Members Area
The Down Syndrome Medical Interest Group

Improving Healthcare for People with Down Syndrome

Terms and Conditions

Last updated: August 2026

1. About these Terms and Conditions

These Terms and Conditions apply to:

  • your use of the DSMIG websites;
  • applications for and use of DSMIG membership;
  • access to members-only information and resources;
  • purchases made through the DSMIG Store;
  • bookings for DSMIG events;
  • event tickets;
  • physical publications and products;
  • downloadable publications and other digital materials; and
  • other services provided through our websites.

DSMIG operates two closely connected websites:

  • www.dsmig.org.uk — our principal information, membership and resources website;
  • store.dsmig.org.uk — our online store for event tickets, publications and other products.

Together, these are referred to in these terms as the Websites.

Please read these terms before using the Websites, registering as a member or placing an order.

By using the Websites, you agree to the sections that apply to website use. When you apply for membership, place an order or book an event, you also agree to the sections relating to that service or purchase.

If you do not agree to these terms, you should not use the Websites, apply for membership or place an order.

Nothing in these terms limits any statutory rights that cannot lawfully be excluded.

2. About DSMIG

The Websites and DSMIG Store are operated by the Down Syndrome Medical Interest Group (UK and Ireland), referred to in these terms as DSMIG, we, us or our.

DSMIG is a registered charity.

Registered charity number: 1103450

Our contact details are:

Email: info@dsmig.org.uk

Postal address:

Down Syndrome Medical Interest Group
c/o Head Office
Down’s Syndrome Association
2a Langdon Park
Teddington
Middlesex
TW11 9PS

Telephone: 0333 1212 300

These contact details should be checked before publication and updated if DSMIG’s administrative arrangements change.

3. Definitions

In these terms:

Content means text, articles, guidance, publications, photographs, graphics, recordings, downloads and other material made available through the Websites.

Event means a conference, meeting, webinar, training session or other event organised or administered by DSMIG.

Member means a person whose DSMIG membership application has been accepted and whose membership remains current.

Order means an order for a ticket, publication, digital item or other product submitted through the DSMIG Store.

Store means the online store at store.dsmig.org.uk.

User, you or your means a person who visits or uses either Website, applies for membership, registers for an Event or places an Order.

4. Information provided through the Websites

The principal purpose of the main DSMIG website is to provide professional information and resources concerning Down syndrome and related healthcare matters.

We take reasonable care when preparing and maintaining our Content. However:

  • Content is provided for general educational and professional information;
  • it may not reflect every circumstance or the most recent research, guidance or clinical practice;
  • it is not intended to constitute personal medical advice, diagnosis or treatment;
  • it is not a substitute for assessment or advice from an appropriately qualified healthcare professional; and
  • reliance should not be placed on website Content when urgent or individual medical advice is required.

Healthcare professionals remain responsible for exercising their own professional judgement and following the standards, guidance and requirements applicable to their work.

Anyone seeking advice about an individual’s health should contact an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.

We may correct, update, withdraw or replace Content where appropriate.

5. Access to and availability of the Websites

We aim to keep the Websites available and functioning correctly, but we do not guarantee uninterrupted or error-free access.

Access may occasionally be restricted or interrupted because of:

  • maintenance or updates;
  • technical faults;
  • security incidents;
  • failures affecting hosting, telecommunications or third-party systems;
  • circumstances outside our reasonable control; or
  • changes to our services.

We may change, suspend or withdraw a part of either Website where reasonably necessary.

Where practical, we will try to minimise disruption, but we are not responsible for temporary unavailability that is outside our reasonable control.

6. Accounts and membership access

Some areas of the main Website are available only to current Members or registered Users.

You are responsible for:

  • providing accurate and current account information;
  • keeping your login details confidential;
  • using your account only for its intended purpose;
  • not allowing another person to use your account improperly; and
  • notifying us promptly if you believe your account has been accessed without permission.

You must not use another person’s account or attempt to gain access to information for which you are not authorised.

We may suspend access where we reasonably believe that:

  • an account is being used without authority;
  • login details have been shared improperly;
  • there is a security risk;
  • information supplied is materially inaccurate;
  • membership is no longer current; or
  • these terms have been seriously or repeatedly breached.

