Javardo, 21, is a Youth Leader from Kingston, Jamaica who has been working with Special Olympics since 2015. In 2018, he won Bronze in Unified Volleyball and Silver in Regional Volleyball in the Special Olympics Jamaica National Games. He became a Youth Leader to help his fellow athletes achieve their goals and overcome their personal obstacles by guiding them through society.
Javardo trains a group of students with and without intellectual disabilities in the sport of volleyball and the team struggles to feel a sense of belonging and team spirit with the lack of support from the community.
Javardo plans to design and manufacture team jerseys for their upcoming Unified season and obtain transportation for athletes who are unable to attain practices. Javardo believe that everyone who wants to participate in Special Olympics Unified sports should be able to without barriers. Special Olympics provides athletes with intellectual disabilities a unique opportunity to be included and Javardo wants to ensure his team feels included and confident.
The Unified Volleyball Project’s goal involves creating an environment where each athlete feels physically and emotionally able to participate. Javardo hopes to create a welcoming space where external factors are not a burden and true inclusion can take place.