Bubel Aiken Foundation
Encyclopedia
National Inclusion Project (formerly the Bubel/Aiken Foundation) is a non-profit organization, founded in 2003 by Clay Aiken
and Diane Bubel, dedicated to promoting the inclusion of children with disabilities in activities with their non-disabled peers.
By providing services and financial assistance, the Foundation supports communities and programs in creating awareness and opportunities for full inclusion where barriers break and doors open. Its goal is to create an environment for children where inclusion is embraced.
On August 5, 2009, in an open letter from the founders, Clay Aiken and Diane Bubel stated "As we realized the impact the Foundation has already made, it became apparent that even bigger accomplishments could be on the horizon. To that end, we along with the rest of the Board decided that a new name for the Foundation would establish long-term credibility and stability. We sought a name that would signify the Foundation’s position as a national leader on inclusion as well as recognize the Foundation’s start and the efforts of its faithful supporters. After much thought and deliberation, we are proud to introduce the organization we co-founded as the National Inclusion Project.
. His interest in autism
issues led him, along with Diane Bubel (whose son Michael is diagnosed with autism and was tutored by Aiken), to found the Bubel/Aiken Foundation, which supports the integration of children with disabilities into the life environment of their non-disabled peers.
Initially, Aiken developed the concept of the foundation as a project to complete credit hours needed for graduation from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte
. Aiken worked on the organization and set up of the Foundation while competing on American Idol and performing with the season 2
contestants during their summer tour. After receiving over $50,000 in donations to the as-yet non-existent organization, Aiken decided to follow through and make the organization a reality. On July 28, 2003, just 2 months after the end of the competition, he officially announced the creation of The Bubel/Aiken Foundation.
In October 2005 the Foundation debuted a new look for its website and a new logo described in the announcement as "The new logo abstractly displays five individuals coming together, representing five points of a star. One is unique from the rest, but is nonetheless included as part of the whole."
In a joint statement, Aiken and Bubel announced on August 5, 2009 that National Inclusion Project was the new name of the Foundation.
The National Inclusion Project has partnered with Johns Hopkins University
Center for Summer Learning to develop and pilot a summer learning curriculum that youth-serving organizations can use to offer inclusive summer camp opportunities. Mitsubishi Electric
America Foundation has supported this project with a grant.
Grants are given to non-profit or public community organizations whose programs focus on on inclusion for ALL children. Organizations receiving grants include The Salvation Army
Kroc Center, San Diego, California
, the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta, Georgia
and the City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department, Bloomington, Indiana
to develop a K-12 curriculum
for inclusion to be used in schools across the country. In addition State Farm
granted $1.5 million dollars to the Foundation to help develop a primary education curriculum focused on teaching social and life skills through service to children of all levels of ability. In January 2009 the University of Minnesota's Institute on Community Integration announced that the curriculium had completed the testing phase and was ready to be released.
in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida
. The all day event includes a golf clinic, brunch, an afternoon of golf, dinner, live and silent auctions and entertainmennt. Professional golfer
Wayne Player has co-hosted and conducted the golf clinics.
competition at the annual Southern Women's Show in Raleigh, North Carolina
since 2007. Local celebrities partner with professional ballroom dancers to win the contest. All proceeds benefit the National Inclusion Project.
season to wrap presents for shoppers, help raise awareness and support for the National Inclusion Project, spread holiday cheer, and have fun!
Clay Aiken
Clayton Holmes "Clay" Aiken is an American singer, songwriter, actor, producer and author who began his rise to fame on the second season of the television program American Idol in 2003. RCA Records offered him a recording contract, and his multi-platinum debut album Measure of a Man was released...
and Diane Bubel, dedicated to promoting the inclusion of children with disabilities in activities with their non-disabled peers.
By providing services and financial assistance, the Foundation supports communities and programs in creating awareness and opportunities for full inclusion where barriers break and doors open. Its goal is to create an environment for children where inclusion is embraced.
