Sara Nye is an engaging 21-year-old young lady with a zest for life. Home-schooled by her mom, she is on schedule to receive a Pennsylvania Department of Education Diploma in October 2025. She is also an ardent self-advocate, as well as an advocate for others living with Down syndrome.

Sara has been actively involved with the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) since 2019, serving as a Down syndrome Ambassador and advocate. In recognition of her efforts, Sara was the recipient of the NDSS 2024 Dan Piper Award. The Award was established to commemorate the life and work of self-advocate Dan Piper “by celebrating an individual with Down syndrome, who through everyday activities brings about greater public awareness and understanding of people with Down syndrome in their community.”

Sara was rewarded with an expenses-paid trip to New York for the 30th Annual NDSS Buddy Walk on September 7, where she was presented the Award and gave a rousing speech in front of 2,500 attendees. In her comments, Sara challenged others to use their abilities to advocate and bring awareness to the Down syndrome communities where they live. “Change starts with a simple conversation,” she said. Then she gave two examples of how she was able to jumpstart change simply by initiating a conversation.

    • An offhand conversation on the dance floor with a friend led to production of a video about Sara’s local Down Syndrome group and 3-21 day (annual Down Syndrome Awareness Day).
    • Sara took advantage of the opportunity at a Business Expo to introduce herself to a state senator, and advocate for a bill to mandate training for law enforcement on interacting with individuals with disabilities. His office called HER the next day to arrange a meeting.

In closing, Sara appealed to the crowd to do their part. “We can all make the world a better place… one conversation at a time. We just have to be willing to put ourselves out there,” she emphasized. “Each of you can leave here and use your abilities to advocate and bring awareness to the Down syndrome community where you live.”

Sara has been employed at UCP since 2022 as Digital Media Coordinator for the Capital Area Employment First Coalition (of which UCP is a partner). Her work—maintaining the Coalition website, engaging in social media, and conducting outreach—is supported by Coalition funding. She follows and engages with several supported employment social media sites/platforms, including:

    • JAN – Job Accommodation Network – a leading source of free, expert, and confidential guidance on workplace accommodations. https://askjan.org
    • Vision for Equality –an organization committed to promoting and fostering people with disabilities and their families to seek quality and satisfaction in their lives, as well as equal access to supports and services. It is a vision firmly rooted in community. https://www.visionforequality.org

To learn more about the Capital Area Employment First Coalition, contact Amanda Neidig at Amanda.Neidig@ucpcentralpa.org or 717-737-3477, x 134

https://capitalareaemp1st.org/