News & Events

 by Samantha Iannone

NDSC’s recent statements and calls to action on various policy updates

We are incredibly grateful to everyone in our Down syndrome community who has shown their support for our recent statements. Your voices are invaluable as we work together to protect the policies that support our loved ones. In a dynamic political landscape, your engagement and advocacy are more important than ever, and we’re excited to continue moving forward together.

 

What exactly is the U.S. Department of Education, and why is it critical for students with disabilities?

The National Down Syndrome Congress is extremely alarmed by misinformation being spread about the Department of Education and has created this factsheet to clear up any confusion. The U.S. Department of Education plays a vital, irreplaceable role in supporting students with disabilities under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), and students with disabilities will be harmed under any scenario that includes breaking up the Department by mass firings and scattering its parts to other agencies, turning IDEA into a voucher program, or block granting IDEA funds to the states with no federal oversight. Please learn the FACTS and then contact your U.S. Senators and Representative and let them know that dismantling or otherwise weakening the Department of Education will significantly harm all students with disabilities.
Read our U.S. Department of Education Fact Sheet: “Why Protecting IDEA and the U.S. Department of Education is Essential for Students with Disabilities,” authored by Stephanie Smith Lee, NDSC Policy & Advocacy Co-Director, Former Director, Office of Special Education Programs, U.S. Department of Education 2002-2005

What is Medicaid? How will my loved one with Down syndrome be affected by caps and cuts? Did you know that most people with Down syndrome are on Medicaid?

Medicaid is a federal-state partnership that supports people with disabilities throughout their lifetimes. It often has different names in different states. Medicaid helps people with disabilities to get the care they need to protect their health and well-being and to live with dignity. It is more than just a nationwide health care program; it also covers things such as help with personal tasks like feeding, bathing, and dressing. Medicaid provides supports to adults with disabilities such as job coaching and personal supports that people with disabilities need to work. It provides funding for services in schools for students with disabilities.

NDSC Responds to Linda McMahon Confirmation

Linda McMahon won confirmation as U.S. Education Secretary on March 3, gaining Senate approval in a 51-45 vote along party lines. Given the current state of the U.S. Department of Education (ED) with employees laid off, research funding cut, and proposals to eliminate the Department and block grant the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the federal special education law, we will be closely watching developments at ED. NDSC believes a strong ED is critical to students with disabilities, their families, and educators. We will be reaching out to ED in the near future to share our concerns.

Section 504 Lawsuit Threatens Disability Rights

Seventeen states joined together to file a lawsuit, Texas v. Becerra, that threatens long-established rights for persons with disabilities covered under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. This 1973 law bars discrimination on the basis of disability at any entity, program or activity that receives federal funds such as schools and hospitals. The lawsuit, initially filed to challenge a Biden administration regulation, also asks the court to declare Section 504 unconstitutional in its entirety.  Since such a ruling would be devastating for people with disabilities, there has been a public outcry urging the seventeen state Attorneys General to remove their states from the lawsuit. A new court filing from the 17 states on February 19 declared that they did not mean to have Section 504 declared unconstitutional. However, as explained at the link below, the lawsuit was not changed, and the very real risk of losing the civil rights protections in Section 504 remain.

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The U.S. Department of Education is in imminent danger of being weakened and dismantled

The U.S. Department of Education is in imminent danger of being weakened and dismantled by the Administration through proposed Executive Orders, actions by Elon Musk and his DOGE team, and through legislation in Congress to abolish it. Such actions would have dire consequences for students, educators, and the future of our education system, and especially students with disabilities. These actions could result in the loss of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and civil rights protections under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), as well as the loss of billions of dollars in funding for special education services and programs.
Disability laws and special education have always had strong bipartisan support. We call on the Administration and Congress to step back and discuss ways to improve the U.S. education system and best serve students with disabilities in a bipartisan manner before it’s too late. NDSC will be releasing an Action Alert to contact your legislators.

National Down Syndrome Congress commends new U.S. Department of Education Transition Guidance

The National Down Syndrome Congress (NDSC) applauds the release of new U. S. Department of Education guidance, Coordinating Transition Services and Postsecondary Access, that clarifies that vocational rehabilitation (VR) and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) funds may be used to support students with intellectual disability (ID) enrolled in Comprehensive Transition and Postsecondary Programs for Students with ID (CTPs). These programs provide academic, social and independent living, and career education and training at community colleges, colleges and universities.

