January 2025 — CricketTogether has successfully completed a four-month-long certification program on how to create mentoring programs, activities, and events that are inclusive to youth, volunteers, and staff with disabilities.
This certification was run by Partners for Youth with Disabilities (PYD). The Fall 2024 cohort was the fifth time this certification has been offered, and it featured participants from 20 unique mentoring organizations across 13 different U.S. states. Collectively, it is estimated that 7860 young people will be impacted by these programs that graduated the Disability Mentoring Program Certification.
“We are thrilled to recognize the accomplishments of our certification cohort,” said Kristin Humphrey, the Program Director. “Each participating organization created a detailed Inclusion Action Plan, and they have all made huge strides in making their mentoring program more inclusive of people with disabilities. This certification is an important step for the mentoring field to take to become more inclusive and accessible.”
To complete their certification, CricketTogether staff completed over 20 hours of online coursework, contributed to weekly discussion posts, and attended live webinars and cohort convenings, while also creating a plan to improve the disability inclusion practices in their organization.
Through this program, CricketTogether staff gained valuable training in a wide range of topics, including:
- Models and definitions of disability
- Addressing ableism and fostering inclusion
- Disability rights and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
- Universal Design principles
- Inclusive language and communication strategies
- Accessible marketing and outreach practices
“We are incredibly proud to celebrate the completion of the certification program, a significant milestone in our ongoing journey to foster a more inclusive and accessible world,” said Laura Woodside, SVP of Education Products at Cricket Media. “At CricketTogether, we believe that inclusion isn’t just a value—it’s a practice that strengthens our communities and enriches the connections we create through mentoring. This achievement reflects our unwavering commitment to empowering individuals of all abilities and identities, ensuring that every voice is heard and every perspective valued. We remain dedicated to advancing inclusion in all that we do and look forward to continuing this important work together.”
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About Partners for Youth with Disabilities (PYD):
Partners for Youth with Disabilities (PYD) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping young people with disabilities reach their full potential by providing mentoring, career readiness, and leadership programs. Founded in 1985, PYD is committed to ensuring that all youth with disabilities have access to the support and resources they need to achieve personal, educational, and professional success.
Through innovative programs we break down barriers, providing the support and resources needed to increase participation and inclusion for disabled youth and forward-thinking organizations. PYD’s training and consulting services help organizations cultivate a more inclusive and equitable world by equipping organizations with the tools to support and include individuals with disabilities.
For more information about PYD’s programs and services, visit www.pyd.org
About CricketTogether:
CricketTogether, the mission-based, mentoring-for-children initiative of Cricket Media, Inc. strives to connect, support, and sustain 1:1 eMentoring relationships that empower every child to unlock their full personal and academic potential.
For more information on CricketTogether, visit cricketmedia.com/crickettogether/
