Unified Basketball
In 2014 the Dream Program partnered with the Ocean Springs School District and created the first Unified Basketball Program for a High School on the Gulf Coast. Working with the Athletic and Special Education Department’s leaders and teachers, qualifications were established to enable an enrolled student with an IEP to participate. Players with the Junior High and High School Basketball teams served in the role of “Facilitators” for athletes with various disabilities participating on the “Blue” Team and the “White” team.
Initially, the Dream Program provided Greyhound uniforms for each athlete, thanks to the generosity of a local business, and provided volunteer coaches for each team and the referees for each game of the six-eight week season. As time progressed, teachers from the Special Education Department became Coaches for the program, while the Dream Program provides Referees and guidance upon request.
Efforts were made to establish similar programs in other school districts, with some success at the Pascagoula-Gautier School District in establishing two competing teams. Multiple games were played between the Greyhounds and Panthers / Gators, much to the delight of families, friends, and students of the three high schools. Another first for local individuals with disabilities who would have never had the opportunity to participate in such a weekly competition were it not for the Dream Program.
The Dream Program continues to reach out to other local High Schools each year to establish similar programs in all schools across the Mississippi Gulf Coast.