Nicaragua Includes, Join the Change was created to expand inclusive education opportunities in schools across Managua, Nicaragua. Youth leaders Hengel and Fernanda identified schools that would benefit from additional support and developed a training curriculum for teachers and educational personnel focused on inclusive education, classroom adaptations, and inclusive classroom management. Through workshops and hands-on training sessions, educators learned how to create more welcoming learning environments for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

In addition to educator training, the project introduced participants to Special Olympics programs such as Young Athletes and Unified Sports,demonstrating how sport can be used as a tool for inclusion. The project concluded with a Sports and Family Festival that brought together students, families, educators, and community members to celebrate inclusion and strengthen community engagement.
The project was inspired by Special Olympics athletes who attend local schools and whose experiences highlighted the need for greater awareness and inclusion within educational settings. Hengel and Fernanda wanted classmates, teachers, and community members to better understand the abilities and contributions of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. They also credit the support of Special Olympics Nicaragua, the Paralympic Committee’s Sports Federation, and the Nicaraguan Institute of Sports for helping make the project possible.
Through a series of training sessions, the youth leaders educated current and future teachers on inclusion, Young Athletes, and Unified Sports. These programs promote meaningful participation for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities while providing educators with practical tools to foster inclusive classrooms. The project also expanded Unified Schools programming and engaged students with and without disabilities in shared learning and sports experiences.
The project helped community members experience firsthand how sports and leadership can transform lives. Through Unified Sports activities, children and young people with and without disabilities shared spaces of joy, empathy, and respect, strengthening social connections and promoting a greater understanding that disability does not define a person's potential. The project reached dozens of participants and helped build more inclusive school environments throughout the community.
Hengel and Fernanda's favorite memory was the Sports and Family Festival, where trained youth leaders had the opportunity to apply what they learned through the project. Seeing participants actively lead Young Athletes and Unified Sports activities demonstrated the impact of the training and their readiness to continue creating inclusive opportunities for others. The youth leaders were especially proud of witnessing genuine inclusion in action, where everyone participated, felt valued, and was welcomed.