e-Buddies

Welcome to e-Buddies©, the newest and most innovative friendship program from Best Buddies! e-Buddies© proves to the world that people with intellectual disabilities are capable not only of having meaningful friendships but also of participating in the world of technology.

What is e-Buddies©?
e-Buddies pairs one person with an intellectual disability in an e-mail friendship with a volunteer who does not have a disability.

What do e-Buddies© do?
e-Buddies participants agree to e-mail each other once a week for one year. Of course, many of our participants enjoy the e-mail friendship so much, they e-mail each other everyday.

How old do I need to be to join e-Buddies©?
You must be at least 10 years old to participate.

Do I need my parent's permission to participate?
If you are under age 18, you do need to have your parent's permission to join e-Buddies. If you are over the age of 18, have an intellectual disability, and a legal guardian, you need your guardian's permission to join e-Buddies. The sign-up form will guide you through the process of getting your parent or guardian's permission.

Does e-Buddies© cost anything?
e-Buddies is free for students. e-Buddies is free for people with intellectual disabilities. Because we are a nonprofit organization, we do charge volunteers who are not students a one-time $50 fee. This fee helps cover the costs of checking references and processing applications.

Is it safe to participate in e-Buddies©?
Best Buddies is committed to doing all we can to make e-Buddies a fun, fulfilling, and safe experience. This is why we screen all applicants and require parental permission for those under 18. We also require all participants to agree to a code of conduct that prohibits the exchange of addresses and telephone numbers, the transmittal of pornographic information, and the transmittal of any attachments. In-person meetings are also prohibited, unless arranged by a Best Buddies staff member.

To join e-buddies today, visit www.ebudddies.org and complete the online application. Any questions, call e-Buddies© Headquarters at (202) 266-2275.