Inclusion...the right thing to do!

The Voice
www.inclusionproject.org
Inclusion...the right thing to do!
An open letter from co-founders Clay Aiken and Diane Bubel
The Bubel/Aiken Foundation grew out of the relationship between the two of us and Diane’s son, Mike, a
13 year old with autism. The bond between us grew strong as we shared a vision of a world where children
like Mike could be fully immersed in society. We had both witnessed children with disabilities repeatedly
turned away from activities opened to typical children. We met while Clay was pursuing a degree in special education at UNC-Charlotte. As part of that pursuit, Clay completed an independent study project
where he created a foundation that focused on providing the support system for recreational and educational programs around the country to open doors to children with disabilities that had thus far remained
closed. We realized that an organized effort could encourage and facilitate community inclusion and
empowerment of individuals with disabilities. This shared goal grew into reality on July 28, 2003 when
Continued on page 2
2009 Champions Gala
Featuring a special performance by Clay Aiken and
recognition of our Champions honorees including
our first ever Bubel Aiken Founders’ Award, the
2009 Champions Gala will be a celebration of the
inclusion of people of ALL abilities. The evening will
promote awareness of the benefits of inclusion and
support the National Inclusion Project’s programs
which give children with disabilities the opportunity
to experience life with their typical peers.
Including Samuel
Documentary film has the power to change public
perceptions. Al Gore’s An Inconvenient Truth made
us keenly aware of global warming. Supersize Me
made us look at fast food with a more skeptical
eye. Now comes Including Samuel, a film that puts
a spotlight on the social and educational inclusion
of children with disabilities.
The National Inclusion Project is proud to partner
with the creators of Including Samuel, an award“We hope everyone will join us for an enjoyable winning documentary by photojournalist Dan
evening including dinner, silent and live auctions, Habib. The film comes to
entertainment - all in support of inclusive public television for Disopportunities for all children,” said Clay Aiken.
ability Awareness Month in
October, with support from
Individual the National Inclusion Projtickets go ect and CVS Caremark All
on sale
Kids Can.
Tuesday,
August 11! Before his son Samuel was
diagnosed with cerebral
palsy, Habib rarely thought
about the inclusion of people
Continued on page 4
National Inclusion Project
104 TW Alexander Drive, Bldg. 1, P.O. Box 110104, RTP, NC 27709
Tel 919.314.5540 Fax 919.314.5541
[email protected]
Newsletter created for National Inclusion Project by Good News
The Voice
www.inclusionproject.org
Inclusion...the right thing to do!
An open letter from co-founders Clay Aiken and Diane Bubel, cont’d.
we officially announced the creation of The Bubel/
Aiken Foundation.
In the six years since, the Foundation has established itself as a leading voice for inclusion working with a “Who’s Who” list of youth organizations – YMCAs, Best Buddies International, Boys &
Girls Clubs, CampFire USA, 4H, the ARC – as well
as many other local parks and recreation departments, community centers, and privately-run programs. The Foundation has formed partnerships
with Johns Hopkins University’s National Center for
Summer Learning, the University of MassachusettsBoston’s Center for Social Development and Education, the University of New Hampshire’s Institute
on Disability, the University of Minnesota’s Institute
on Community Integration, and the University of
North Carolina-Chapel Hill’s FPG Child Development Center.
In 2008, both of the Foundation’s cutting edge inclusion models – Let’s ALL Play and the K-12 Inclusive
Service Learning Program – were closely evaluated
with overwhelmingly positive results. Children
with and without disabilities in these programs
saw growth in motor skills, social skills, and selfesteem, and the impact of the friendships made
will last long into the future.
In six years, the Foundation has worked with hundreds of programs, trained numerous staff members and leaders, and provided inclusive opportunities for over 20,000 children. This far-reaching
impact would not have been possible without the
dedicated support of countless volunteers and supporters. With your help in raising awareness and
funds through projects like Wrapping for Inclu-
sion and Change for
Change as well as local
fundraising efforts like
cookbooks, gatherings,
and online donation
drives, the Foundation
has dedicated the vast
majority of every dollar into making an impact with our programs. As
we realized the impact the Foundation has already
made, it became apparent that even bigger accomplishments could be on the horizon. To that end,
we along with the rest of the Board decided that a
new name for the Foundation would establish longterm credibility and stability. We sought a name
that would signify the Foundation’s position as a
national leader on inclusion as well as recognize
the Foundation’s start and the efforts of its faithful
supporters. After much thought and deliberation,
we are proud to introduce the organization we cofounded as the National Inclusion Project.