On August 5, 2009, in an open letter from the founders, Clay Aiken and Diane Bubel stated "As we realized the impact the Foundation has already made, it became apparent that even bigger accomplishments could be on the horizon. To that end, we along with the rest of the Board decided that a new name for the Foundation would establish long-term credibility and stability. We sought a name that would signify the Foundation’s position as a national leader on inclusion as well as recognize the Foundation’s start and the efforts of its faithful supporters. After much thought and deliberation, we are proud to introduce the organization we co-founded as the National Inclusion Project.
History
The Bubel/Aiken Foundation was founded in July 2003 by singer Clay Aiken from the hit TV show, American IdolAmerican Idol
American Idol, titled American Idol: The Search for a Superstar for the first season, is a reality television singing competition created by Simon Fuller and produced by FremantleMedia North America and 19 Entertainment...
. His interest in autism
Autism
Autism is a disorder of neural development characterized by impaired social interaction and communication, and by restricted and repetitive behavior. These signs all begin before a child is three years old. Autism affects information processing in the brain by altering how nerve cells and their...
issues led him, along with Diane Bubel (whose son Michael is diagnosed with autism and was tutored by Aiken), to found the Bubel/Aiken Foundation, which supports the integration of children with disabilities into the life environment of their non-disabled peers.
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
The University of North Carolina at Charlotte , also known as UNC Charlotte or simply Charlotte, is a public research university located in Charlotte, North Carolina, United States...
. Aiken worked on the organization and set up of the Foundation while competing on American Idol and performing with the season 2
American Idol (Season 2)
The second season of American Idol premiered on January 21, 2003 and continued until May 21, 2003. The title of show was shortened from American Idol: The Search for a Superstar of Season 1 to just American Idol. Brian Dunkleman quit after the first season, and Seacrest therefore became the lone...
contestants during their summer tour. After receiving over $50,000 in donations to the as-yet non-existent organization, Aiken decided to follow through and make the organization a reality. On July 28, 2003, just 2 months after the end of the competition, he officially announced the creation of The Bubel/Aiken Foundation.
In October 2005 the Foundation debuted a new look for its website and a new logo described in the announcement as "The new logo abstractly displays five individuals coming together, representing five points of a star. One is unique from the rest, but is nonetheless included as part of the whole."
In a joint statement, Aiken and Bubel announced on August 5, 2009 that National Inclusion Project was the new name of the Foundation.
Let's ALL Play
Let's ALL Play is a program that works in conjunction with summer camps by providing inclusive camp experiences to children with disabilities in an integrated environment alongside children without disabilities. The programs are implemented with YMCA, Boys and Girls Clubs, community and private summer camps.The National Inclusion Project has partnered with Johns Hopkins University
Johns Hopkins University
The Johns Hopkins University, commonly referred to as Johns Hopkins, JHU, or simply Hopkins, is a private research university based in Baltimore, Maryland, United States...
Center for Summer Learning to develop and pilot a summer learning curriculum that youth-serving organizations can use to offer inclusive summer camp opportunities. Mitsubishi Electric
Mitsubishi Electric
is a multinational electronics and information technology company headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. It is one of the core companies of the Mitsubishi Group....
America Foundation has supported this project with a grant.
Grant Program
The Foundation has presented yearly Able to Serve awards to children with physical and mental disabilities to support their volunteer efforts. These awards are granted to fund service projects created by children with disabilities to encourage them to provide service to others.Grants are given to non-profit or public community organizations whose programs focus on on inclusion for ALL children. Organizations receiving grants include The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army is a Protestant Christian church known for its thrift stores and charity work. It is an international movement that currently works in over a hundred countries....
Kroc Center, San Diego, California
San Diego, California
San Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...
, the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
and the City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department, Bloomington, Indiana
Bloomington, Indiana
Bloomington is a city in and the county seat of Monroe County in the southern region of the U.S. state of Indiana. The population was 80,405 at the 2010 census....
