Best Buddies in San Diego is a proud of Unified Esports League (UESL), an organization dedicated to helping individuals with disabilities grow through their passion for gaming and technology. UESL began their mission to bring this program to the IDD community in 2021. They first traveled to UC Irvine to tour and meet with the head of their esports program. UC Irvine was one of the first universities to bring on an official esports athletic program. After meeting with UC Irvine, UESL began the process of becoming a vendor of the San Diego Regional Center.

A Shared Mission of Inclusion

UESL is built on the belief that gaming and technology can be powerful tools for social-emotional growth, team building, and community engagement. As proven and well-documented in physical sports, esports offers the same benefits to those competing and playing on esports teams. UESL’s programs help individuals with disabilities develop key life skills such as communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and problem-solving—all of which mirror the values Best Buddies instills in its participants. UESL also promotes physical well-being through a curriculum that includes healthy posture, nutrition, and exercise, reinforcing the idea that a healthy body leads to a healthy mind—and a better gamer.

For many individuals with IDD, making social connections can be challenging. Gaming provides a common ground where friendships can form naturally, creating an inclusive environment where everyone can belong. Best Buddies recognizes that esports and technology are an incredible way to build these connections, making this partnership with UESL an ideal fit.

Empowering Josue Through Gaming

One incredible success story from this partnership is Josue, a participant in Best Buddies’ Citizens program in San Diego. Josue’s passion for video games and relationship with founder, Matthew Iske, drew him to participate in UESL programs. Through UESL, he now has the opportunity to game with others at Abraxas High School in Poway, a UESL host site that welcomes 12-18 clients daily.

Beyond gaming, Josue has a personal goal of gaining independence by learning how to drive. However, due to his Cerebral Palsy, traditional driving methods are challenging for him. Thanks to UESL’s commitment to empowering individuals with disabilities, they invested in a driving simulator with hand controls, allowing Josue to practice in a way that mimics real-life driving. The simulator is improving his hand-eye coordination and bringing him one step closer to achieving his dream of driving.

Looking Ahead: Expanding Opportunities for Individuals with IDD

The partnership between Best Buddies San Diego and UESL is just getting started, but it’s already creating life-changing opportunities for individuals with IDD. By combining the power of friendship, gaming, and technology, we can continue to break down barriers and create an inclusive community where everyone—regardless of ability—can pursue their passions and build meaningful connections.

We are excited to see this collaboration grow and look forward to helping more individuals with IDD find friendship, confidence, and independence through the world of gaming. To learn more about UESL, visit: https://www.unifiedesl.com/.