Supporting People with Disabilities Through Advocacy & Employment

When we choose to include, everyone wins When we choose to include, everyone wins section

Join us in supporting Special Olympics athletes to create a more inclusive world. Share their stories and tag your messages of encouragement with #choosetoinclude.

Press to play the video

VIDEO: See how Renee Manfredi, Special Olympics athlete, found her voice on and off the field

Get the whole story

When I was growing up, it wasn't easy. I was often ignored, made fun out, talked over. I was pretty much isolated, never really included.

On screen copy:
Renee Manfredi
Sargent Shriver International Global Messenger for Special Olympics

I felt alone. Special Olympics is more than a sports organization. It was like stepping through a door into a whole new world full of possibility and opportunity, and not just as athletes but community leaders, public speakers, colleagues, employees. For the first time in my life I could actually be okay with being myself.

Good morning Support Services team.

On screen copy:
Bank of America Support Services
Boston, Massachusetts

Good morning.

We have a treat today. Her name is Renee Manfredi and she's come to share her experience in Special Olympics.

Hi guys!

On screen copy:
Sue Burton
Enterprise Marketing Executive
Bank of America

Support Services is so important, because while there's three million people in the U.S. with intellectual disabilities, many people will say that they don't actually know someone who has an intellectual disability. So to have this group of colleagues in our midst who we work with every day, we better understand what it's like to live with an intellectual disability. We also understand what's possible for them to achieve on a playing field and in the office space as a teammate.

I never thought this would be me. This is all because Special Olympics takes a person like me, and like you, who have been on the sidelines of life, and puts us on the playing field, or on a podium. I learned I have a voice.

When I speak to individuals with intellectual disabilities, I feel a sense of purpose. I feel a sense of accomplishment and empowerment, especially if I can maybe hopefully make a difference in the life of someone.

I met Renee and she told me that it was her dream to sing the National Anthem at Fenway Park. I was so delighted because I knew we could make that happen for her.

On screen copy:
Troup Parkinson
Executive Vice President, Partnerships
Boston Red Sox

Someone like Renee is who we really want to embrace and be a part of. Everything she's been through, what she's overcome, it's impressive. These are the stories and experiences that we want everyone here, including our players, to be a part of.

I am so beyond grateful because this is a chance for people to see me, not just as an individual with an intellectual disability, but as a singer. As a person with ability.

Here to perform our National Anthem, please welcome Renee Manfredi.

(singing)
Oh say can you see.

That's basically my goal. I want them to see us, not as people with disabilities but with ability.

(singing)
And the home of the brave.

Great job. That was awesome.

Very good!

On screen copy:
What would you like the power to do?

On screen copy:
Bank of America
Special Olympics
Official Bank of the Boston Red Sox
Major League Baseball trademarks and copyrights are used with permission of Major League
Baseball. Visit MLB.com.
© 2019 Bank of America Corporation. All other trademarks are trademarks of their respective owners and used with permission.

Close button

GALLERY: Special Olympics USA athletes receive a hero's send-off as they head to the World Games

GALLERY: Special Olympics USA athletes receive a hero's send-off as they head to the World Games

Special Olympics USA team included Bank of America employee Andrew Crout

Special Olympics USA team included Bank of America employee Andrew Crout

Unified team Téa and Zeke take the court together at the Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019

Unified team Téa and Zeke take the court together at the Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019

GALLERY: Celebrating inclusion with Special Olympics athletes at Bryant Park's FrostFest

signs in New York City Skating Bumper Cars Igloos Icebergs

GALLERY: Celebrating inclusion with Special Olympics athletes at Bryant Park's FrostFest

Special Olympics athlete, Cori Davis, shows us how much we are capable of when we choose to include

50 years after the first Special Olympics International Games, hope still lights the way

50 years after the first Special Olympics International Games, hope still lights the way

Support Services employee-reporters cover 2018 Special Olympics USA Games in Seattle

Support Services employee-reporters cover 2018 Special Olympics USA Games in Seattle

Press to play the video

VIDEO: Bank of America employee and Special Olympics athlete Tyler is featured in a TV spot made for ESPN

[SUPER]

TYLER KENNEDY

SPECIAL OLYMPICS ATHLETE

[SUPER]

TYLER KENNEDY

BANK OF AMERICA EMPLOYEE

[Tyler Kennedy]

I get up in the morning, just like you.

I have breakfast and go to work, just like you.

I love music. I eat good food. I hang out with friends.

And just like you, I keep all my medals in my living room.

Don’t you?

