Best Buddies ® (Kayle Jacoby)

Best Buddies’ programs create mutually-enriching socialization opportunities for youth with and without intellectual disabilities through structured one-to-one friendships. These friendships offer participants a unique opportunity to promote a more inclusive school environment while establishing a meaningful personal friendship. For the child who has an intellectual disability developing a friendship with a non-disabled peer is critical to their success in school and their transition into the adult roles of employee colleague and community member. The benefits to children without intellectual disabilities are great as well as they are better equipped to enter the world with a respect for the value of inclusivity and the power to challenge long-held stereotypes and prejudices about people with disabilities.