Where appropriate, we will explain the reason and provide an opportunity to resolve the issue.

7. DSMIG membership

Membership applications are subject to DSMIG’s applicable eligibility criteria and approval procedures.

Information about:

  • membership eligibility;
  • membership benefits;
  • membership fees;
  • the membership period;
  • renewals; and
  • any particular conditions applying to membership

will be displayed during the application or renewal process or otherwise communicated to the applicant.

You are responsible for ensuring that the information supplied in a membership application is accurate and complete.

Membership is personal to the Member and must not be transferred to another person.

Member login credentials and members-only Content must not be shared with people who are not entitled to access them.

DSMIG may contact Members about:

  • membership administration;
  • renewal;
  • changes affecting membership;
  • relevant DSMIG activities;
  • meetings, resources and professional information; and
  • matters reasonably connected with membership.

Any optional marketing or newsletter communications will be handled in accordance with the choices available to the Member and our Privacy Policy.

A Member may ask to end their membership by contacting DSMIG.

Ending membership does not automatically create a right to a full or partial refund of a membership fee. Any refund will depend on:

  • the membership information supplied when the membership was purchased;
  • the circumstances of the request;
  • services already supplied; and
  • any statutory rights that apply.

DSMIG may suspend or end membership where:

  • the Member no longer meets the relevant eligibility requirements;
  • fees properly due remain unpaid;
  • the membership has been obtained using false or misleading information;
  • access has been shared or misused;
  • the Member seriously or repeatedly breaches these terms; or
  • suspension or termination is reasonably necessary to protect DSMIG, its Members, its systems or another person.

We will act reasonably and, where appropriate, explain the decision.

8. Acceptable use

You may use the Websites only for lawful purposes.

You must not:

  • use the Websites fraudulently or unlawfully;
  • attempt to gain unauthorised access to an account, database, server or restricted area;
  • probe, scan or test the vulnerability of our systems without authorisation;
  • interfere with the operation or security of the Websites;
  • introduce viruses, malicious code or other harmful technology;
  • use automated systems to extract substantial amounts of Content without permission;
  • impersonate another person;
  • submit information that you know is false or misleading;
  • infringe another person’s intellectual-property, privacy or other legal rights;
  • send spam, abusive communications or malicious material through the Websites;
  • use the Websites to harass, threaten or discriminate against another person;
  • reproduce or commercially exploit members-only or purchased Content without permission; or
  • use the Websites in a manner that could damage DSMIG’s systems, reputation or ability to provide services to others.

We may take reasonable action to prevent or investigate misuse, including restricting access and preserving relevant security records.

9. Information you provide

You must provide information that is accurate, current and complete where it is required for:

  • membership;
  • an account;
  • an Order;
  • an Event booking;
  • ticket delivery;
  • membership verification;
  • delivery of a product;
  • accessibility or dietary arrangements; or
  • responding to an enquiry.

You must not knowingly provide a false email address, membership number, attendee identity or payment information.

Where you provide personal information about another attendee or individual, you are responsible for ensuring that:

  • the information is accurate;
  • you are authorised to provide it; and
  • the person understands that their information will be supplied to DSMIG for the relevant purpose.

Our handling of personal information is explained in our Privacy Policy.

10. Intellectual property

Unless otherwise stated, copyright and other intellectual-property rights in the Websites and Content belong to DSMIG or to the person or organisation that has licensed the material to us.

You may:

  • view publicly available Content for personal or professional reference;
  • print or download reasonable extracts for your own lawful, non-commercial use;
  • use purchased materials in accordance with any licence or instructions supplied with them; and
  • link to publicly available pages in a fair and lawful way.

Unless permission has been given or the law expressly permits it, you must not:

  • republish substantial parts of the Websites;
  • copy or distribute members-only Content to non-members;
  • reproduce or distribute purchased publications or digital products;
  • remove copyright, authorship or attribution notices;
  • sell, license or commercially exploit Content;
  • modify Content in a way that is misleading or damaging;
  • create a database from substantial extracts of the Websites; or
  • present DSMIG Content as though it were your own.

Purchasing a publication, ticket or digital product does not transfer ownership of its intellectual-property rights.

Requests for permission should be sent to info@dsmig.org.uk.

