birdies & buddies

The goal of this project is to provide both children and adults with physical and cognitive disabilities an opportunity to make new friends with other individuals that they might not otherwise have the chance to meet through the setting of a casual afternoon of playing badminton. There is a need for more inclusive athletic programs that cater to all abilities and prioritize the feelings of fulfillment associated with playing and excelling in a sport and the formation of meaningful friendships over competition. This project focuses on the creation of a scalable framework for badminton events under the title of “birdies & buddies,” with the intention that these events can be reproduced in schools or communities across the state of CT, and perhaps further, as they will be provided will all instructions, materials, and equipment to do so.