Inclusive Sports
Genuine Connect 2026 Conference in Houston, Texas
Registration is underway for the Genuine Connect 2026 conference being held in Houston, Texas July 25-26.
Genuine Connect is a two-day summit advancing inclusion, awareness and opportunity for the intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) community.
The event features speakers from Best Buddies, Bank of America, Special Olympics, and the University of Texas. The program includes a student research exhibition and the screening of a BBC documentary.
Learn more and register www.genuinecup.org
Volume 39, Number 1 | Spring/Summer 2026
Feature Issue: Inclusive Sports
Issue Editors:
Brian Abery, director, Global Disability Rights & Inclusion Program, Institute on Community Integration, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis
Jerry Holy, data management specialist, Special Olympics North America Unified Champion Schools, Washington, D.C.
Juliellen Simpson-Vos, director, Unified Champion Schools, Special Olympics North America, Washington, D.C.
Renáta Tichá, associate director of research, Institute on Community Integration, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis
Managing Editors: Greta Cunningham and Janet Stewart
Graphic Designer: Sarah Curtner
Web Developer: Jonathon Walz
Impact is published by the Institute on Community Integration (UCEDD), and the Research and Training Center on Community Living and Employment (RTC), College of Education and Human Development, University of Minnesota. It is supported, in part, by Grant #90DDUC0070 from the Administration on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), to the Institute; and Grant #90RTCP0003 from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR), HHS, to the RTC. Additional support for this issue was provided by Grant #5 T73MC12835-14-00 from the Maternal and Child Health Bureau, HHS, to the Minnesota LEND.
The views expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Institute, Centers or University. The content does not necessarily represent the policy of the US Department of Health and Human Services, or Department of Education, and endorsement by the Federal Government should not be assumed.
For print copies contact: Institute on Community Integration, University of Minnesota, 2025 East River Parkway Minneapolis, MN 55414 • icipub@umn.edu.
Impact is available in alternate formats upon request. The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity employer and educator.
The University of Minnesota stands on Miní Sóta Makhóčhe, the rightful homelands of the Dakhóta Oyáte. We recognize the U.S. did not uphold its end of these land treaties. It is the current and continued displacement of the Dakhóta Oyáte that allows the University to remain today.
Ongoing oppression and discrimination in the United States has led to significant trauma for many people of color, immigrants, people with disabilities, and other oppressed persons. At ICI, we affirm our commitment to address systemic racism, ableism and all other inequalities and forms of oppression to ensure inclusive communities.