11. Material submitted to DSMIG

Where you submit research information, articles, photographs, presentations, comments or other material for possible publication, you confirm that:

  • you are entitled to provide the material;
  • its use will not infringe another person’s rights;
  • appropriate permissions and consents have been obtained;
  • it does not contain unlawful or knowingly misleading material; and
  • you have identified any restrictions on how it may be used.

Unless otherwise agreed, you give DSMIG permission to review, edit, format, reproduce and publish the submitted material for the purpose for which it was supplied.

Ownership of the material does not transfer to DSMIG unless this has been expressly agreed.

We are not obliged to publish submitted material and may remove or correct published material where reasonably necessary.

12. External links and third-party services

The Websites may contain links to external websites, research resources, charities, payment providers, social-media services and other third-party services.

A link does not necessarily mean that DSMIG endorses everything on the external website.

We do not control independently operated websites and are not responsible for:

  • their content;
  • availability;
  • security;
  • privacy practices;
  • products or services; or
  • changes made by their operators.

You should review the terms and privacy information of any external service you use.

This section does not limit responsibility that cannot lawfully be excluded.

Store Purchases

13. Application of the Store terms

Sections 13 to 29 apply when you purchase event tickets, publications, digital materials or other products through the DSMIG Store.

Additional information or conditions may be displayed on the relevant product or Event page.

Where an Event or product has specific conditions concerning eligibility, booking, delivery, cancellation, attendance or use, those conditions also form part of the agreement between you and DSMIG.

If an event-specific condition conflicts with these general terms, the event-specific condition will apply to that Event, provided that it was clearly brought to your attention before purchase and is lawful.

14. Placing an Order

You are responsible for checking your Order before submitting it, including:

  • the item or ticket selected;
  • the quantity;
  • the Event and date;
  • purchaser and attendee details;
  • membership details, where applicable;
  • billing and delivery information;
  • accessibility or dietary information, where requested; and
  • the total price.

After an Order is submitted, we will normally send an acknowledgement or confirmation to the email address provided.

An automated acknowledgement does not necessarily mean that an Order has been accepted.

The Order is accepted when we:

  • issue an Order confirmation;
  • confirm that payment has been accepted;
  • dispatch the product;
  • issue the ticket; or
  • otherwise confirm completion of the Order.

We may refuse or cancel an Order where:

  • payment has not been authorised;
  • the product or ticket is unavailable;
  • an obvious price or description error has occurred;
  • the Order appears fraudulent or unauthorised;
  • member pricing has been used without valid eligibility;
  • applicable booking restrictions have been breached; or
  • we cannot fulfil the Order for a reasonable operational or legal reason.

If we cancel an Order after taking payment, we will normally refund the price of the cancelled item unless a lawful reason prevents this.

15. Prices and payment

Prices are shown in pounds sterling.

The total payable, including applicable taxes and compulsory charges, will be displayed before the Order is submitted.

Any delivery charge will also be shown before purchase.

Payment must be made using one of the methods available during checkout.

Card payments are processed by the payment provider identified during checkout. DSMIG does not normally receive or retain complete payment-card details.

You must not make an unauthorised payment or use payment details without the cardholder’s permission.

16. Member-only tickets and member pricing

Some tickets, products or prices may be restricted to current DSMIG Members.

To obtain member access or pricing, you may be required to:

  • log in through the main Website;
  • follow a secure link from the members’ area;
  • provide a DSMIG membership number;
  • provide the Member’s name or email address; or
  • supply other information reasonably required to verify eligibility.

The membership details supplied must relate to the eligible Member for whom the member-priced item is intended, unless the offer clearly states otherwise.

DSMIG may compare membership information with its membership records.

If eligibility cannot be verified, we may:

  • contact the purchaser;
  • request corrected information;
  • require payment of the difference between the member and non-member price; or
  • cancel and refund the affected item.

Providing membership information does not transfer membership rights to another person.

Events and Tickets

17. Event information

The relevant Event page or booking information should identify, where applicable:

  • the Event title;
  • date and time;
  • venue or online delivery method;
  • ticket price;
  • membership eligibility;
  • what is included;
  • any booking deadline;
  • the cancellation and refund policy;
  • whether ticket transfers are permitted;
  • accessibility arrangements;
  • dietary arrangements;
  • age or professional eligibility restrictions;
  • recording or photography arrangements; and
  • any other important attendance conditions.