NDSC Policy & Advocacy Co-Director, Stephanie Smith Lee, stated, “This is a significant step forward and we deeply appreciate the Department releasing this guidance on an issue individuals with Down syndrome and their families have championed for many years. VR and IDEA funding will open doors for students with Down syndrome and other intellectual disabilities to access inclusive programs that pave the way to employment and community living.”

NDSC has led a years-long effort to encourage the department to issue clear guidance. The 2018 Addressing the Policy Tangle report co-authored by Lee, Madeleine Will, and Denise Rozell of AUCD, led to guidance in 2020. However questions still remained in the field. This new guidance makes it very clear that VR funds may be used to support students with disabilities in CTPs. The guidance also provides information about the conditions under which IDEA funds may be used, such as in dual enrollment programs.

The National Down Syndrome Congress (NDSC) expresses our condolences to all who lost loved ones in last night’s terrible plane crash in DC

We are dismayed by President Trump’s unsubstantiated and harmful comments placing blame on the hiring of persons with intellectual disabilities for this disaster. People with intellectual disabilities already face enormous systemic and attitudinal barriers to employment, despite the many gifts and talents that they bring to a workplace. We call on everyone to speak about and treat people with intellectual disabilities with the respect they deserve.

Call TODAY to Protect Medicaid as Part of Nationwide Medicaid Day of Action

NDSC is advocating on many fronts for people with Down syndrome and other disabilities. One area of high priority for NDSC is preserving and strengthening Medicaid. NDSC firmly opposes all caps, cuts, and work requirements (which are essentially additional cuts) for Medicaid. Today is Medicaid Day of Action that NDSC is participating in with our coalition partners.

Medicaid is a vital joint federal and state program that provides health insurance and access to long term services and supports in home and community settings for people with disabilities. It covers 72 million people in the United States, including 17 million people with disabilities. It is often the only health insurance that can meet disabled people’s needs because it covers many services not covered by private insurance or Medicare. It also provides funding for early intervention programs and to schools for items such as behavioral health supports and therapies. At the state level, Medicaid funding provides access for people with disabilities to Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS), which help 4.5 million people with disabilities to live, work, and engage in the community. HCBS are critical to people with disabilities as they provide services such as in-home health care, job training, coaching, and placement, personal supports, and other services that are critical to people with disabilities.

Medicaid is on the chopping block in Congress, and any cuts to Medicaid at the federal level will have a ripple effect on the States, which will be forced to cut “optional” services for people with disabilities such as HCBS. Many states already have long waitlists for people to access HCBS supports through their waiver systems, and cuts at the federal level will make these waitlists even longer.

It is important to call your Members of Congress TODAY to let them know that Medicaid is a vital lifeline for people with disabilities and any cuts, caps, or work requirements will significantly hurt people with disabilities and their families. In the coming weeks, NDSC will be collecting Medicaid impact stories from people in the Down syndrome community and preparing our own Medicaid advocacy campaign. In the meantime, we encourage you to use this Action Alert prepared by our colleagues at The Arc of the United States:

Action Alert

FEDERAL FUNDING FREEZE UPDATE

A funding freeze on government programs has been rescinded, but our concerns about serious threats to vital federal grants and programs for people with disabilities remain. On January 27, the Office of Management & Budget announced a freeze of federal financial assistance programs, causing widespread confusion and deep concern about freezing trillions of dollars of federal grants and loans. Later directions to federal agencies listed 2,600 programs subject to comprehensive review and the related funding “pause”, including many programs of critical importance to individuals with Down syndrome and their families. Agencies were directed to examine whether each program is consistent with the President’s priorities and report to OMB by February 10.
On January 28 the funding freeze was temporarily blocked by a federal judge. Then yesterday, January 29, the Administration withdrew the OMB memo imposing the blanket funding freeze. Despite the recession of this memo, it appears that agencies are still being required to justify spending on current programs authorized by Congress and that continued federal funding for many programs is still at risk.
NDSC is working in collaboration with other disability organizations and coalitions to protect funding for programs essential to individuals with Down syndrome and their families. We encourage everyone to contact their Members of Congress about the importance of these programs.

