2010 Special Olympics National Youth Activation Summit (YAS)

·         Special Olympics as a movement for change and inclusion

·         Youth Leadership

·         Social Justice and Advocacy

·         Sports as a platform for attitude change

·         Inclusion of all abilities

·         Local, state, and national strategies for youth engagement and activation

 

 

The YAS will be designed by the Project UNIFY National Youth Activation Committee (YAC) and facilitated by youth from Project UNIFY Programs throughout the United States. The topics will be relevant to youth and address the societal challenges they face in the schools and communities in which they live.

 

The primary goals for youth are:

·         to increase their knowledge and skills on the issues surrounding social justice for persons with intellectual disabilities;

·         learn how sports can be a catalyst to create a movement where youth become agents of change;

·         exploration of how Special Olympics and the programs, resources and tools that the movement offers promote social justice;

·         and advancement of an effective campaign for change with individuals, associations, institutions and the communities at large.

Strategies and training for inclusive leadership are incorporated in the agenda, ensuring that youth with and without intellectual disabilities, together not only lead in the design and facilitation of the sessions, but also are enabled to co-create solutions to the social justice and school climate challenges they address upon returning home after the summit. An emphasis is placed on how to advocate for change

 

by working alongside and together with individuals with and without disabilities, not just on behalf of. This is consistent with Project UNIFY guiding principles and characteristics of effective practices.

Nomination Criteria:

Project UNIFY is pleased to cover 100% of the costs affiliated with 2 youth and 1 chaperone attending the YAS from each U.S. Program. This includes travel, meals, on site transportation and housing. It is not a requirement that the U.S. Program be a current Project UNIFY sub-award recipient, however, it is our hope that this would be a result of participation in the YAS.

·         The youth must be between ages 14 – 21. 

·         Each U.S. Program may nominate 1 youth with ID and 1 youth partner without ID. There are no exceptions to this combination. U.S. Programs with YAC members are invited to nominate the 2 additional youth as well as their YAC members.

·         The youth do not need to be the same gender and can come from different schools/towns.

·         The youth that are nominated must agree to fulfill the Youth Commitment to Special Olympics outlined below.

·         Youth need to be self motivated and able to work in group as well as independent settings with little assistance or follow up by adults/chaperones and have to ability to discuss advocacy, express ideas and feelings and discuss school environment.

·         Youth need to be able to travel with a chaperone in a 4:1 ratio and be able to handle airport and security requirements.

·         Youth need consistent access to email and the internet in order to properly prepare for and execute all activities/communication related to Special Olympics. Youth also need access to a telephone to participate in at least 2 conference calls prior to the Games.