You should review this information before booking.

18. Ticket delivery

Tickets will normally be delivered electronically to the purchaser or attendee email address entered during checkout.

You are responsible for checking that the email address and attendee details are correct.

Please check spam or junk folders if an expected ticket or confirmation does not arrive.

You should contact DSMIG promptly if you believe that a ticket has not been received.

A ticket may normally be presented electronically on a telephone or other suitable device. A printed copy is not required unless the Event information states otherwise.

The ticket’s QR code or other validation information must remain readable.

19. Attendee information

Where an Order contains more than one ticket, information may be required for each attendee.

Attendee information may be used to:

  • administer the booking;
  • issue and validate tickets;
  • communicate essential Event information;
  • verify membership eligibility;
  • arrange agreed accessibility or dietary requirements;
  • prepare attendance records;
  • provide continuing professional development records where applicable; and
  • manage admission and attendance.

The purchaser must have permission to provide another attendee’s personal information.

20. Use of tickets

Tickets may be used only for the Event, date and attendee for which they were issued, subject to any permitted transfer.

Tickets must not be:

  • copied or duplicated;
  • altered;
  • resold commercially;
  • used fraudulently; or
  • obtained through false membership information.

DSMIG may refuse admission where a ticket:

  • has already been used;
  • has been cancelled or refunded;
  • appears to have been copied or altered;
  • was obtained fraudulently;
  • was obtained using invalid member eligibility; or
  • is presented by someone who does not meet a clearly stated attendance requirement.

Where reasonably possible, we will try to resolve genuine booking errors before refusing admission.

21. Ticket transfers

A ticket may be transferred to another attendee only where DSMIG permits transfers for that Event.

A transfer request should be made using the contact information on the Event page or Order confirmation.

DSMIG may require:

  • the existing Order number;
  • the original attendee’s details;
  • the replacement attendee’s details;
  • updated accessibility or dietary information; and
  • confirmation of membership eligibility.

A member-priced ticket may be transferred only to another person who satisfies the relevant membership condition, unless DSMIG agrees otherwise.

22. Customer cancellations and refunds for Events

The cancellation and refund arrangements for each Event will be shown on the relevant Event page or during booking.

Event tickets for an activity taking place on a specified date or during a specified period do not normally carry the standard 14-day cooling-off right that applies to many other online purchases.

Unless the Event-specific conditions state otherwise:

  • cancellation requests must be made in writing;
  • a cancellation deadline is calculated from the time DSMIG receives the request;
  • failure to attend does not automatically entitle the purchaser or attendee to a refund;
  • tickets may be transferred only in accordance with section 21;
  • refunds will normally be returned using the original payment method; and
  • any deduction or cancellation charge will be made only where it was clearly disclosed, is lawful and reasonably reflects the circumstances.

Any statutory rights remain unaffected.

The client should approve a clear cancellation and refund policy for each Event before tickets go on sale. For example, an Event page may state that refunds are available until a particular date and that attendee substitutions are accepted after that date.

23. Event changes, postponement and cancellation by DSMIG

DSMIG may make reasonable changes to an Event, including changes to:

  • speakers;
  • programme content;
  • timings;
  • rooms within a venue;
  • delivery format;
  • supporting materials; or
  • other arrangements.

We will take reasonable steps to notify attendees of a significant change using the contact details supplied during booking.

If an Event is postponed, we will explain the available options. These may include:

  • retaining the ticket for the rearranged date;
  • transferring the booking to another Event; or
  • requesting a refund within a stated period.

If DSMIG cancels an Event and does not provide a suitable alternative, the purchaser will normally receive a refund of the ticket price.

Unless the law requires otherwise, DSMIG is not responsible for separate costs incurred by an attendee, such as:

  • travel;
  • accommodation;
  • childcare;
  • subsistence; or
  • loss of earnings.

Attendees should consider using refundable or flexible travel and accommodation arrangements.

Nothing in this section excludes responsibility that cannot lawfully be excluded.

24. Event attendance and conduct

Attendees must behave reasonably and follow:

  • lawful instructions from DSMIG, venue staff and Event organisers;
  • venue safety and security rules;
  • applicable professional standards;
  • emergency procedures; and
  • any Event-specific code of conduct.