NDSC condemns the use of the “R-word” and calls for respectful language

In response to the recent uptick in the use of the “R word” in public dialogue, The National Down Syndrome Congress (NDSC) issues the following statement. NDSC condemns the use of the “R-word” in all contexts, regardless of intention and without exception. It is disrespectful and dehumanizing to all people with intellectual disabilities.As explained by our colleagues at Special Olympics, “The R-word is a form of hate speech that stands for “retard,” “retarded,” or other offensive words ending in “-tard.” While “mental retardation” was originally introduced as a medical term in 1961 for people with intellectual disabilities, in the decades since, the R-word has become an insult used all too commonly in everyday language.”NDSC Executive Director, Jim Hudson, stated, “NDSC works to promote equal rights and opportunities for people with Down syndrome. The use of the “R-word” is painful to individuals with intellectual disability and their families and sets our movement back decades. We implore people to stop using this derogatory language and treat people with Down syndrome with the respect and dignity they deserve.

 

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 by Samantha Iannone

National Down Syndrome Congress commends new U.S. Department of Education Transition Guidance

National Down Syndrome Congress commends new U.S. Department of Education Transition Guidance

The National Down Syndrome Congress (NDSC) applauds the release of new U. S. Department of Education guidance, Coordinating Transition Services and Postsecondary Access, that clarifies that vocational rehabilitation (VR) and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) funds may be used to support students with intellectual disability (ID) enrolled in Comprehensive Transition and Postsecondary Programs for Students with ID (CTPs). These programs provide academic, social and independent living, and career education and training at community colleges, colleges and universities. 

NDSC Policy & Advocacy Co-Director, Stephanie Smith Lee, stated, “This is a significant step forward and we deeply appreciate the Department releasing this guidance on an issue individuals with Down syndrome and their families have championed for many years. VR and IDEA funding will open doors for students with Down syndrome and other intellectual disabilities to access inclusive programs that pave the way to employment and community living.”

NDSC has led a years-long effort to encourage the department to issue clear guidance. The 2018 Addressing the Policy Tangle report co-authored by Lee, Madeleine Will, and Denise Rozell of AUCD, led to guidance in 2020. However questions still remained in the field. This new guidance makes it very clear that VR funds may be used to support students with disabilities in CTPs. The guidance also provides information about the conditions under which IDEA funds may be used, such as in dual enrollment programs.

Read full press release

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 by Samantha Iannone

NDSC condemns the use of the “R-word” and calls for respectful language

NDSC condemns the use of the “R-word” and calls for respectful language

In response to the recent uptick in the use of the “R word” in public dialogue, The National Down Syndrome Congress (NDSC) issues the following statement. 

NDSC condemns the use of the “R-word” in all contexts, regardless of intention and without exception. It is disrespectful and dehumanizing to all people with intellectual disabilities.

As explained by our colleagues at Special Olympics, “The R-word is a form of hate speech that stands for “retard,” “retarded,” or other offensive words ending in “-tard.” While “mental retardation” was originally introduced as a medical term in 1961 for people with intellectual disabilities, in the decades since, the R-word has become an insult used all too commonly in everyday language.”

NDSC Executive Director, Jim Hudson, stated, “NDSC works to promote equal rights and opportunities for people with Down syndrome. The use of the “R-word” is painful to individuals with intellectual disability and their families and sets our movement back decades. We implore people to stop using this derogatory language and treat people with Down syndrome with the respect and dignity they deserve.

Read full press release

 

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 by Kim Owens

NDSC Announces Next Executive Director

The National Down Syndrome Congress (NDSC) Board announced today the appointment of the next Executive Director, Jim Hudson. Jim comes to the NDSC from the Down Syndrome Association of Greater Cincinnati, where he serves as their executive director. Jim’s expertise in leadership and development led to the expansion of several excellent supports, resources, and overall experiences for individuals with Down syndrome, their families, and the broader community. In making the announcement, the NDSC President, Sean Smith, said, “The NDSC Board is excited to welcome Jim at a pivotal time for individuals with Down syndrome. His mission-focused leadership style will further propel the NDSC in its commitment to providing information, advocacy, and support concerning all aspects of life for individuals with Down syndrome. As we prepare to gather in Phoenix, AZ, for the 52nd Annual NDSC Convention, please join the NDSC in welcoming Jim Hudson as our next executive director.”

Jim said, “Serving as the DSAGC executive director during the last season of my career has been an honor and privilege. Most of all, I’ve enjoyed the countless touch points I’ve experienced when interacting with children and adults with Down syndrome and their families. I’m humbled, energized, and thrilled that I’ll still get to serve the Down syndrome community, but now on a national level, as the executive director of the National Down Syndrome Congress.

