ORLANDO – The Orlando Magic hosted their annual Magic of Inclusion Night presented by Ticketmaster on Thursday, March 12, when the team took on the Washington Wizards at Kia Center. Local groups dedicated to disability awareness were highlighted throughout the night. At halftime, the Magic and the Down Syndrome Foundation of Florida recognized the 2026 Inclusion Champion of the Year. The night also recognized World Down Syndrome Day (officially observed on March 21).
The Inclusion Champion of the Year award is given to a Florida educator or staff member who has provided their students with inclusion opportunities throughout the school year. This year’s award was given to Yari Arroyo, a teacher from Esther’s School in Osceola County. Arroyo has demonstrated her passion and innovation while inspiring the students she interacts with on a daily basis. Magic of Inclusion Night also featured pregame performances by UpBeat! and West Orange High School’s Unified Cheerleading team, a wheelchair basketball scrimmage at halftime by Central Florida Dreamplex’s Orlando Magic Dreamers, a “High-Five Halftime Experience” and various in-game content.
The Orlando Magic also recognized Kieran Patel, a former Orlando Magic HQ contributor, as a Magic Diversity Gamechanger. Kieran dedicated his time to teaching basketball to players with disabilities at local community centers such as Morning Star Catholic School and I Beliv You Matter where he worked as a Behavior Therapist for children with autism. Kieran passed away in January 2025, leaving behind his wife Bryanna and a legacy of service through his commitment to special needs groups.
In addition, an Orlando Magic-inspired House 81 candle is available for purchase at the Magic Authentics Team Store for the remainder of the season. House 81 is a social venture of Quest, Inc. and was created to open doors to meaningful work for people with developmental disabilities. The company’s name is derived from the National Core Indicators Report statistic that 81% of people with developmental disabilities are unemployed. Quest’s mission is to help people with developmental disabilities by providing lifelong services so they may experience a full life.
As part of the Magic’s on-going inclusion efforts, the team also recently announced a collaboration with Ticketmaster to provide OneCourt’s tactile broadcasts for visually-impaired fans attending Orlando Magic home games. There are five OneCourt devices available at the Kia Center at no additional cost thanks to Ticketmaster’s partnership. Fans can reserve a device in advance through the Orlando Magic App’s Marketplace or by emailing info@orlandomagic.com. Devices may also be checked out on a first-come, first-served basis by presenting a driver’s license or government-issued ID at the Guest Assistance Booths located at sections 111 or 219.
In a commitment to serve all Magic fans, staff members have also received training from KultureCity that focuses on assisting individuals with disabilities and creating an inclusive gameday environment. KultureCity is the world’s first startup nonprofit with the mission to rethink accessibility to create acceptance and inclusion for individuals of all unique abilities.
Additionally, in 2017, AdventHealth assisted the Magic in creating a sensory room available to all patrons at the Kia Center. The sensory room, which has been revamped this season, promotes a positive and accommodating experience for all fans and guests with sensory sensitivities who attend events at the arena. The space provides a dedicated space for those who may need a quieter and more secure environment to ensure fans have a great guest experience.
Sensory sensitivities or challenges with sensory regulation are often experienced by individuals with autism, dementia, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other similar conditions. One of the major barriers for these individuals is sensitivity to noise and over stimulation, which can be a large part of the environment at a sports and entertainment venue.
The Orlando Magic believe sports have the ability to bridge divides and bring people together. The Magic are committed to driving awareness, creating change and cultivating an inclusive environment where everyone feels welcomed, valued and appreciated.
About the Orlando Magic
Orlando's NBA franchise since 1989, the Magic's mission is to be world champions on and off the court, delivering legendary moments every step of the way. Under the DeVos family’s ownership, the Magic have seen great success in a relatively short history, winning seven division championships (1995, 1996, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2019, 2024, 2025) with seven 50-plus win seasons and capturing the Eastern Conference title in 1995 and 2009. Off the court, on an annual basis, the Orlando Magic gives more than $2 million to the local community by way of sponsorships of events, donated tickets, autographed merchandise and grants. Orlando Magic community relations programs impact an estimated 100,000 kids each year, while a Magic staff-wide initiative provides more than 7,000 volunteer hours annually. In addition, the Orlando Magic Youth Foundation (OMYF) which serves at-risk youth, has distributed more than $31 million to local nonprofit community organizations over the last 36 years. The Magic’s other entities include the team’s NBA G League affiliate, the Osceola Magic, 2021 G League champions, and the Orlando Solar Bears of the ECHL, which serves as the affiliate to the NHL’s Tampa Bay Lightning. The Magic play their home games at the award-winning Kia Center – voted by fans no. 1 in the NBA for game experience; honored with TheStadiumBusiness Awards’ Customer Experience Award; named SportsBusiness Journal's Sports Facility of the Year; and awarded the Venue Excellence Award (VEA) by the International Association of Venue Managers. The Magic practice at the award-winning AdventHealth Training Center. The Magic was also recognized by the Sports Business Journal as one of the “Best Places to Work” in sports in 2023 and 2024. For ticket information, visit OrlandoMagic.com or call 407-89-MAGIC.