“As a mom, all I want is for my child to participate and be accepted.”
It’s what everyone wants, really. A more inclusive and accepting community. An equal playing field.
So this spring, we are changing the game.
In April and May across Virginia, thousands of school-age athletes will participate in the ABLEnow Feet Meet Series, which includes Little Feet Meets, Meet in the Middle events and Big Feet Meets. These Unified Sports® events are a way for schools to engage students with and without intellectual disabilities during a training season and culminating “Feet Meet.”
Students without disabilities can practice and compete with their team, as well as act as Feet Meet facilitators and fans. For the students with disabilities, the Feet Meet events serve as a public celebration of meeting key developmental and social milestones. Together, we’ve also created a new space for students to form friendships based on shared values, not differences. We’re changing the game.
“We were excited to start our unified program this season, but did not expect the impact it would have on our school,” said Eurith Bowen, a Special Education teacher at Kenmore Middle School in Arlington. “Now our kids are the cool kids and everyone wants to be their teammate.”
About ABLEnow: The Feet Meet Series is sponsored by ABLEnow, a new way to save, invest and pay for qualified disability-related expenses. ABLEnow is the national ABLE savings program offered by the Commonwealth of Virginia. Now, eligible individuals can save up to $14,000 a year without endangering eligibility for certain benefit programs critical to their health and well-being. These tax-advantaged accounts help level the playing field so individuals with disabilities can save for independence, greater financial security and a better quality of life. Learn more and start your savings at able-now.com.