Inclusive Youth Leadership

Special Olympics Introductions What is your name? Where are you from? How long have you been involved with SO? What inspired you to become involved? Do you believe that in order to be a leader you must be: …popular?...academically gifted?...outspoken? 2

Special Olympics Common Language PU – Project UNIFY YAC – Youth Activation Committee IYL – Inclusive Youth Leadership 3 Common Language

Special Olympics What is inclusive leadership? Turn to page 3 in your books. If you are wearing something that is red, read the first pillar. Green – green pillar Lime – lime pillar Orange – orange pillar Blue – blue pillar 4

Special Olympics Roles of an Inclusive Leader 5 1.Unique talents 2.Believes that people of all abilities can participate in leadership opportunities 3.Recognizes potential in ALL people to be effective leaders 4.Advocates for inclusion of people with ALL abilities

Special Olympics Game Time! Commonalities and Uniquities 6

Special Olympics As a group, let’s define inclusion. 7

Special Olympics Inclusion Empowering all individuals to feel comfortable and maximized in their efforts to contribute to society. 8

Special Olympics What does youth leadership look like? In schools? In communities? 9

Special Olympics Youth Leadership Effective communication and active listening Delegating tasks and responsibilities Inspired to help others Unique experiences Exemplifies positivity and creativity (unconventional ideas) 10

Special Olympics Pillar 1: Inclusion For too long, people with intellectual disabilities have been excluded and ignored in schools, the labor force, and society in general. Turn to page

Special Olympics Pillar 2: Co-Leadership What challenges do you think co-leadership presents? How are people with ID perceived as leaders? What are the benefits to youth both w/ and w/o ID who work, learn and share together? 12

Special Olympics Co-Leadership Activity Hula Hoop Challenge 13

Special Olympics Reflection on Activity Was the task easier or harder than you thought it would be? How were you able to incorporate partnership with the people on either side of you? 14

Special Olympics Pillar 3: Teamwork Individual Contributions + Collective Contributions = Teamwork 15

Special Olympics Pillar 3: Teamwork How do these items relate to teamwork and leadership? 16

Special Olympics Let’s break it down New group of people = anxiety Trust + Honesty + Support = UNITY Everyone is an asset to the team; Teamwork makes the dream work! 17

Special Olympics 18

Special Olympics Pillar 4: Communication How do you communicate with others? What is your favorite form of communication? In your personal opinion, what is the most effective form of communication? How do you communicate as a leader? 19

Special Olympics Communication is Essential 1.Communication is key to successful leadership 2.Main methods of communication: ‣ Talking ‣ Listening ‣ Body language 20

Special Olympics Practice Time! Back to Back 21

Special Olympics Pillar 5: Environment What type of environment empowers you to learn and share with your school community? What kinds of behaviors and attitudes lead to a negative and hurtful environment? 22

Special Olympics Environment? We often think of environment as referring to outdoor conditions (temperature, weather conditions) Environment has TWO meanings! Physical and social space in which we learn, share and work with one another. We do our best work in an environment that is supportive and encouraging. 23

Special Olympics What is community? As a pair, reflect on the following questions: 1.What are common ways people make you feel supported? 2.How can we promote inclusion in our communities and schools as “a must” rather than “an option”? 24

Special Olympics Solution = Project UNIFY 25

Special Olympics Closing Thoughts What can you do to get started? What should your first 3 actions be? How can you get people involved? What changes will you like to see? Are you excited to get started? 26