[SUPER]

JOIN US IN CELEBRATING A WORLD OF EXTRAORDINARY ABILITIES

[LOGO]

Special Olympics 50 1968 – 2018 | Bank of America®

[SUPER]

PROUD PARTNERS FOR OVER 30 YEARS

#PICKUPHOPE

BANKOFAMERICA.COM/PICKUPHOPE

© 2018 Bank of America Corporation.

Close button

Press to play the video

VIDEO: Our employee-athletes inspired our Support Services teammates at the 2018 Special Olympics USA Games

Get the whole story

[SUPER: Bank of America Presents]

[Bank of America knockout logo]

[SUPER: TEAMMATES]

[Erin Bailey]
We’re gonna be working on your backhands.
Nice, nice! Good! Nice, one more!

[SUPER: Tyler Kennedy, Bank of America]

[Tyler Kennedy]
I got this letter, it said Special Olympics on it. And I opened it, and it says, “Congratulations, you got selected for National Games.” I was in tears the whole time, I called my whole family, I was like, “Oh, jeez.” A dream come true.

[SUPER: Erin Bailey, Bank of America]

[Erin]
Going to the USA Games is very important for me. I’m meeting new tennis players, playing against other tennis players that I never played against before, and try to beat their butts. [Erin laughs]

[Mark Feinour]
Erin, could you come over, I Have something to show you.

[Erin]
Ok! [Erin gasps] Thank you!

[Mark]
I’m very proud. The whole division’s very proud.

[SUPER: Mark Feinour, Bank of America]

[Mark]
Support Services is a major line of business here at Bank of America that provides warehousing, fulfillment, and print production. We just happen to have a different talent pool that we employ here, where all of our employees have a cognitive and/or developmental disability. Bank of America has a long history with Special Olympics. The one benefit that we have of having athletes work here, a lot of what they learn on the court or in the pool, carries over to here in the workplace. The dedication, the pride, the ability to learn, and do better, makes them not only better athletes but also makes them better employees.

[SUPER: Coach Mary Moore]

[Mary Moore]
Erin is so proud of having her job. She loves going every day. She has been given so much opportunity by Bank of America. Special Olympics is so important because it really raises your self esteem. She is just, like a role model to everyone else.

[Erin]
Go right arm over.

[Group]
Seven, six, five, four, three, two, one.

[Erin]
Think positive. You can do this. Don’t put yourself down. A couple times I had to say to myself, I was like, “Ok Erin, just focus, come back to earth, (laughter), and you can do it.” And.. I did it.

[SUPER: Coach Michelle Goldstein]

[Michelle]
To go the distance, you have to be set in knowing that that’s a lot of work. If you’re able to do 40 laps, that is unbelievable. So if he can go 40 laps, he can do anything he sets his mind to, whether he’s in Special Olympics, whether he’s out there in his day to day job, I just feel like he’s zero to a hundred, and he gives a hundred percent no matter what. He’s a team player, he cheers the team on, “Let’s do this again. Here, we can do two more laps.” High fives the teammates, which is great.

[Tyler]
Go for your goal, do what you have to do, and do it. As long as you have a goal, a dream, go for it.

[Erin]
My coworkers are like, very excited for me. They’re like, “You gotta bring home the gold.” I’m like, “Ok, I will try to bring home the gold.” [Erin laughs]

[Tyler]
I think everyone’s proud of me. My family, my coaches, my family here at Bank of America, everybody is just very proud of me, of doing what I’m doing.

[Group cheers]

[Woman]
Good job, good job.

[Tyler laughs]

[SUPER: #PICKUPHOPE]

[End card: Special Olympics USA Games logo Bank of America logo © 2018 Bank of America Corporation]

Close button

GALLERY: Our Support Services team spreads a unifying message of diversity and inclusion

GALLERY: Our Support Services team spreads a unifying message of diversity and inclusion

Press to play the video

VIDEO: Special Olympics role model Dustin Plunkett inspires people to put down limits

Get the whole story

(Dustin) Growing up, I was moved home to home, family member to family member. Nobody knew how to support me, because of my cleft palate and my intellectual disability. I would always get laughed at because of the way I talked. I had no self-esteem. I’d be getting bullied every single day, getting my lunch money stolen, I was getting my backpack stolen and shredded with razor blades. I had either two choices, either start fighting against these bullies, or go home and cry myself to sleep every single night. At the age of 7, I got involved in the Lakewood youth sports program, and that’s when I first met Coach Chuck who’s been not just a friend but a mentor, a role model, and a father figure to me.

(Coach Chuck) How’s it going?

(Dustin) It’s going good, how are you?

