SIGA and SoulTouchin’ launch inclusive mentorship for youth with disabilities

The Sport Integrity Global Alliance (SIGA) has announced a new partnership with SoulTouchin’ Experiences (STE) to promote equity, accessibility, and leadership opportunities for young Americans with disabilities through a mentorship program rooted in sport.

The collaboration, formalized this week, merges SIGA’s acclaimed SIGAWomen mentorship model with STE’s community-driven work in civic engagement and accessible sport. The result is a dynamic, U.S.-focused initiative that aims to empower disabled youth through leadership training, local community involvement, and viable pathways into careers in the sports industry.

Timed ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the program will integrate traditional soccer with digital innovations like e-soccer to maximize participation. The broader approach, which bridges sport, arts, and technology, aims to foster meaningful inclusion and inspire a new generation of leaders.

Mission to improve the global sporting landscape

In addition to mentorship, the partnership will feature joint events and initiatives that advance integrity, good governance, and inclusivity in sports at every level. It’s also part of SIGA’s wider mission to drive diverse representation and fair systems across the global sporting landscape.

“This community impact project means a lot to us,” said Katie Simmonds, SIGA’s Global Chief Commercial Officer and Chair of the SIGAWomen Council.

“By harnessing the power of soccer and mentorship, building on the experience and legacy being built by SIGAWomen and wide SIGA universe, we are committed to opening doors of opportunity for disabled and marginalized youth across America, offering not just education, but empowerment, joy and pathways to employment.

Keith Jones and SoulTouchin’ Experiences have long been at the forefront of real, transformative change, uniting humanity through the simple yet profound idea of equal opportunities for all. I’ve always admired Keith’s vision, and I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with him and SoulTouchin’ to evolve SIGAWomen into a true catalyst for change. Together, we’re poised to harness the global energy of the 2026 FIFA World Cup to ignite lasting impact and change lives for generations to come.”

Keith Jones, an Emmy Award-winning activist, musician, and President of SoulTouchin’ Experiences, brings decades of experience to the project. He is also the Co-Founder Emeritus of Krip-Hop Nation and a recipient of the 2023 PYD Oswald Mondejar Innovation Award and the 2023 Max Starkloff Lifetime Achievement Award.

Speaking about the collaboration, Jones said:

“Accessible Sports in Society – ASIS is initially a two year project by Soul Touchin’ Experiences LLC and will be developed through a partnership with Autistic Women and Nonbinary Network. By engaging the community at the intersection of sports, arts and technology, we will be using the game of soccer as a gateway to full community inclusion. We are excited to announce our partnership with SIGA as one of our collaborators for mentorship.”

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