Special Olympics Promotes e-Buddies Email Program for Athletes
No longer does Special Olympics only serve as a sports organization. Technology is moving in on our athletes as e-Buddies, an e-mail pen pal program, is now creating e-mail friendships between Special Olympics athletes and their non-disabled peers.
e-Buddies is free for Special Olympic Athletes. Since its inception, the program has matched thousands of people with cognitive disabilities, offering them meaningful e-mail friendships with non-disabled peers across the country. Many of the athletes who participate in e-Buddies look forward to sharing the rigors of their practice schedules, their on-field accomplishments, disappointments and competitive aspirations with a friend who shares their athletic passion.
Any athlete who is at least 10 years old can participate. For athletes who do not know how to use e-mail, e-Buddies has developed a guide that teaches new computer users how to use e-mail. To obtain the small guide, call 202-266-2275.
For athletes who are already using e-mail, signing up for e-Buddies is easy. First of all, athletes will need access to a computer that is Internet ready. If they do not have a computer that they can use at home, school or work, they are encouraged to check with their local public library for computer usage. Simply go to the e-Buddies web site at www.ebuddies.org and answer the following questions on an e-Buddies online application:
- name
- home address
- phone number
- e-mail address
- date of birth
- social security number
e-Buddies carefully screens all of its participants, both non-disabled volunteers and athletes. Therefore, athletes will need to provide the name and daytime phone number of three references, who can be teachers, friends, neighbors, family members, coaches or any other person who knows them well. e-Buddies will probe for signs of any possible red flags, assess the interest level of the athlete and make sure they are a good fit for the program.
Lastly, e-Buddies conducts a thorough background check and matching process. Once complete, the athlete is matched with a friend with a similar background and interests and the fun begins!
For more information on joining e-buddies, visit http://www.ebuddies.org