(Coach Chuck) Good to see you!

(Dustin) Chuck approached me about joining Special Olympics; I’m like, what is it, who is it for, how’s it going to make a difference in my life?

(Coach Chuck) He started meeting the other athletes and participants in the program and he hit off with like two or three of them right away.

(Dustin) Me not having that family support system and all that growing up, that became my family, my support system.

(Coach Chuck) That was the first step in what has transpired for Dustin, just an amazing career thus far.

(Dustin) I became a fulltime employee for Special Olympics Southern California in 2015. We’re all coming together for one common goal: to make a change in the life of the athletes we serve.

(Dustin) Let’s say that you were going to speak at A World of Difference about how Special Olympics made a world of difference in your life. Right now, I mentor multiple athletes depending on what their needs are at the time. Let me win.

(Marco) Let me win.

(Dustin) But if I cannot win.

(Marco) But if I cannot win.

(Dustin) Let me be brave in the attempt.

(Marco) Let me be brave in the attempt.

(Dustin) Perfect!

Basically, the one thing I want everyone to take away from this is really to see the ability in our athletes and not the disability.

Alright let’s go!

It’s important to me to make the guys I coach into leaders, in their lives on and off the court, because I know how much it made a profound impact on my life.

[move around guys, move around, there you go, keep going.]

Warriors on three, ready? 1.. 2..3…Warriors!

From being a shy young kid, being bullied, to working full time for Special Olympics Southern California, to being an ESPN Analyst, live in front of millions of people around the world, is a miracle for me.

My goal is to just share my story.

All it is is you having the heart and the courage to dream big and never letting anything get in your way and stop you.

If something comes up in your way and they tell you “you can’t do it,” prove them wrong by just saying two words, “watch me.”

Close button

Press to play the video

VIDEO: Skier Chris O’Neil prepares for Special Olympics World Winter Games 2017

IN MARCH, OVER 2,700 ATHLETES FROM 107 COUNTRIES WILL COMPETE FOR GOLD AT THE SPECIAL OLYMPICS WORLD WINTER GAMES IN AUSTRIA.

CHRIS O’NEIL WILL BE ONE OF THEM.

SUPER: Meghan O’Neil, Chris’ Sister

Meghan O’Neil: Sometimes when I’m struggling I look at what Chris has to go through. He is so motivated and determined to be more than somebody with a disability.

SUPER: Andrea O’Neil, Chris’ Mom

Andrea O’Neil: Chris has Mosaic Trisomy 8 Syndrome so it just takes Chris a little bit longer sometimes to process information, but he usually moves right along. There were times when he was growing up it was a struggle. People would give him a hard time, but he’s coming into his own.

SUPER: Chris O’Neil, Special Olympics USA Athlete

Chris O’Neil: Special Olympics is one of the greatest things that has ever happened to me. Meeting people and just the competition part – I enjoy the most.

Andrea O’Neil: Look at you. This is you getting the medal on the podium. I think it’s a gold.

Chris O’Neil: Yeah. I will never forget that.

Andrea O’Neil: I see a lot coming out recently. Part of it’s Special Olympics. Part of it’s working at the hospital I think as well. He works at Lowell General. He’s been there about 4 years. He works five days a week. People are very welcoming.

Chris O’Neil: Hey Lisa.

Nurse: How’s your day going?

Chris O’Neil: So far, so good.

Meghan O’Neil: I think he’s just got a lot of determination to be the best he can be and it obviously shows how much progress he’s made, especially in skiing.

Andrea O’Neil: He loves to ski. When they were younger we’d all go skiing together.

Meghan O’Neil: At one point in time I’m pretty sure I was faster than him, but at this point in time there’s no way I could catch up to him. He’s definitely learned a lot from his coaches.

Bob Russel (coach): Lean forward. You got to bend.

Chris O’Neil: When my coaches say, “You could do a little better, I know you can.” And I say, “You know what? I know I could too.”

Bob Russell: Put your skis on the edge like this. Ok?

Chris O’Neil: Maybe I didn’t tuck as good or I didn’t bend as far down. So I got to do those two things to get a faster time.

SUPER: Bob Russell, Coach, Nashoba Shooting Stars

Bob Russell: He’s out there working hard and he comes with a great attitude. There couldn’t be a better person to go to Austria than him.

SUPER: Riley O’Keefe, Chris’ Best Friend

Riley O’Keefe: When I found out Chris was going to compete in Austria for the Winter Games, I sobbed I was so happy for him.

Riley O’Keefe: He sends me a video that his mother had taken and I got goosebumps.

