The project aimed to increase awareness of inclusion while building young people's confidence through sports. Jia and Jaemin led self-directed activities designed to strengthen participants' self-confidence, self-esteem, and sense of achievement.
Recognizing that students often take a passive role in traditional physical education classes, Jia and Jaemin created opportunities for participants to become active leaders. Throughout the project, youth took on the roles of teachers, assistants, and learners, working together to solve challenges and learn from one another.
Jia and Jaemin extend their gratitude to Professor Choi for providing guidance and support throughout the project, and to Special Olympics Korea for their partnership. They also recognize the three staff members who helped create a safe, welcoming, and supportive environment for participants during each of the 24 sessions.
Held weekly over 24 sessions, each lasting three hours, Jia and Jaemin's project combined cooperative sports with peer-led activities that encouraged youth with and without IDD to learn and grow together. Beyond physical activity, participants built connections through regular interaction, teamwork, and shared experiences. The youth leaders fostered a supportive environment where participants encouraged one another, celebrated successes, and cheered each other on both on and off the pitch.

Jia and Jaemin described the self-directed activities as opportunities for participants to learn from peers who excelled in different skills while supporting those who needed additional encouragement. By celebrating one another's efforts with praise and applause, participants built confidence and experienced the opportunity to take the lead, creating a sense of belonging and shared accomplishment.
The program achieved an impressive attendance rate of over 90% on average. Furthermore, following participation in the program, all participants showed improvements in self-directed coaching skills—including lesson preparation, explanation, demonstration, and relationship-building—and developed a more comprehensive understanding of the educational value, necessity, and effectiveness of physical activity programs. Most importantly, the program fostered emotional and social development through relationship building within an integrated large-group environment.
Through this project, Jia and Jaemin gained a deeper understanding of disability inclusion and the importance of walking alongside peers of all abilities. Over the course of the sessions, they witnessed friendships form, confidence grow, and participants become more comfortable leading and supporting one another. Although the project has concluded, Jia and Jaemin continue to advocate for inclusion by promoting confidence, empathy, and youth leadership in their community.