Project Theme: Disability inclusion

Target Audience and Location: Students at Montgomery Blair High School and Silver Spring International Middle School in Silver Spring, Maryland.

Mission: To connect students with learning disabilities to those that do not through extracurricular athletic engagement to help improve their social skills while having fun.

Project Description: Scholar Isoiza Emah and educator Scholar Tony Mensah always knew they wanted to use their love for sports, particularly basketball, to do something about disability inclusion. Eventually they decided to focus their project on supporting students on the autism spectrum at a middle school close to their high school. They aim to engage high school student athletes in volunteering to mentor middle school students on the spectrum in after school events that combine sports, games and social opportunities.

Inspired by his cousin’s experience with a disability, Isoiza knew it was important to incorporate opportunities to socialize, have fun and build healthy relationships with others in a playful environment. He shared that, “Through my little cousin, I’ve seen firsthand the support that students with special needs need with socializing. My project focuses on helping students have fun, socialize, and benefit from added support.”

Watch this team's project presentation at our virtual showcase event!