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We believe awareness is learned through experiences.

We created a STEM-based experience

that helps students discover

what they’re capable of.

You can’t just read a book or be told stories and really know what someone else’s life is like. It takes sitting down face-to-face and engaging with another person—learning about them, the way they think, the way they perceive the world, and the way the world perceives them. These types of interactions are how change happens—one person, one experience at a time.

Unified Robotics is a Team-based experience where neurodiverse students work together to build and program a LEGO robot. It is modeled after competitive high school robotics, with a fixed season where Teams have several weeks to imagine and build a robot, culminating in a championship tournament and celebration. All participating students are recognized for their efforts in Unified Robotics.

Unified Robotics introduces STEM concepts to people with intellectual disabilities in a way that will ignite interest and open doors for them in the future. Many of these students have little or no hands-on experience with STEM. Unified Robotics helps them know what they’re capable of. It’s the first building block, put there so that next time someone tells them, “you can’t do that,” they have the confidence (and experience) to know they can.

As the STEM world grows, it will be increasingly important to find leaders who are brave enough to step outside the perceived norm in search of wisdom or perspective that comes from a unique source—people who live and thrive with intellectual disabilities. Unified Robotics introduces people with intellectual disabilities to a population of students who may not otherwise have any exposure to people with special needs. These students learn to overcome their differences and communicate effectively with one another. They gain leadership skills and learn they can find talent where others don’t, putting them leaps and bounds ahead of the average STEM star because of their participation in Unified Robotics.

These students feel a sense of accomplishment as they succeed in this unique environment, they create meaningful relationships, and their experience helps them redefine success—because success looks different for everyone.

Unified Robotics has been an independent, nonprofit organization since 2015.

In 2015, Delaney Locher brought her high school FIRST® Robotics teammates to Roosevelt High School in Seattle, Washington, to work alongside students with special needs to build robots. Her sister, Kendall Foster, has autism, and Delaney has been a life-long advocate of inclusive education.

In Washington State, Unified Robotics has partnered with Special Olympics Washington to increase access of the program to Unified Champion Schools within the state. We have since been expanding the program to new regions across the U.S. and the world.

Unified Robotics is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Seattle, Washington.

Our Core Values

1

Respect

We value all members, empowering everyone to contribute.

2

Willingness

We try new things, opening unexpected new doors.

3

Empathy

We build a foundation for understanding the experiences of others.

4

Community

We create meaningful relationships for lasting change.

5

Success

We believe every person defines their own success.

Leadership Team

Unified Robotics is made up of a small team of extremely passionate people dedicated to igniting a passion of STEM learning to students of all abilities.

Meet Delaney

Delaney Locher

Founder, Executive Director

Andrew LaPrade

Program Director

Noelle Foster

Chairperson

Ambassador Teams

Unified Robotics Ambassador Teams proudly represent Unified Robotics in the FIRST community.

Iron Patriots

FRC 4131
Renton, WA, USA

Project Bucephalus

FRC 5985
Wollongong, NSW, Australia

In The News

In Culture Podcast

Accessibility for all

How building robots together is opening doors and hearts

Teen with autism inspires a movement: robotics teams for everyone

Seattle makes history with first Special Olympics robotics championship