Our Work
Open House Honoring Special Olympics Resounding Success
Dr. Timothy Shriver and Melissa Joy Reilly receive HPOD Award on behalf of Special Olympics
Over 100 students, faculty and advocates gathered in Austin 101 midday on September 17th to watch as HPOD Faculty Director, Professor William P. Alford and Executive Director Professor Michael A. Stein award Special Olympics the annual Harvard Law School Project on Disability Award for Creative Contributions to Human Betterment.
Receiving the award on behalf of Special Olympics was Dr. Timothy P. Shriver, Chairman of the Board of Directors for Special Olympics International and Melissa Joy Reilly, Special Olympics Board Member and gold medal-winning Alpine Skier.
Special Olympics, founded in 1968, serves over 5.6 million Special Olympics athletes in 172 countries, all working to promote health, education, and a more unified world through the joy of sports. From the Award itself, "For five decades, the athletes of Special Olympics have taught the world about courage, determination, and inclusion. We celebrate their spirit and that of the staff, volunteers, families, and friends who comprise this remarkable movement – and look forward to continuing to learn with and from Special Olympics."
Professor Stein, commenting on the success of the event, said "Our longtime partnership with Special Olympics has been a vehicle for empowerment for persons with ID and a source of joy for HPOD. We look forward to many more years of joint advocacy and enablement for our friends with ID."
Click here for an ASL translated recording of the whole event. For more information on HPOD events, like the Award for Creative Contributions to Human Betterment check our events page and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.