I appreciate the belief the NDSC Board of Directors has in my innate strengths, extensive nonprofit background, and core leadership style and principles that I will bring to the table to help NDSC thrive and grow in the years ahead as we collectively strive to fulfill our mission. I can’t wait to get started and look forward to seeing and meeting many of you in Phoenix at NDSC’s Annual Convention.”

Jim Hudson will begin the position of NDSC executive director on June 19, 2024.

Welcome, Jim

 

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 by Samantha Iannone

National Down Syndrome Congress (NDSC) Announces 2024 Award Winners

The National Down Syndrome Congress (NDSC) is pleased to announce the recipients of the annual NDSC awards that will be presented at the NDSC Convention in Phoenix on July 27, 2024. Each of these individuals and organizations are outstanding in their service to and efforts on behalf of individuals with Down syndrome. We congratulate these awardees and thank them for their dedication and impact.

The Affiliate Group Award is awarded to the Down Syndrome Association of Central Oklahoma (DSACO), located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. This award recognizes an affiliate group that has performed outstanding service on behalf of people with Down syndrome and their families. Affiliate groups are judged for this award on advocacy services, relationship to the NDSC, support to families, fundraising activities, and local and regional programs and services and community activities. The individual who nominated the DSACO shared that, “Since 2000, the Down Syndrome Association of Central Oklahoma (DSACO) has been raising awareness and providing resources, as well as promoting acceptance and inclusion for people with Down syndrome. They have provided education and advocacy to the State Superintendent, Mayor of Oklahoma City, students in family sciences at a local university, and more.” Sarah Soell, the association’s Executive Director, will be accepting the award on the group’s behalf.

The Christian Pueschel Memorial Citizen Award is awarded to Heather Hancock-Blackburn of Moore, Oklahoma. This award recognizes an individual with Down syndrome whose achievements, service, and contributions have enhanced the value and the dignity of people with Down syndrome and their families. Heather is a fierce advocate for the inclusion of individuals with Down syndrome and is dedicated to advocating for changes to laws that would make it easier for people with Down syndrome to get married to people they love and so they can live their dreams together. Heather met her husband, Craig Blackburn, at an NDSC Convention. Learn more about Heather on the NDSC website.

The Education Award is awarded to Stacy Taylor, Ed.D. of Oviedo, Florida. Stacy serves as the President and Clinical Director of Advance Behavior & Learning. This award recognizes outstanding performance on behalf of students with Down syndrome based on demonstrated leadership and innovation in creating or advancing best educational practices for students with Down syndrome. The individual who nominated Stacy shared that, “Dr. Taylor has been a dedicated and exceptional educator and behavior analyst for decades. Her willingness and passion around positive behavior supports and techniques to assist individuals with Down syndrome to speak, learn and engage in their community inclusively is second to none. Frustrated with the lack of understanding by schools on how to engage in best-practice inclusive education, especially for students with Down syndrome, Stacy founded her own school called Advance Learning Academy which serves student from preschool through high school.” She is a frequent speaker at NDSC-sponsored education conferences.

The Employer of the Year Award is awarded to The University of Kansas Health System’s Hospitality Services Team located in Kansas City, Kansas. This award recognizes an employer for efforts in creating employment opportunities and accessible, welcoming, and inclusive work environments for people with Down syndrome. Jeff Novorr, Vice President for Hospitality Services at the The University of Kansas Health System will be accepting the award. The individual who nominated KU’s Health System’s Hospitality Services Team shared that, “I work as a patient greeter in patient transport at the main hospital. I love my job, and I love being part of the team. There are other people with Down syndrome who work at the hospital. Jeff Novorr has been the leader on employing more people with disabilities. I am so proud to have a job at KU.”

Two Exceptional Meritorious Service Awards are awarded to Heather Bradley of Stillwater, Minnesota and Ricki Sabia, J.D. of Olney, Maryland. This award recognizes an individual whose service and contributions to people with Down syndrome and their families have had local, state, and national significance.

