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Youth Leadership

A group of young adults standing in a circle holding a ball and all are looking down.
Provides young people of all abilities the opportunities to be agents of change in their classrooms, schools and communities. By developing their leadership skills help students find their voices and teach them to become change agents in their communities by promoting equity and acceptance. Social inclusion is best fostered when activities within the classroom, school, and community are designed and implemented by a diverse group of students within a school.
Graphic design including two photographs of Special Olympics Youth Leaders and the following text: On Global Accessibility Awareness Day, Special Olympics Youth Leaders around the world are planning and implementing Youth Innovation Projects to remove barriers to digital accessibility and create a more inclusive, more connected future for all.
Community Impact

Youth Leaders Promote Digital Accessibility for All

Special Olympics Cape Verde Youth Leaders Edna and Clenira know that improving digital accessibility is essential to building a more inclusive world.
1 Min Read
A young man and young woman light a candle together.
Community Impact

Simran's Journey to the Global Youth Summit

For the past five years Simran Sahni, a Youth Leader from Special Olympics Bharat, has been on the front lines of the inclusion revolution.
1 Min Read
young woman holding a watering can and poring water on another young woman's hands helping her wash her hands.
Athletes

Senegal Athletes Lead Workshops on Handwashing, Hygiene

This work is crucial, especially in the continuing fight to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
1 Min Read
A young girl with Down syndrome in a yellow shirt with a backwards ball cap holds her arms out in celebration of running on a track
Press Releases

National University’s Social and Emotional Harmony program Partners with Special Olympics to Mentor Youth Leaders

National University’s Social and emotional Harmony program partners with Special Olympics to mentor Youth Leaders.
3 Min Read
International Youth Day 2021: Lead to Include
Community Impact

International Youth Day 2021: SO Middle East/North Africa Youth Lead to Include

Special Olympics MENA youth are prioritizing the inclusion of persons with disabilities as a critical need of the hour.
1 Min Read
Exsaul and Rodrigo sit at a desk next to each other, each holding papers and smiling at the camera.
Athletes

Good Friends

Athlete Ben Collins interviews friend and Unified Youth Leadership pair for International Day of Friendship.
1 Min Read
A teenage boy sits at a desk with his peer, smiling at the camera. He holds a pen in his hand, touching a notebook on his desk. There room is full of youth and adults at desks in the background.
Community Impact

Advocating Inclusion: The Story of Sahil and His Mother

Sahil's mother has watched her son Sahil, who has Down Syndrome, grow into a confident and social Youth Leader since Play Unified: Learn Unified was introduced to his school.
2 Min Read
Three Special Olympics Youth Leaders share a presentation about education for people with intellectual disabilities through a digital Global Youth Summit.
Community Impact

Educating the Whole Child

Special Olympics partnered with Global Youth Mobilization at their first-ever Global Youth Summit where Youth Leaders from Special Olympics Latin America hosted a session on education for children with intellectual disabilities.
2 Min Read
Five students pose on a basketball court with Special Olympics jerseys and basketballs in hand. The graphic reads "You're Invited...Digital Youth Summit, Friday May 7th, 5:00-7PM ET."
Community Impact

Special Olympics Invites Your Middle and High School Students to a Digital Youth Summit!

Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools is hosting the Digital Youth Summit: Inclusion in Action on May 7, 2021 from 5:00 – 7:00PM ET for all middle and high school students.
1 Min Read
Sharita and Shaye Taylor standing back to back and smiling.
Athletes

“Healthy In Body, Heart & Mind”

One of April’s “Autism Awareness” themes is celebrating ways that people with autism lead full and healthy lives. For the Taylor twins, that’s something they celebrate every day.
1 Min Read
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