K-12 Inclusive Service Learning
In late 2004 the Foundation was presented with a $500,000 grant from the U.S. governmentOffice of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services
The Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services is a program of the United States Department of Education. OSERS' official mission is "to provide leadership to achieve full integration and participation in society of people with disabilities by ensuring equal opportunity and access to,...
to develop a K-12 curriculum
Curriculum
See also Syllabus.In formal education, a curriculum is the set of courses, and their content, offered at a school or university. As an idea, curriculum stems from the Latin word for race course, referring to the course of deeds and experiences through which children grow to become mature adults...
for inclusion to be used in schools across the country. In addition State Farm
State farm
State farm can refer to:*Sovkhoz, a type of state-owned farm in the Soviet Union*Volkseigenes Gut, a type of state-owned farm in East Germany*Państwowe Gospodarstwo Rolne, a type of state-owned farm in People's Republic of Poland...
granted $1.5 million dollars to the Foundation to help develop a primary education curriculum focused on teaching social and life skills through service to children of all levels of ability. In January 2009 the University of Minnesota's Institute on Community Integration announced that the curriculium had completed the testing phase and was ready to be released.
Fund Raising
In November 2007, Aiken was a contestant on a celebrity edition of the game show Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?. Playing for his Foundation, he chose to drop out after the ninth question with $300,000, despite having a copy and a save at his disposal. If he had played the tenth question, he would have won $500,000; Aiken and the 5th grader playing with him both had the correct answer.Champions Gala
Beginning in November 2004 in Los Angeles the Foundation has hosted an annual Gala featuring dinner, live and silent auctions and entertainment. Every year special recognition is given to the "Champions of Change" honorees selected by the Foundation. They are individuals, companies or groups who have made a significant effort to promote awareness of the need for inclusion.Golfing for Inclusion
Begun in 2008 this annual fund raiser has been held at the Mirasol Country ClubMirasol
The Country Club at Mirasol, also referred to simply as Mirasol, is a large, gated community located in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. The community, developed by Taylor Woodrow, contains just under 1,200 homes and home sites on two championship golf courses along with natural preserves and lakes....
in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida
Palm Beach Gardens, Florida
Palm Beach Gardens is a city in Palm Beach County in the U.S. state of Florida. The city is in the center of a rapidly-developing area north of West Palm Beach in the northern part of the county and the South Florida metropolitan area. , the population was 48,452...
. The all day event includes a golf clinic, brunch, an afternoon of golf, dinner, live and silent auctions and entertainmennt. Professional golfer
Professional golfer
In golf the distinction between amateurs and professionals is rigorously maintained. An amateur who breaches the rules of amateur status may lose his or her amateur status. A golfer who has lost his or her amateur status may not play in amateur competitions until amateur status has been reinstated;...
Wayne Player has co-hosted and conducted the golf clinics.
Dancing Like the Stars
Partnering with A Step to Gold International Ballroom, the Foundation has hosted a danceDance
Dance is an art form that generally refers to movement of the body, usually rhythmic and to music, used as a form of expression, social interaction or presented in a spiritual or performance setting....
competition at the annual Southern Women's Show in Raleigh, North Carolina
Raleigh, North Carolina
Raleigh is the capital and the second largest city in the state of North Carolina as well as the seat of Wake County. Raleigh is known as the "City of Oaks" for its many oak trees. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city's 2010 population was 403,892, over an area of , making Raleigh...
since 2007. Local celebrities partner with professional ballroom dancers to win the contest. All proceeds benefit the National Inclusion Project.
Wrapping for Inclusion
The "Wrapping for Inclusion" fund raiser, sponsored by the Foundation, is a nationwide effort by volunteers who set up at malls during the HolidayHoliday
A Holiday is a day designated as having special significance for which individuals, a government, or a religious group have deemed that observance is warranted. It is generally an official or unofficial observance of religious, national, or cultural significance, often accompanied by celebrations...
season to wrap presents for shoppers, help raise awareness and support for the National Inclusion Project, spread holiday cheer, and have fun!