FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TC 1-21-16
January 21, 2016
Taft College Professor Kelly Kulzer Receives
2016 National Down Syndrome Society Award
Professor of English as a Second Language Kelly Kulzer has been named as one of two national awardees of the 2016 Down syndrome Ambassadors of the Year by the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS).
She will be recognized during the Buddy Walk on Washington Champion of Change Awards scheduled for April 11-12, 2016. As part of the Buddy Walk on Washington, NDSS honors those in the Down syndrome community who work tirelessly throughout the year as self-advocates, advocates, leaders and change-makers in the area of public policy and advocacy for people with Down syndrome. Each year,
NDSS honors a self-advocate, an individual advocacy leader, a NDSS DS-Ambassador, a Buddy Walk organization and a Down syndrome advocacy group. Nominations are solicited every fall.
The NDSS DS (Down syndrome) Ambassadors are volunteer advocates of all abilities committed to taking part in the democratic process and serving as liaisons between NDSS and their congressional delegations. The overarching goal of the DS-Ambassador program is to build long-lasting relationships with US Senators and Representatives to continually raise awareness, educate and advocate for public policy solutions that benefit the Down syndrome community at the federal level.
Professor Kulzer assisted in efforts to pass the ABLE Act which enables people with disabilities (not just
Down syndrome) to save money in their own names without becoming disqualified for SSI and
Medicaid. In the past, people with disabilities were not allowed to have more than $2000 in assets or they were disqualified from needed programs, which created huge disincentives to work and employment. Now, people who are able to work will have the opportunity to save their own money, which can be used on qualified expenses. It is a huge step in the right direction. Information about the federal legislation is here: http://www.ndss.org/Advocacy/Legislative-Agenda/Creating-an-Economic-
Future-for-Individuals-with-Down-Syndrome/Achieving-a-Better-of-Life-Experience-ABLE-Act/
Congratulations to Professor Kulzer for receiving this notable award for her commitment to the NDSS organization and the grassroots advocacy across the U.S.
For more information, please contact the Taft College President’s Office at (661) 763-7711.
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