  • Heather Bradley is the co-founder and Past President of Down Syndrome Diagnosis Network (DSDN), a national nonprofit that supports new families and works to ensure parents have an unbiased diagnosis experience are are provided up-to-date resources. Heather’s vision for DSDN came from hearing other families diagnosis experiences in a Facebook group that Jen Jacob (DSDN’s Co-Founder) started in 2013. With a background in business and finance, Heather and the DSDN team worked tirelessly to grow DSDN from a network of 100 to a network of over 22,000 families and propelled DSDN to being a preferred resource listed for new families by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
  • Ricki Sabia’s work over the past two decades has focused on increasing state accountability for academic performance and improving educational opportunities, inclusion, and post-school outcomes for students with disabilities, especially those with Down syndrome. Ricki has had an extraordinarily positive impact nationally. Ricki is widely recognized as the top expert on education policy impacting students with intellectual disability. Learn more about Ricki on the NDSC website.

The National Media Award is awarded to Amy Silverman of Phoenix, Arizona. This award honors outstanding national media efforts, which create a better understanding of Down syndrome and people with Down syndrome. The award recognizes programs on television, documentaries, feature films, national publications, serials, syndicated columns, and social media. Amy Silverman is a journalist, writer and teacher whose focus is improving coverage of people with disabilities. She often mixes investigative reporting with memoir, as she writes (with permission) about her daughter, Sophie, who has Down syndrome. Amy’s work has appeared in Slate, STAT, ProPublica and the Center for Public Integrity, as well as on the radio show This American Life. Amy is a member of the advisory board of the National Center on Disability and Journalism and the creator of the storytelling program WORDSLAW, designed to center the stories of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Learn more about Amy at amy-silverman.com

The National Social Media Award is awarded to Extra Lucky Moms, which is run by Taryn Lagonigro and Jess Quarello of New Jersey. This award honors outstanding use of social media to connect the Down syndrome community and/or create a better understanding of Down syndrome and people with Down syndrome. Taryn Lagonigro and Jess Quarello are the co-founders of Extra Lucky Moms and are dedicated to inspiring all people to embrace inclusion in every aspect of the word, espeically disability. They are dedicated to spreading the joy and inspiring everyone to see life through an Extra Lucky lens.

The Pueschel/Tjossem Research Award is awarded to Jonathan Santoro, M.D. of Los Angeles, California. This award recognizes research that has contributed to greater knowledge and understanding of Down syndrome and has improved the lives of people with Down syndrome or their families. Dr. Santoro serves as the Director of Neuroimmunology and Director of Research for the Neurologic Institute at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. He is also an Associate Professor of Neurology and Pediatrics at the Keck School of Medicine at USC. Dr. Santoro is one of only a handful of national clinician-scientists who treats neurologic disorders associated with Down syndrome. His translational research focuses on cerebrovascular disease and neuroinflammatory disorders such as Down Syndrome Regression Disorder (DSRD).

The Self-Advocate International Impact Award is awarded to Korok Biswas of Kolkata, West Bengal, India. This award recognizes an individual with Down syndrome, outside of the United States, whose accomplishments, service, and contributions have made a significant global impact, elevating the value, dignity, and recognition of individuals with Down syndrome and their families. Korok is an internationally recognized dancer who hopes to inspire future generations of people with down syndrome to follow their dreams. You can view some of Korok’s dances on his Youtube channel.

The Sig Pueschel Service Award is awarded to Dave Donahue of Lombard, Illinois and his family members Adam Donahue, Mary Ferkel, Angelica Camacho, and Jessie Camacho. This award recognizes an individual or organization for outstanding contributions to the NDSC. Dave and his family are being recognized for their many years of service as members of the Youth and Adult Support Team, leading and implementing the Youth and Adult Conference, the “heart and soul” of the NDSC convention. The individual who nominated Dave and his family shared that, “Dave and his family are an integral part and the Y and A Conference and it would not be possible without them and their leadership and participation. They contribute their time not only in the planning for this important event, but they also pay for their own expenses to attend the convention. Their participation is synonymous with the Youth and Adult Conference and their contributions make a significant impact on our community.”

The NDSC would like to formally thank all of the award winners and those who took the time to submit nominations for the 2024 award cycle.

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 by NDSC

National Down Syndrome Congress The Scoop: The Big Six for Employing People with Disabilities

By Jeff Novorr, Vice President of Hospitality Services, University of Kansas Health System

Here’s the scoop… Walt Disney once famously said, “It all started with a Mouse.” For me, it all started with a scoop (of ice cream). You read that right – my exposure to disability employment began with a scoop – a Golden Scoop to be exact.  In 2021, after reading an article in the local media, I visited The Golden Scoop, a then-new, not-for-profit ice cream shop in Overland Park, Kansas. You see, they mostly employ people with disabilities, and according to the article I read, they were no longer accepting applications for employment because they had a waiting list for open positions. At the same time, amid the pandemic, my departments at The University of Kansas Health System were struggling with more than 100 open positions we could not fill. What was I missing? Turns out a lot. Click the video to hear the rest of my story.