DSMIG may refuse admission or require an attendee to leave where the attendee:

  • poses a safety or security risk;
  • behaves in a threatening, abusive, discriminatory or seriously disruptive manner;
  • interferes materially with the Event;
  • damages property;
  • records or photographs people contrary to stated restrictions; or
  • seriously breaches the Event conditions.

A refund will not normally be provided where removal results from the attendee’s serious misconduct.

This does not prevent DSMIG from making reasonable adjustments for disabled attendees.

25. Accessibility and dietary requirements

Attendees should provide accessibility or dietary requirements by the deadline stated on the Event page.

DSMIG will take reasonable steps to meet notified requirements but cannot guarantee that every request can be accommodated.

Where an Event is held at a third-party venue or catering is supplied by another organisation, relevant information may need to be shared with that provider.

Attendees with severe allergies or other important medical requirements should contact DSMIG before booking or attending so that available arrangements can be discussed.

Information should be limited to what is reasonably needed for the arrangement.

26. Photography, recording and online Events

DSMIG may photograph or record an Event where this has been clearly explained to attendees.

The Event information should state:

  • whether photography or recording is planned;
  • how recordings or photographs may be used;
  • whether attendees may be identifiable; and
  • how an attendee can raise a concern or request an available alternative.

Attendees must not make or distribute their own recording where this is prohibited by the Event conditions or would infringe another person’s privacy or intellectual-property rights.

For an online Event, access links are personal to the registered attendee and must not be shared unless DSMIG permits this.

Products and Publications

27. Physical products

We take reasonable care to describe physical products accurately.

Images are illustrative, and colours or appearance may vary according to the device on which they are viewed.

Products are subject to availability.

If a product is unavailable after an Order is placed, we may:

  • provide an estimated availability date;
  • offer an alternative, which you may accept or reject; or
  • cancel and refund the unavailable item.

We will not substitute a materially different product without your agreement.

Available delivery methods, charges and estimated timescales will be displayed during checkout.

Unless another period is agreed, physical goods will normally be delivered within the period stated during purchase.

You are responsible for supplying an accurate and complete delivery address.

Risk in physical goods passes to you when they are delivered to you or to a person you nominate.

Ownership passes when DSMIG has received full payment and the goods have been delivered.

28. Cancellation rights for physical goods

Where the applicable consumer cancellation rules apply, a consumer may normally cancel an online Order for physical goods within 14 days after receiving them.

You must clearly notify DSMIG that you wish to cancel.

You will then normally have a further 14 days to return the goods.

Unless the item is faulty, incorrect or not as described, you may be responsible for the direct cost of returning it.

You must take reasonable care of returned products.

Where handling beyond what is reasonably necessary has reduced a product’s value, DSMIG may make a lawful deduction from the refund.

Change-of-mind cancellation rights may not apply to certain products, including:

  • personalised or specially produced goods;
  • sealed goods unsuitable for return for health or hygiene reasons once unsealed; and
  • other products excluded under applicable consumer law.

Any applicable exclusion will be identified before purchase.

Your rights concerning faulty, damaged, incorrect or misdescribed goods are not affected.

29. Faulty, damaged or incorrect products

Please contact DSMIG promptly if a product:

  • arrives damaged;
  • is faulty;
  • is not as described;
  • is not of satisfactory quality; or
  • is not the item ordered.

We may ask for photographs or other reasonable information to investigate.

Depending on the circumstances and your statutory rights, an appropriate remedy may include:

  • repair;
  • replacement;
  • price reduction; or
  • refund.

Nothing in these terms limits legal rights relating to faulty or misdescribed goods.

30. Digital products and downloads

Where the Store supplies downloadable publications, recordings or other digital content, the product page will explain:

  • what is being supplied;
  • how access will be provided;
  • any technical or compatibility requirements;
  • any usage restrictions; and
  • the applicable price.

Where immediate digital delivery affects a statutory cancellation right, DSMIG will obtain any express agreement and acknowledgement required before the download or access begins.

Unless a wider licence is expressly provided, digital products are supplied for the purchaser’s own lawful personal or professional use.

