actions to ensure rights are protected and promoted during the pandemic.

Hoedown Cancelled- Covid 19 Coronavirus

It is with deep regret that Down Syndrome Ireland Louth Meath Branch has to cancel the Hoedown for our World Down Syndrome Day celebrations due to the Coronavirus.

Many of our members are in the at-risk group and we feel that cancelling and rescheduling is the safest course of action at this time.

We aim to reschedule the Hoedown for October which is Down Syndrome awareness month.

If you have purchased tickets, you can hold on to them for the rescheduled date or you can get a full refund which is available on request.