Best Buddies International — Community Inclusion Project

Project Goal
Provide inclusive activities and programs for students with developmental disabilities (DD) who are experiencing social isolation due to school closures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic

Project Summary
Through Community Inclusion projects, organizations will create opportunities and address barriers so people with disabilities can experience full community life. Full community inclusion is defined as participating in education, employment, and social activities in the community alongside people both with and without disabilities. Ultimately, the goal of these projects is to produce short-term and long-term systems change.

This project connected students with and without DD from Aldine Independent School District in Houston to foster friendships and participate in online activities. Best Buddies International provided leadership and public speaking training as well as other programs to support the social needs of students with DD who experienced isolation due to school closures during the COVID-19 pandemic.