Events
Online
Online Key Word Sign Catch Ups – Term 1
February 4th 2026 3:30pm (QLD)
Our accredited Key Word Sign presenter hosts monthly online Key Word Sign catch-ups.
On the first Wednesday of every month, we welcome you to join us and other like-minded educators and support staff to learn and practice signing.
No previous signing experience required; just bring your curiosity and willingness to have a go!
Stay for a few minutes or stay for the whole session, whatever you can manage in your busy schedules. We are here to support you on your signing journey!
Date and Time: First Wednesday of the month, 3:30pm – 4:15pm (AEST)
Location: Online via Microsoft Teams (link will be emailed to you upon registration)
PTC Meeting #1 - Elevating planning: Using strengths-based, adjustment-focused language to reframe personalised learning plans
Are you a Queensland teacher or leader in a school that has a student/s with an intellectual disability or Down syndrome? Would you like the opportunity to receive free PD and network with other education professionals throughout the school year?
Down Syndrome & Intellectual Disability Queensland would like to invite you to join our FREE Professional Teaching Cluster. Please see details of our first meeting for 2026 below:
Time: 3:15pm – 4:15pm
Topic: Elevating planning: Using strengths-based, adjustment-focused language to reframe personalised learning plans
Would you like your personalised learning plans (PLPs, ILPs, IEPs, or whatever acronym your school uses!) to truly reflect inclusive mindsets and an inclusive school environment?
In this session, we will explore how to craft plans that acknowledge disability and celebrate diversity, while shifting the focus from labels, deficits, and difficulties to strengths-based language and adjustment-focused plans to address barriers. This shift in planning will help to reframe practice and create powerful tools with practical advice about how to support all learners to thrive.
Registration closes on Monday 9th of February!
February 12th 2026 3:15pm (QLD)
PTC Meeting #2 - Writing tasks in the upper primary and secondary school years: Practical adjustments to include learners with Down syndrome or intellectual disability
Are you a Queensland teacher or leader in a school that has a student/s with an intellectual disability or Down syndrome? Would you like the opportunity to receive free PD and network with other education professionals throughout the school year?
Down Syndrome & Intellectual Disability Queensland would like to invite you to join our FREE Professional Teaching Cluster. Please see details of our second meeting for 2026 below:
Time: 3:15pm – 4:15pm
Topic: Writing tasks in the upper primary and secondary school years: Practical adjustments to include learners with Down syndrome or intellectual disability
Designed with students with Down syndrome and intellectual disability in mind, this session will explore Tier 1 strategies that strengthen writing instruction for all learners as well as Tier 2 adjustments to address specific barriers these students may face.
Registration closes on Monday 4th of May!
May 7th 2026 3:15pm (QLD)
Regional Events
Key Word Sign Workshop – Gladstone
Tuesday 24th February, 3:30-5:30pm
TBC
Do you teach or support a student with Down syndrome and/or Intellectual Disability? Then join us for FREE professional development on Key Word Sign (KWS) for educators in Gladstone and surrounding areas.
This workshop will also be beneficial for any teachers supporting students whose preferred communication style is sign.
What does the workshop include?
Introduction to Key Word Sign
Research-based engaging presentation
Numerous opportunities to practice
Printable KWS sentence strips for your school and students
EVENT CONCLUDED: Endless Possibilities Conference 2025
Did you miss the recent Endless Possibilities Conference 2025 event, proudly hosted by Down Syndrome & Intellectual Disability Queensland? Would you like to access presentations by experts in literacy and numeracy?
Then why not purchase the 2x1-hour recordings of the following presentations:
Associate Professor Kathy Cologon
Building on strengths and interests: Pathways to supporting learners as readers
Professor Rhonda Faragher
Maths and numeracy: Helping learners with Down syndrome and intellectual disability to succeed
Don’t miss this opportunity, click on the Access Conference Recordings button to invest in your Professional Development!