CiTR

Jasper and Ciara sit down with Maria Barbosa, Co-President of Best Buddies UBC, to learn more about the UBC Best Buddies. Best Buddies is the world's largest organization dedicated to ending the social, physical and economic isolation of the 200 million people with IDD. For individuals within this community, Best Buddies helps them form meaningful friendships with their peers, secure successful jobs, live independently, improve public speaking, self-advocacy and communication skills, and feel valued by society.

Learn more: https://amsclubs.ca/best-buddies/
Contact: bestbuddiesubc@gmail.com

Friendship is important in the development of all people. For people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (IDD), friendship is a medium through which they become active members of the community. Our club offers people with IDD the chance to participate in experiences that most of us take for granted: going for coffee, going to the movies, or just spending time with a friend.

Our club helps alleviate loneliness and isolation and builds leadership skills, independence, and confidence through friendships between UBC students and people with IDD in the Vancouver area. Our vision for the future is a world that fosters awareness and inclusion and supports individuals with an Intellectual and/or Developmental Disability (IDD).