The National Inclusion Project is poised to continue
to make an impact with thousands of children nationwide as well as raise the national consciousness
about the need for and benefits of inclusion. We
are excited beyond measure to see Clay’s original
“project” become one that so many people have
invested time, energy, and dollars in to see doors
opened for children who may have never gotten
the opportunity to participate in life the way their
peers do. The National Inclusion Project is moving
forward hand-in-hand with supporters, families,
program providers, and other advocates to see the
vision of full inclusion nationwide become a reality.
Please join us in our push to make a difference in
communities all over the country.
National Inclusion Project
104 TW Alexander Drive, Bldg. 1, P.O. Box 110104, RTP, NC 27709
Tel 919.314.5540 Fax 919.314.5541
[email protected]
Newsletter created for National Inclusion Project by Good News
The Voice
www.inclusionproject.org
Inclusion...the right thing to do!
Bubel Aiken Founders’ Award
Diane Bubel and Clay Aiken are proud to establish
the Bubel Aiken Founders’ Award for Outstanding
Volunteer Service to be given annually beginning
with the 2009 Champions Gala on October 17, 2009.
It was through grassroots volunteer efforts that
the National Inclusion Project was started and it
is through those efforts that we have been able to
make such huge strides for inclusion nationwide.
The award will recognize a person, group, or Beta
Alpha network who fully embraces the mission
of the National Inclusion Project and makes an
“above and beyond” effort to raise awareness and
support year-round. The Board of Directors and
Staff will choose the award winner based on the
nominations received.
GoodSearch & Goodshop
Help the National Inclusion Project every time you
shop online and search the web by downloading
the GoodSearch/GoodShop toolbar! Each time
you shop at one of more than 1,000 participating
top stores (from Amazon to Zazzle!), National Inclusion Project will earn a percentage of the purchase price - at no extra cost to you! It also includes a search box and each time you search the
web, about a penny is donated to National Inclusion Project.
h t t p : / / w w w. g o o d search.com/toolbars.
aspx?charityID=75569
To nominate a deserving volunteer, visit
www.inclusionproject.org to fill out the form.
Partnership Update
The National Inclusion Project recently presented
it’s Let’s ALL Play program at FPG Inclusion Institute. Check out our blog on FPG’s website.
http://community.fpg.unc.edu/discussions
National Inclusion Project
104 TW Alexander Drive, Bldg. 1, P.O. Box 110104, RTP, NC 27709
Tel 919.314.5540 Fax 919.314.5541
[email protected]
Newsletter created for National Inclusion Project by Good News
The Voice
www.inclusionproject.org
Inclusion...the right thing to do!
Including Samuel, cont’d.
with disabilities. Now he thinks about inclusion
every day. Including Samuel chronicles the Habib
family’s efforts to include Samuel in every facet of
their lives. The film honestly portrays his family’s
hopes and struggles as well as the experiences of
four other individuals with disabilities and their
families. Including Samuel is a highly personal,
passionately photographed film that captures the
cultural and systemic barriers to inclusion.
The National Inclusion Project encourages supporters, volunteers and grantees to watch the film and
host screening parties in your communities. Go to
www.includingsamuel.com to:
• View the broadcast schedule.
• Watch the film trailer.
• Download the “Screening & Outreach Kit” with discussion questions, photos, templates
for posters and invitations, and more.
• Download free material from the ‘Resources’ section which features published research,
curriculum and articles, plus links to dozens of
organizations and media.
• Purchase the DVD. National Inclusion
Project supporters and volunteers can receive
a 10% discount off the individual DVD, and 20%
off purchases of 6 DVDs or more, by using the
coupon code IS10IP.
“I’m proud to have the National Inclusion Project
as a partner on this film,” says Habib, filmmaker
in residence at the University of New Hampshire
Institute on Disability. “Our missions are the same:
to make sure ALL young people have the opportunity to fully participate their community.”
Habib and his wife Betsy McNamara were honored
as Champions for Change at the National Inclusion Project’s 2008 Gala, and Including Samuel was
screened for supporters and volunteers before the
event. The film has been shown at universities and
independent theatres across the country. The film
has also been featured on All Things Considered,
Good Morning America, as well as in the Washington Post and Education Week. The film won the
Positive Images in Media award from TASH, an international group committed to the full inclusion
of people with disabilities. Mercy Corps, an international global aide agency, translated the film
into Arabic so it could be used to support Iraq’s
emerging disability rights movement.
NOTE: If you don’t see your station listed on the
INCLUDING SAMUEL
broadcast
schedule,
please call
the Audience Services
department
of your local public
television
station and
urge them
to broadcast
the
film.
National Inclusion Project
104 TW Alexander Drive, Bldg. 1, P.O. Box 110104, RTP, NC 27709
Tel 919.314.5540 Fax 919.314.5541
[email protected]
Newsletter created for National Inclusion Project by Good News