Best Buddies Ambassador Program Cultivates Speaking Skills

Currently pursuing a law degree at New York Law School, Rachel Lader has completed internships with New York firms such as Mallilo & Grossman and Hach & Rose, LLP. Rachel Lader has a history of charitable contributions, including donating gifts from her bat mitzvah to organizations such as Best Buddies.

Founded on the premise that the power of friendship can be life-changing, the Best Buddies program fosters inclusivity through partnerships between students without intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDD) and those with IDD. In addition to empowering some 200 million people with IDD, Best Buddies operates an ambassadors program focused on public speaking and community advocacy.

Best Buddies ambassadors participate in group and private trainings to improve their speech writing and public speaking skills, which enables them to play active roles in the disability rights movement. Additionally, ambassadors work with Best Buddies staff members to identify opportunities in the community where they might practice their skills, including special events or local legislatures. As ambassadors gain more experience, they can progress to a role as a state or global ambassador who speaks nationally on behalf of Best Buddies.