2018 AUCD Gold Star Award
November 23, 2018
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The AUCD Gold Star Award is presented to a Capitol Hill staffer who exemplifies a true partnership in crafting strong public policy. This award recognizes the staffer for his/her efforts to obtain input from AUCD and the greater disability community to support AUCD’s mission to advance policy and practice for and with people living with developmental and other disabilities, their families, and communities.
Kimberly Knackstedt, PhD
Disability and Education Policy Advisor to Representative Bobby Scott
Washington, DC
“Kim is the Disability & Education Policy Advisor for the Democrats on the House Education and Workforce Committee. Her portfolio includes policy related to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Americans with Disabilities Act, Every Student Succeeds Act, Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, and Higher Education Act. Kim previously worked on the HELP Committee with Sen. Murray as the Kennedy Public Policy Fellow. Kim earned her PhD in special education policy at the University of Kansas, in 2017 looking at seclusion and restraint policies. Prior to coming to the Hill, she was a special education teacher. AUCD is grateful for Kim’s unique leadership. She consistently works with the disability community, pushing forward on the paradigm shifts in civil rights, competitive integrated employment, and inclusive education for students with disabilities. Her work this congress included championing critical disability provisions for the Higher Education Act reauthorization, including the protection of teacher preparation programs, accessibility legislation and extension of the TPSID programs, the reauthorization of the Perkins Career and Technical Education Act, and Keep All Students Safe Act which limits restraint and seclusion practices. Kim has been a tireless advocate for people with disabilities with other Hill staffers – whether those who are familiar with disabilities or not, building relationships across the aisle and working to promote bipartisan legislation. As part of Congressman Bobby Scott’s staff, Kim is a trusted partner to the Disability community in Virginia.”
