The Down Syndrome Association Gauteng (TDSAG) is a registered non-profit organisation and was established in 1986.

Our mission is to align our services with international trends and best practice in the field of intellectual disability.

We are committed to work to improve the quality of life of all persons born with Down syndrome and other intellectual disabilities, to promote their inherent right to live with independence and dignity, and to be active members of their communities.

We respect religious and cultural diversity, and we prioritise our work in disadvantaged communities where our services can contribute to social development.

The South African Constitution strives to inculcate an inclusive mindset towards all vulnerable people who deserve the dignity and right to be recognised and function as participating members of society. In reality, discrimination against disabled people continues to be socially created and has little to do with impairment.

People with disabilities in South Africa are often made to feel that being disabled is their own fault and that they have less value in our society than able-bodied people. Unfortunately, difference and diversity continue to be undervalued and stigmatised, promoting fear, ignorance and prejudice.
 
There is hope, however! The Down Syndrome Association Gauteng (TDSAG) works tirelessly to promote the rights of people with disabilities with programmes and initiatives that encourage persons with a disability to value themselves and their differences, and empower them to become active, positive contributors to their communities.

Great strides and achievements have been recorded at The Down Syndrome Association Gauteng, these thanks to the support of our Partners, Stakeholders, Donors and incredible Volunteers. Our hard work has raised much needed awareness and changed people’s perceptions about Down syndrome. Our support and intervention programmes have transformed lives, that would otherwise be forgotten. We work in the spirit of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and we strive to promote these rights in South Africa.
 
We are widely and closely allied in effective partnerships, locally and globally. Our support network includes alliance with local government, professionals from the public and private care sectors, academic institutions (including schools of specialised education), and international organisations in the field of intellectual disability.
 
Our social mandate is based on the human rights enshrined in the constitution. Yet too many learners with disabilities leave school without the skills that will allow them to live a life of dignity, away from poverty, inequality and prejudice.

We have learned from experience that the advice and information families receive from some care professionals is often disempowering and inappropriate. The birth of a disabled child often leads to parents and families feeling overwhelmed, uncertain, fearful and isolated.

We help families acquire and build on existing coping skills with training workshops, and we extend this training to other important role players in the community, such as educators, therapists, and community leaders. In this way, we help families and communities build social support networks most suited to their needs.