Empowering Youth Through Inclusive Leadership: A Unified Schools Approach

Here at the Special Olympics UP, we assert the power of youth leadership and this leadership is meaningful when it's inclusive and empowering for all. The Unified Schools program starts the process of building a culture where young people of all abilities are encouraged to lead, to engage in their own agency, and to grow and learn together. This process lays the foundation for a culture of acceptance, respect, and inclusion for students with and without intellectual disabilities. We are developing the future compassionate and capable leaders of tomorrow by providing inclusive sport programs in the school and offering additional leadership experiences.

1. Creating a Culture of Inclusion Through Unified Sports

Inclusive Sports serves as the bedrock of the Unified Schools program. These programs allow students with and without intellectual disabilities to participate on the same sports team, disrupting stigmas and fostering understanding and friendship. Sports serve as a unique context of inclusion, developing life skills key to success in sport and in life: teamwork, communication, and perseverance. As students who otherwise might not meet, build thoughtful relationships as they experience quality competition and collaboration on their sports teams.

Offering students the opportunity to participate on inclusive sports teams in their schools cultivates an environment in which every student feels a sense of value and this has tangible effect on the culture of the school as it creates a belonging for a diverse community of learners. At Special Olympics Unified Schools, we have witnessed the benefits of this experience for schools and students when they are afforded the opportunity to enjoy sport as a teams with their peers.

2. Empowering Youth to Lead Inclusively

Central to the Unified Schools model is youth leadership. Students are equipped with the tools, training, and chances to lead on and off the field. Inclusive youth leadership means not just students with intellectual disabilities are engaged, but are leaders in their schools and communities. This allows young people to become advocates for inclusion, role models for peers, and give students ownership of the inclusive culture being built in their schools.

Through leading, we are helping to develop confidence, empathy, and firm understanding of the importance of inclusion for the students. This practice extends beyond the classroom as students take these notions of inclusion, use them in other settings, taking ownership of their future including their role in an increasingly diverse society.

3. Encouraging Collaboration Among Students

The overarching vision of the Unified Schools program is to support students in learning how to work together with other students, showing the benefits of working with one another towards common goals. The students have a chance to develop teamwork skills through a sports context, an academic project, or a community service project. This teamwork, which honors everyone's contribution through recognition of individual strengths, improves students' social skills and academic skills, and creates a basis for inclusion and inclusive leadership.

Working with others is an essential-leadership skill. By teaching students how to work together inclusively building on individual strengths, they will become inclusive leaders who are prepared to bring together groups of people who are different or diverse in some way. These are critical skills which lead students to recognize the importance of listening, have empathy, and lead with kindness and respect.

4. Building Resilience and Empathy Through Inclusive Sports

Inclusive sports provide meaningful opportunities for developing resilience and empathy. While participating in unified sports, learners learn to push themselves, which builds resilience and develops an understanding of the experience of other people with an intellectual disability.

When learners face challenges with someone else, they practice resilience, one of the most important characteristics of a leader. Learners realize that failure is a part of the learning process, but through perseverance, understanding, and teamwork, they can ultimately succeed. Empathy is likewise essential for learners and allows them to better relate to others in deeper ways, supporting them in being strong, empathetic leaders.

5. Fostering Inclusive Mindsets in the Classroom

Unified Schools aspire to embed inclusion throughout each aspect of the culture of the school -- in the classroom and on the fields, rather than solely within athletics. This is accomplished through teachers, coaches, and administrators collaborating to create learning environments that encourage success for all students. Unified Schools value success in the classroom, in competitive athletics, and in personal growth and leadership opportunities.

In the classroom, students with intellectual disabilities and their peers are offered similar opportunities for participation, learning, and leadership, allowing for various levels and expectations. The act of being inclusive empowers and inspires students to support one another in the classroom and on the field while recognizing the valuable role that each individual plays, regardless of ability, in the development of the community. All individuals within the school are encouraged to take risks together and embrace, while also celebrating, their differences. Every opportunity to include improves the community to foster a perpetual cycle of inclusion moving forward.

6. Inspiring a Unified Generation of Leaders

Through the Unified Schools strategy, Special Olympics UP is committed to developing a unified generation of leaders: individuals who place the utmost consideration for inclusion, acceptance, and respect for everyone, regardless of ability. We are developing the leaders of tomorrow, those generations who will take inclusive leadership forward, by giving students the opportunity to lead inclusive sport teams, clubs, and school-wide initiatives.

Our emphasis on inclusive leadership and participation allows students to thrive in school, while simultaneously ensuring students reverse this and develop something much more powerful. Inclusive leaders will grow to be advocates for inclusive participation in their communities. As students transition into teachers, business leaders, and/or public servants, they will know how to create inclusive spaces in every aspect of their life.

Advancing youth through inclusive leadership is about more than just making a difference in the lives of students with intellectual disabilities—it's about making a world for all. As part of our commitment to this effort, Special Olympics UP believes that inclusive sports programs have a meaningful role to play in schools, as inclusive sports programs are the building blocks for inclusive communities, where everyone belongs.

Through collaboration, resilience, empathy and leadership, the Unified Schools program is developing the next generation of leaders who will see themselves as change makers in the world. Together, we are developing a unified generation that chooses to include, and we would like your help.

Whether you're a student or athlete, teacher, parent or community member, you have a critical role in making schools and communities more inclusive. Get involved with Special Olympics UP today and help to provide youth and athletes the leadership opportunity of a lifetime.

To find out how you can get involved or further support Unified Schools, feel free to contact us at Special Olympics UP! Together, we can make a commitment to, and classrooms for, a more inclusive future for all.