Did you know that 60% of people still believe that individuals with intellectual disabilities should be segregated in schools and in the workplace? The problem is that not everyone knows or has met someone with an intellectual disability. The Schriver Report Snapshot conducted by  Harris Poll for The Special Olympic International World Games and Shriver Media found that:

• the 56% of Americans who know someone with ID are twice as likely to understand the facts behind it

• and Americans who’ve never met someone with ID are three times less likely to find the R-word offensive in any context

It seems that the best way to promote empathy and understanding is making sure that people of all abilities are welcome and supported in our public spaces, schools, and places of work. We were moved by this testimony from Best Buddies Global Ambassador Paul Brooks, calling on us all to make everyone feel included, regardless of ability:

“Together we can make a difference and to influence our culture for people with disabilities, if we spread the word for inclusion! We have the power to use language that invites people in and encourages them to be themselves”

Read Brooks’ full story at www.medium.com, and make your pledge for inclusion today.

Having access to affordable, safe housing is a basic need of any young family. Not only does it give children a physical space to grow-up, it provides the emotional stability for a family that helps children thrive emotionally. Learn more about the important work being done to provide housing to families around the world at www.habitat.org.

Most people are familiar with the drug problem with professional athletes, but the problem extends to animals participating in sports too. Drugs that mask injuries or push horses to race even when injured are common, and put the horses at risk along with their riders. Learn more at www.humanesociety.org.

Facing an outbreak of car thefts committed by teens, police chiefs and prosecutors are pushing a bill that would send more young people into adult courts. Connecticut’s recent experience with juvenile justice reform shows why it’s the wrong choice. Learn more about the issue and how you can take action at www.sentencingproject.org.

International Rescue Committee spotlights the dreams, ambitions, and abilities of these young Syrian refugees to highlights their important work.

Reading about the hopes and dreams of these young Syrian girls will warm your heart, and most importantly, remind us that they are no different from any child. This is a great example of photography and visual storytelling being used share the impact that this nonprofit’s work is having on people’s lives and motivate people to support their work. Learn more about the International Rescue Committee’s work and these girls’ stories at rescue.org.

This ad for the Alzheimers Association gives voice to those most impacted: women.

This video spot does a wonderful job focusing on the positive and spreading joy while spreading an important message. Check out the ad on thedrum.com.

Animal activist turned entrepreneur.

Bruce Friedrich used to tell people about the lives of livestock animals in hopes that they would give up meat out of moral obligation. Now, he wants to sell them better alternatives. Not sure he’ll be able to replace our daily pastrami on rye lunch order, but we’ll give him a chance. Read his full story on nyt.com.

Is she bossy, or just a boss? This slack plug-in highlights unconscious gender-bias.

The women’s workplace nonprofit Catalyst has created a Slack plugin that points out unconscious gender-bias in conversations on the app at work. Language is important, and projects like this reminds us all that the wrong words hurt. Read more at adage.com.