Tiffany, 22, is a Youth Leader from Barbados. Tiffany has been involved with Special Olympics Barbados since 2015, both as a Youth Leader and as an athlete. In July 2018, she completed a one-year course at the Special Olympics Barbados Outreach Programme and was named valedictorian of the graduating class. In 2015, she won a silver medal in the 100 metres and a gold medal in the 4 X 100 metres relay at the Special Olympics World Games in Los Angeles. In 2019, she won a gold medal in the 100 metres at the games in Dubai. Recently, she completed an online course held by Special Olympics International and is the first Health Messenger for the island of Barbados.
As an experienced Special Olympics athlete, Tiffany is very aware of the challenges she and her peers face. She has identified that many people with Intellectual disabilities have difficulty getting jobs in the community. With this problem, it is very difficult for people with intellectual disabilities to gain autonomy and independence.
Tiffany plans to address this challenge by establishing a space through special units, Schools, other Caribbean Programs, and businesses in the community where people with intellectual disabilities can learn technical skills. These trainings will include creating websites, printing logos, designing tee-shirts, post cards and flyers. Over the course of 9 months, Tiffany plans to teach at least four people with ID how to create websites, and graphic designs. She will acquire computers and at least one special printer to print designed material, create samples for advertising purposes, establish partnerships with suppliers, and leverage government and private sector donors for project support expansion.
Tiffany plans to engage 4 to 6 people with intellectual disabilities and 2 to 4 Special Olympics staff who will advise and assist during the project. Her goal is to promote inclusion in the community by sharing new skills and techniques to help people with intellectual disabilities find equitable employment.