Now retired after working for more than 40 years in the field of education, Joy Zucco McDonald holds a Syracuse University School of Education bachelor’s degree in Rehabilitation Services.
McDonald is particularly engaged with housing and employment opportunities for people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: “People with developmental disabilities have a 19% to 22% employment rate in our country. Only one in five is employed, and this statistic doesn’t represent ‘gainful employment’—full time, with benefits, etc.—which is lower. Independent housing opportunities finds an even lower rate, with approximately only 11% of people with IDD living on their own.”
Her daughter, Grace, graduated from SOE’s InclusiveU program in May 2024, with specialties in Design and Disability Studies.
PAST: What memory from your time at SOE do you most cherish?
My time at Syracuse prepared me not just for a career in education but for a life changing event that would have me relying heavily on what I learned at Syracuse. Syracuse shaped and challenged my perspective on people with disabilities.
My daughter Grace has a developmental disability. I often joked that she was raised by the Syracuse University inclusive philosophy—and in truth that is exactly what happened.
She was educated with her typical peers from day one, and to this Syracuse graduate, the sky was always the limit. My proudest moment was watching Grace graduated from InclusiveU.
We need people who are passionate about bringing education access to all. We need our brightest.
PRESENT: What are you working on now that you’d like to share with fellow alums?
I continue to advocate for people with disabilities and to educate people on the possibilities. We are currently working on housing needs and employment both which are underserved for people with disabilities.
FUTURE: What is your hope for the future of education and learning?
Syracuse University and the School of Education was very cutting edge at the time of my education there. I hope that Syracuse can continue this legacy. We need people who are passionate about bringing education access to all. We need our brightest.