This September, Think College will be honored by the National Down Syndrome Congress (NDSC) at its Fall gala, “The Big Game Ball,” for our work in developing, expanding, and improving inclusive higher education options for people with intellectual disability (ID).
NDSC will highlight three universities playing in the Peach Bowl that offer inclusive postsecondary programs for students with ID at their event, including Clemson University (ClemsonLIFE), Georgia Tech (Georgia Tech Excel), and the University of Georgia (UGA Destination Dawgs). The University of Oregon, which rounds out the contenders in the Peach Bowl, will be acknowledged for their strong Special Education Graduate program. In addition to these institutional honorees, NDSC will present Stephanie Smith Lee with the Individual of Impact Award for her tireless efforts to develop and improve postsecondary education options for individuals with ID. Caden Cox, the first individual with Down syndrome to score in a NCAA college football game, will be the first-ever Self-Advocate of Distinction honoree. Hallmark Channel is this year’s corporate honoree.
This year’s honorees all exemplify important NDSC priorities:
- increasing access to inclusive postsecondary opportunities for students with Down syndrome and other intellectual disabilities
- increasing the availability of high-quality inclusive postsecondary programs
- providing Program Accreditation Standards for postsecondary education programs
- advocating for educators who will continue to forge the path of inclusive education at all levels
The NDSC plays an important role in Think College's efforts to raise awareness of college opportunities by partnering with us to organize an annual College Fair that highlights college options for students with ID, and by regularly sharing information and resources about college options with families and students. We are honored to be recognized by NDSC, a leading national resource of support and information for anyone touched by or seeking to learn about Down syndrome.
We look forward to celebrating the growth of college options for students with ID with the other honorees and all the attendees at this special event as we continue our work to promote inclusive postsecondary education opportunities for all.