American University (AU) and Special Olympics have announced a new collaboration that will include research and educational initiatives focused on persons with intellectual disabilities, and that will provide substantial outreach opportunities for students and faculty. This unique collaboration coincides with the 50th anniversary year of Special Olympics and the unveiling of AU’s new strategic initiative on global disability and development, led by its Institute on Disability and Public Policy (IDPP). AU will host a signing ceremony to commemorate its partnership with Special Olympics and to inaugurate the new initiative on Tuesday, March 6, 2018, 1:00-2:00 p.m. at Palmer Kettler Lounge in the AU Sports Center. AU President Burwell, Special Olympics Chairman Shriver and Special Olympics D.C. athlete Novie Craven will commemorate the new agreement between the two institutions.