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Four runners sprinting, with spectators in the background.

Special Olympics

Special Olympics engages nearly 4 million athletes annually. Every two years, Special Olympics World Games transcend the boundaries of geography, nationality, and culture. Beyond the playing field, athletes often say the program helps strengthen their voice and purpose, while their families gain networks of support and celebration that reduce isolation.

Read about this and other top 40 ideas in Impact.

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Researcher Renáta Tichá (left) interviewed self-advocates at the ACT State Self-Advocacy Conference in Minneapolis in November 2025.

Making Change: Community Living in the 21st Century

As communities themselves change, how are people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities affected by that change?

To answer that question, ICI researchers such as Renáta Tichá (pictured at left) are interviewing self-advocates to learn their needs. “People are telling us how to improve the system and where they need better support,” she said. “We need to think about a more nimble, flexible service system.”

Learn more about 21st-century community living.

Maren Christenson Hofer (third from left; MNLEND 2018-19) is executive director of the Multicultural Autism Action Network. Her colleagues, from left to right, are Fatima Molas, Rufo Jiru, and Delia Samuel.

Leading in Challenging Times

Amid federal efforts to dismantle programs helping underserved communities, along with threats to several state protections for people with disabilities, Maren Christenson Hofer (pictured third from left; MNLEND 2018-19) is part of a small but growing organization that helps autistic children and their families thrive. “If ever there were a time for us all to step up and make our voices heard, now is it.”

Learn more about helping autistic children.