e-Buddies

The [|e-Buddies]program was established by [|Best Buddies International], a US-based non-profit organisation which advocates for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and observes that :

//When people with IDD are unable to attain or maintain a job, it is most often due to an absence of social skills rather than an inadequacy to perform the work required. Best Buddies introduces socialization opportunities and job coaching, providing the necessary tools for people with IDD to become more independent and, consequently, more included in the community.//

e-Buddies is an email pen-pal program which pairs people with IDD with peer volunteers without a disability from anywhere in the world. Through email correspondence, the person with IDD learns social skills, literacy and computer skills. Through the pen-pal communication, both individuals have the opportunity to learn about different perspectives on the world and build friendships which embrace diversity.

e-Buddies is open to anyone with an email address and aged over 10 years. Participants with an IDD can sign up individually, or as part of a group through a special education class or support service agency at no cost. In order to ensure online safety, all emails are forwarded through the eBuddies servers and there is no direct communication between the accounts of the participants. Sign-up includes agreeing to a set of guidelines regarding disclosure of personal information, use of email attachments, etiquette, etc. and a commitment to send email once a week for at least one year.

When incorporated into a class program, each participating student (with or without an IDD) will need access to computers with an internet connection, a separate email address, and time made available each week to use email. Each participating student is matched with a pair elsewhere in the US or around the world for the duration of the school year, and encouraged to exchange emails sharing ideas and stories with their pair; Australian school teachers would need to be prepared to ensure continuity from one year to the next in order to coordinate with the US school year.

The e-Buddies website includes a link to a regular newsletter which offers suggestions for conversation starters for students who may have difficulty beginning correspondence. It also features stories of friendships which have developed through e-Buddies, and would be an inspiring way of teaching and learning about diversity, inclusivity and social justice.