Andrea O’Neil: He didn’t know. So he was sitting on the couch. There was a promo for the World Games.

Chris O’Neil: My sister gave me the card that told me that I’d been picked.

Off-screen voice: You’re on the United States Olympic team.

Chris O’Neil: Oh my gosh.

Meghan O’Neil: You did it. You made it all the way here, Chris!

Chris O’Neil: Probably one of the best things that ever happened to me.

Andrea O’Neil: We’re all going now. All of his family members are going…his siblings...we’re all going to be there to cheer him on.

Chris O’Neil: To me, about going there – it’s more of a once in a lifetime experience. It just feels like I know I can do it and it’s something I really enjoy. It makes me feel free.

Andrea O’Neil: I’m so proud of him. I’m just very proud…happy for him.

GRAPHIC: #PICKUPHOPE

GRAPHIC: Life’s better when we’re connected®

Bank of America | Special Olympics

bankofamerica.com/pickuphope

Close button

30‐year Special Olympics partnership 30‐year Special Olympics partnership section

For more than 30 years, we’ve worked with Special Olympics to empower people with disabilities around the globe to find success on and off the field.

Hear how Loretta Claiborne, Special Olympics athlete, won gold on ‘That Made All The Difference’

New podcast interview with Loretta Claiborne

Hear how Loretta Claiborne, Special Olympics athlete, won gold on ‘That Made All The Difference’

Two men smiling. Banking on inclusion Special Olympics highlights our efforts to honor the talents of a diverse workforce. Learn more

Bank of America employee helped choreograph dance routines for Special Olympics cheerleaders

Bank of America employee helped choreograph dance routines for Special Olympics cheerleaders

Learn why employee Dean and his family are fierce advocates of Special Olympics.

Press to play the video

VIDEO: Meet Dustin: From fitting in to rising above

Get the whole story.

Right from the start, Dustin just wanted to play.

Maybe some people looked at him and saw a kid who was different.

But with a bat or ball in his hand, on a golf course, or on a track, he didn’t feel different.

He just felt like a kid who wanted to compete.

With Special Olympics he had the chance.

And no matter how big the stage, Dustin has always risen to the occasion.

As an athlete, as a World Games board member, and now – on the biggest stage yet;

As an ESPN analyst for 2015 Special Olympics World Games.

I’m here all week with Bank of America and ESPN to show the world what inclusion and respect is all about.

Special Olympics World Games
Los Angeles 2015
Begins Saturday, July 25th on ESPN
Presented by Bank of America

Close button

School Day Games bring Special Olympics to students

School Day Games bring Special Olympics to students

Our ongoing commitment Our ongoing commitment section

Every day we create opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities through our company‐wide commitment to diversity and inclusion in the workplace and community, with our partnerships, and with our products and services.

Bank of America recognized by Disability:IN for third year in a row

Bank of America recognized by Disability:IN for third year in a row

Partnering with Legal Aid to help our local community

Assistant General Counsel Brett Shockley

Partnering with Legal Aid to help our local community

At Bank of America, we are proud of our inclusive culture where all employees can thrive

Press to play the video

VIDEO: Our Support Services group demonstrates how important it is to look past disability and see opportunity

Watch now.

[On screen copy]
Support Services at Bank of America employs over 300 people with intellectual disabilities

So many success stories in here, it’s just crazy.

[On screen copy]
Keri Laws, Support Services Employee

It makes me feel really good that I’m getting married this year.

[On screen copy]
Dawn Trinidad, Support Services Employee

I’m a good influence on my son because I got my job here.

[On screen copy]
Selina Waller, Support Services Employee

Everybody encourages you to do your best.

Yes, this is a job that I can do!

I have a future here.

We’ve become friends here at Bank of America, it’s like a family.

Support Services is a line of business here at Bank of America that supports every major line of business through our services of fulfillment, screen printing, digital printing, and warehouse and fulfillment.

[On screen copy]
Mark Feinour, Support Services Executive

Every employee here within Support Services has a cognitive and/or developmental disability.

The culture within Support Services is for our teammates to look out for each other. And what we found with Ron and Terence is, they have a special relationship. Ron is a great resource for Terence, to help him get to and from the building each morning. And then on the flip side, Terence is a help with Ron when they sit there and do fulfillment jobs together. They complement each other well with their abilities.

Ron is an asset to the team, keep up the great job Ron.

[On screen copy]
Anne Finucane, Vice Chairman

So much of what you do is about the respect that we’re giving to our customers. Without your help, we just simply would not do as well. And you should congratulate yourselves for that.