You must not:

  • redistribute the file publicly;
  • share it with unauthorised users;
  • resell it;
  • remove copyright notices;
  • publish substantial extracts; or
  • use it commercially beyond the licence supplied.

If paid digital content is faulty or materially different from its description, the purchaser may have statutory rights to an appropriate remedy.

General Provisions

31. Privacy and cookies

DSMIG processes personal information in accordance with its Privacy Policy.

Our use of cookies and similar technologies is explained in our Cookie Policy.

The Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy apply across both Websites.

32. Our responsibility

We are responsible for foreseeable loss or damage caused by:

  • our breach of these terms;
  • our negligence; or
  • our failure to exercise reasonable care and skill.

We are not responsible for loss or damage that was not reasonably foreseeable when the relevant contract was made.

Nothing in these terms excludes or limits responsibility where doing so would be unlawful, including responsibility for:

  • death or personal injury caused by negligence;
  • fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation;
  • breach of statutory consumer rights that cannot lawfully be excluded; or
  • another liability that the law does not permit us to exclude.

We are not responsible for an attendee’s independent travel, accommodation or other arrangements except where the law requires otherwise.

Where a person purchases wholly or mainly for business or professional purposes, DSMIG will not be responsible for loss of profit, loss of business, loss of opportunity or indirect commercial loss, except where such responsibility cannot lawfully be excluded.

33. Events outside our reasonable control

DSMIG is not responsible for delay or failure caused by circumstances outside our reasonable control.

These may include:

  • severe weather;
  • fire, flood or natural disaster;
  • transport disruption;
  • venue closure;
  • epidemic, pandemic or public-health restrictions;
  • industrial action;
  • interruption of utilities or telecommunications;
  • failure of a third-party payment, ticketing or hosting system;
  • government action;
  • civil emergency; or
  • another comparable event.

Where such circumstances affect a service, Event or Order, we will take reasonable steps to minimise disruption and explain the options reasonably available.

34. Complaints

Please contact DSMIG if you have a complaint concerning:

  • either Website;
  • membership;
  • an Order;
  • a product;
  • a ticket;
  • an Event; or
  • a DSMIG service.

Email: info@dsmig.org.uk

Please include enough information for us to investigate, including an Order number where relevant.

We will aim to acknowledge and respond within a reasonable period.

These terms do not affect any right to seek independent advice or use another remedy available under law.

35. Changes to these terms

We may update these Terms and Conditions to reflect changes in:

  • our Websites;
  • our activities;
  • our services;
  • technology;
  • operational requirements; or
  • applicable law and guidance.

The updated version will be published on the Websites with a revised date.

The terms that normally apply to an Order, membership purchase or Event booking are those made available when the transaction took place.

A later change will not retrospectively alter an existing purchase unless:

  • the law requires it;
  • the change benefits the customer without imposing a disadvantage; or
  • the parties agree to the change.

Continued ordinary use of the Websites after an update will be subject to the updated website-use provisions.

36. Transfer of rights

You may not transfer your contractual rights or obligations to another person except:

  • where ticket transfers are permitted under section 21;
  • where DSMIG agrees in writing; or
  • where the law gives you that right.

DSMIG may transfer its rights or obligations only where this does not reduce your legal protections.

37. No waiver

If DSMIG delays exercising a right or does not exercise it on one occasion, this does not mean that the right has been waived.

A waiver concerning one breach does not automatically apply to another breach.

38. Severability

If any part of these terms is found to be unlawful or unenforceable, it will be treated as removed or adjusted only to the minimum extent necessary.

The remaining provisions will continue to apply.

39. Entire agreement

These terms, together with the information clearly supplied during a membership application, product purchase or Event booking, form the agreement relating to that transaction.

Nothing in this section excludes responsibility for fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation.

40. Governing law and courts

These terms are governed by the law of England and Wales.

If you are a consumer resident in another part of the United Kingdom, you may also benefit from the mandatory protections of the law applicable where you live and may be entitled to bring proceedings in the courts of that jurisdiction.

41. Contact us

Questions about these Terms and Conditions may be sent to:

Email: info@dsmig.org.uk

Postal address:

Down Syndrome Medical Interest Group
c/o Head Office
Down’s Syndrome Association
2a Langdon Park
Teddington
Middlesex
TW11 9PS

Telephone: 0333 1212 300