Special Olympics: Young Athletes

In the fall of 2025, a colleague and I partnered with DC’s chapter of Special Olympics to bring their “Young Athletes” program to my library. This ready-made, research-based program was a hit in my community, bringing learning, community, and physical activity to early learners both with and without disabilities. To learn more about Special Olympics and how a partnership can benefit libraries, I interviewed Candace Ladd – Director of Youth Initiatives in DC. About the Youth Initiatives Team Candace Ladd leads a team that partners with schools throughout Washington, DC, both public and charter schools and colleges, where they share and assist with implementation of the “Unified Schools Initiative.” The initiative consists of three main components: unified sports, leadership, and whole school engagement. Candace shared that the “purpose of this program is to enrich a more equitable environment in schools and colleges.” To support their partners through implementation, Candace and…
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