We consider Support Services like any other line of business. We just happen to have a different talent pool that we pull our resources from. Everything that we do within Support Services is 100% quality check. And 99% of our business is repeat business because our customers see what we do and realize that they’re getting a better product at a lower cost than they would using an outside supplier.

When you look at Support Services and why our tenure is the way it is, is because we look out for each other, both inside and outside the workplace. And that’s one of the things that sets us apart from other companies.

Hey guys, how we doing this morning?
Family, and I mean it from the bottom of my heart. This is family. From the moment we come in the morning to the time we leave, this is us.

[On screen copy]
What would you like the power to do?®

Bank of America Logo
Learn more: bankofamerica.com/SupportingInclusion

Bank of America, N.A. Member FDIC. © 2019 Bank of America Corporation.

Close button

Skookum creates opportunities that impact lives

Helping everyone reach their full potential

Helping everyone reach their full potential

Devoted to others

Devoted to others

Love has no race, religion, or gender. Proud supporter of Love Has No Labels.

See how our Support Services teammates achieve their goals

Press to play the video

VIDEO: Learn how greater office accessibility helps employees like Chandler focus on their career

Get the whole story

Graphic: 2015 Governor’s NCWorks Awards of Distinction Outstanding Adult

Graphic: Chandler Henry, Indian Land, SC

Donna Sobotkin:

People with disabilities, particularly someone with high-level spinal cord injuries, as Chandler experienced, have to overcome a long list of environmental and attitudinal barriers. I think that drive and persistence have really helped him to not only overcome the barriers, but also really excel in what he’s doing. I think the other thing that’s remarkable about Chandler and has been the case for the 16 years I’ve known him, is his outlook on life is just very optimistic and positive.

Jacob Lawler:

When you first meet Chandler, you’ll be quick to realize that he’s an extremely sharp, quick witted guy whose work ethic will inspire you. Chandler is an outstanding people person. The patience and empathy he shows towards everyone really drives his success. His optimism on life is just contagious. And he’s really just a fun guy to work with.

Teresa Pahutski:

I think the bank, when he came in, they saw a young man and not the chair. They saw the attitude, the knowledge, the hunger to learn and do. Determination, positive, retaining his knowledge. Researching. Those all propelled him forward. I think it gives him a sense of confidence that exudes. He shares it with everyone.

Jason Pritchard:

When we first hired Chandler, we were somewhat apprehensive about both his physical disabilities and his lack of experience. What we realized very quickly was that Chandler’s willingness to learn, his thirst for knowledge, and his willingness to work with a team far outweighed any of our concerns. And we would definitely encourage people to look for more people like Chandler.

Bill McNairy:

I think with the can-do attitude and how proactive and eager Chandler has been, I think he has a lot of runway. We just promoted him this year and I can see continued success for Chandler and continued expansion of his role and certainly opportunity for additional roles either in my department or also in other places within the company if that’s where he’d like to take his career.

Cheryl Greer:

Chandler approaches each challenge with a positive and helpful attitude. He doesn’t take no for an answer. He wants to understand what he’s doing and why and how it fits into the big picture. The advice I would give to other employees from a manager perspective when recruiting candidates is not limit your scope or exclude a candidate that may have a physical disability. Those are easily overcome with today’s technology. If you’re not broadening your scope, you could be missing out on top talent.

Chandler Henry:

I have many important people that have come across my life that have done many things for me that I’m inspired by. If I’d narrow it down for this question, I’d say that one is certainly my girlfriend Natalie who’s been with me for the last eight years. I think accepting someone with a disability and being able to be in a relationship is not something that everyone can do. It takes a lot of time, a lot of care and a lot of commitment. My second role model would be Donna Sobotkin, my vocational rehab counselor off-and-on for the last 16 years. Her commitment to public service and the clients that she has is amazing. It just makes me want make her proud.

Close button

Loan processor with autism is Bank of America’s best

Loan processor with autism is Bank of America’s best

Championing the Economic Empowerment of People with Disabilities

Bank of America continues to be a leader and innovator in shaping public perception around the full economic participation of people with disabilities

Michael Morris,

Executive Director, NDI

Are Not FDIC Insured	Are Not Bank Guaranteed	May Lose Value
Are Not Deposits	Are Not Insured by Any Governmental Agency	Are Not a Condition to Any Banking Service or Activity

Supporting People with Disabilities

When we choose to include, everyone wins When we choose to include, everyone wins section

30‐year Special Olympics partnership 30‐year Special Olympics partnership section

Our ongoing commitment Our ongoing commitment section

Advertising practices