Project UNIFY's goal is to activate young people to develop school communities where all young people are agents of change — fostering respect, dignity and advocacy for people with intellectual disabilities by utilizing the programs and initiatives of Special Olympics.
Leaders of Tomorrow. Project UNIFY's goal is to activate young people around the country in an effort to develop school communities where all young people are agents of change.
Take a Moment to Imagine
Imagine young people with and without an intellectual disability committed to making a difference in their schools and communities through Special Olympics.
Imagine young people coming together with a dedicated purpose to acquire and enhance their knowledge and lead their peers, their schools, and their communities forward.
Imagine young people leading the charge to promote effective, safe, and inclusive environments for creating and sustaining positive changes through volunteering and contributing to the improvement of their communities.
Imagine this motivated cadre of youth ready to move out into the world, activated as agents of change — fostering acceptance, respect, dignity, inclusion, and advocacy for all people throughout the world.
These images will become a reality with Project UNIFY.
What is Project UNIFY?
Project UNIFY is a U.S. national project, funded by the U.S. Department of Education. Its goal is to activate young people around the country in an effort to develop school communities where all young people are agents of change — fostering respect, dignity and advocacy for people with intellectual disabilities by utilizing the programs and initiatives of Special Olympics.
Project UNIFY initiatives include a host of core activities, both on the national and the grass-roots level. Local projects that meet Project UNIFY objectives are supported through grants for local Special Olympics Programs.
Who is Project UNIFY For?
Project UNIFY is for students, teachers and educators who believe that:
there should be more opportunities for young people of all ages and all ability levels in schools across the country to make friends and work together for change.
students with intellectual disabilities should become part of the core fabric of the education community and be perceived as assets in their school and community.
students without intellectual disabilities can and should increase their knowledge, skills and comfort in forming positive social relationships with students with intellectual disabilities and come together to address societal issues.
that policymakers and education leaders should develop policies and support quality practices that encourage positive school climates with safe and nurturing learning environments for all students.
Contact Project UNIFY at youth@specialolympics.org
or
Andrea Cahn
Director, Project UNIFY
National Youth Activation Demonstration Program
Special Olympics North America
1133 19th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036
USA
acahn@specialolympics.org
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| | What YOU Can Do | |
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| | - Get in touch with Special Olympics near you to see what you can do to help.
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| | - Get in the game by joining Special Olympics Unified Sports®, where people with and without intellectual disabilities train and compete together on the same team.
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