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 by NDSC

NDSC E-News ~ October 2023

NDSC Welcomes New Interim Executive Director and Board Officers
and Thanks Dedicated Outgoing Officers

NDSC is pleased to announce our Interim Executive Director and new Board Officers. Together they bring a wealth of knowledge, experience, passion, and momentum to NDSC!

Please welcome:
Interim Executive Director – Stephanie Smith Lee
President – Sean J. Smith
Vice President #1 – Tony Zanfordino
Vice President #2 – Beau Brooks
Vice President #3 – Dana Halle
Vice President #4 – Jill Reffett
Secretary – David Chaplin
Immediate Past President – Marilyn Tolbert

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 by Kim Owens

NDSC ANNOUNCES INTERIM ED AND NEW BOARD OFFICERS

The National Down Syndrome Congress (NDSC) is pleased to announce the recently elected 2023-24 Board of Directors Executive Committee (EC) members as well as our new Interim Executive Director (ED). Sean J. Smith, NDSC president, stated, “We are excited to have Stephanie Smith Lee step in as our Interim Executive Director, her experience supporting the Down syndrome community and love of NDSC as a parent, past board member, professionally, and as a current member of our policy team all equip her to help take the NDSC to the next level. We are also excited about what this group of executive committee members, as both parents and professionals, bring to the NDSC and the community we serve.” Below, we share the names and contact information of the members of the EC and include brief bios of our Interim ED and new NDSC President.

 

Shortly, we will be adding bios and pictures to our NDSC website (see https://www.ndsccenter.org) allowing everyone to get to know the new EC and the roles and responsibilities they are undertaking for this 2023-24 term.

Interim Executive Director – Stephanie Smith Lee

Members of the Executive Committee- 

President – Sean J. Smith – President@ndsccenter.org

Vice President #1 –  Tony Zanfordino – tony.zanfordino@gmail.com

Vice President #2 –  Beau Brooks – beau.brooks@gmail.com

Vice President #3 –  Dana Halle – dhalle@dsfoc.org

Vice President #4 –  Jill Reffett – jillreffett@gmail.com

Secretary – David Chaplin – Secretary@ndsccenter.org

Treasurer – Garrick Batley – Treasurer@ndsccenter.org

 

Stephanie Smith Lee – Brief Introduction –

Stephanie is the NDSC Senior Policy Advisor and a nationally recognized disability expert with extensive public policy experience, including serving in senior Congressional staff positions. Since her daughter, Laura, was born with Down syndrome she has led many successful bipartisan disability advocacy efforts at the local, state, and Federal levels. As the Director of the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) in the U.S. Department of Education she was responsible for the implementation of IDEA, the Federal Special Education Law. As the former Vice President of NDSC she played a key leadership role in the successful reauthorization of IDEA in 1997 and later led the successful effort to amend the Higher Education Act to include financial aid and funding for programs for students with intellectual disability (ID). As chair of the Think College Accreditation Workgroup she led the development of accreditation standards for college programs for students with ID and now serves as President of the Board of a new accrediting agency for these programs.

 

Sean J. Smith, Ph.D. – Brief Introduction –

Sean is a Professor of Special Education in the Department of Special Education at the University of Kansas.  He has served on the NDSC’s Board for nearly a decade co-chairing the Education Committee. As a professor, Sean’s research interests focus on innovations and technology solutions to support struggling learners and those with disabilities, particularly interventions aligned with the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Framework. Sean has authored over 200 books and articles, given hundreds of scholarly presentations both nationally and internationally, and serves on various boards for journals, organizations, and parent groups focused on enhancing the lives of individuals with disabilities. ​​Most importantly, Sean is the father of four children, one having Down syndrome. Nolan, Sean’s son, is a recent graduate of the University of Kansas Transition to Postsecondary Education (TPE) Program (see https://tpe.ku.edu/ ) which is one of over 300 college/university education programs for individuals with intellectual disability.

 

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 by Kim Owens

NDSC E-News ~ August 2023

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