In the wake of recent media events, Special Olympics New Zealand has approached the Broadcasting Standards Authority and requested a review of the application of the Broadcasting Standards to ensure that the use of "retard" and "retarded" when referring to individuals with intellectual disability

By Kent Atkinson of NZPA

Wellington, Nov 8 NZPA - New Zealand may get a national screening programme for Down syndrome birth defects next year -- four years after health officials were told some of the present testing is not safe enough.

Wellington, Nov 8 NZPA - Large numbers of women are putting off having babies, resulting in more pregnancies affected by Down syndrome and more terminations of those pregnancies.

I am privileged to be able to speak to this conference, on behalf of the Associate Minister of Education and Minister of Maori Affairs, Hon Dr Pita Sharples.