LEA SANDOZ-MEY
GERMANY & SWITZERLAND, 19
Project: inclusion 360
Basic Human Needs: Education
Growing up with a cognitively impaired brother, Lea witnessed the stigmatization faced by people with cognitive challenges. In 2018, Lea founded inclusion 360 to foster exchanges between people with and without cognitive impairments on equal footing, encouraging everyone to exist together in one inclusive society. inclusion 360 organizes events in Zurich, Switzerland, where they curate dialogue and activities for individuals with and without cognitive challenges to enjoy together. inclusion 360 has hosted 50+ attendees each month, with an overwhelming positive response. In partnership with Sunshine Zimbabwe Project, inclusion 360 is planning to build a residential community in Zimbabwe where there are few existing resources for young cognitively impaired adults to receive an education, vocational training or accommodation support. inclusion 360’s community in Zimbabwe will be home for 50 cognitively impaired people and offer centralized workshops, agricultural systems and work opportunities. In 2020, Lea plans to grow inclusion 360’s work in Zurich by implementing courses on inclusion, partnering with schools and achieving a 50/50 ratio of participants with and without cognitive impairments. Lea’s future plans include an annual march to raise inclusion awareness and the promotion of inclusion through policy change. Lea hopes to spark all nations to foster a united society – one in which citizens would learn from, and be inspired by, individuals with cognitive challenges, just as she continues to learn and be inspired by her brother.