Special Olympics New York, Capital Region High Schools Celebrate Unity and Acceptance with “Opening Doors for Inclusion” Campaign

In high schools across the Capital Region, students are making a bold statement about the power of inclusion—one decorated door at a time. The Opening Doors for Inclusion campaign, led by student members of Special Olympics Youth Activation Committees (YAC), has grown tremendously in just its second year.

Last year, approximately 15-20 classroom doors were transformed into symbols of acceptance and unity. This year, an incredible 79 are participating in the competition, each one creatively expressing what inclusion means to the students and their schools.

A Celebration of Inclusion Through Art

The campaign challenged students with and without disabilities to work together to design doors that visually represent the spirit of inclusion. While this year’s competition encouraged a Disney theme, schools had the freedom to interpret inclusion in their own way.

The result? Hallways filled with stunning, heartfelt displays—each one a testament to the creativity, passion, and commitment of these young advocates.

“In my four years at this school, I have never seen a student stop to look at a door—until now,” said Shaker High School Senior & Regional YAC President Mira Ginsburg. “Seeing faces light up when reading about inclusion is a beautiful thing. Seeing faces light up while decorating doors is a sight that I truly cannot describe. This small addition to our building has created a more inclusive environment, made people’s days, and made our community a better place. From 2021 to 2025, our unified community has grown at a pace that is unstoppable. Over a 400% increase in participation, and I truly cannot wait to see where we will go, especially knowing that our campaign, Opening Doors for Inclusion was a spark for this expansion.

Youth Leaders at the Helm of the Special Olympics Movement

The Opening Doors for Inclusion campaign is organized by students involved in the YAC who participate in Special Olympics Unified Sports and promote inclusion within their schools year-round. The students are at the forefront of the movement, using their voices and creativity to foster a culture where everyone is valued and respected.

“The campaign has brought so much positivity, creativity and awareness to our hallways, students and our staff,” said Katelyn Aker, Scotia Glenville teacher and Unified coach. “This district wide campaign truly gave us the opportunity to spread inclusion and kindness through not only our students and staff, but through our community as well. It has been a positive feeling of togetherness across the board.”

The Competition: A Tough Choice for Voters

With nearly four times as many doors in the running this year, choosing a winner won’t be easy. Special Olympics New York staff members will cast their votes to determine which school created the most powerful visual representation of inclusion. But beyond the competition, the true victory lies in the conversations sparked and the awareness raised through these artistic expressions.

“The Opening Doors for Inclusion campaign has proven to be yet another vehicle for these students to continue doing what they do best: breaking down barriers, creating inclusive friendships, and ensuring that all students—regardless of ability—feel seen, heard, and valued,” said Special Olympics NY President & CEO Stacey Hengsterman.

“Special Olympics New York’s ‘Opening Doors for Inclusion’ campaign has been a resounding success in improving inclusion and ensuring that all of our students—including those living with disabilities—feel heard, seen, and valued,” said State Senator Patricia Fahy (D—Albany). “This is an opportunity for students throughout the Capital Region to have important conversations surrounding equity and breaking down barriers for their fellow classmates while, ultimately, having fun, building community, and transforming schools into expressive and beautiful settings. I look forward to seeing its continued success and expansion this year, and wish all schools and students participating; good luck!”

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