Special needs can encompass much more than developmental disorders like autism and Down syndrome. Dani Preiser, a junior majoring in psychology, is trying to spread that message.

That is why she founded One World, a national organization that aims to unite those with special needs with the mainstream population. The organization does this through fundraising, volunteer service and peer education and also holds events to raise money for a group home for individuals with autism. It began in 2009 as a club at Preiser’s high school, John F. Kennedy High School, in Bellmore, New York, and it now has more than 100 members at Binghamton University.

Preiser said she started the club with the goal of raising $20,000 for Fragile X syndrome research, a genetic disorder similar to autism, which Preiser’s brother and cousin both have.

“With the support of my community we were actually able to raise $40,000,” Presier said. “I realized that I wanted to make a more direct impact on my brother’s world and I decided I wanted to build my brother and others like him a home.”

Preiser’s new goal is to build “One Special World,” a group home for individuals with special needs, one of them being her brother. She said she wants the house to hold four residents with mortgage completely covered.

“My vision is that there are four residents, one staff and one therapy dog,” Preiser said. “I want the house to be 100 percent personalized. I want people there with hammer and nail making each room individualized to the resident.”

One World became Student Association-charted this semester, and held their first event on campus last Thursday. The Walk for One World sold more than 200 tickets and raised over $1,200 toward building “One Special World.” The walk around the Mandela Room featured performances from Hoop Troop, the Pegs and Evolution Dance Company as well as a visit from a group of Special Olympians from the area.

According to Nikki Laird, the One World secretary and a junior majoring in business administration, this organization spreads a message that she can personally relate to.

“My twin brother Jordan has autism and I’m really worried about the group home culture,” Laird said. “A lot of group homes have reports of abuse and it frightens me. I am a part of One World because I feel that every individual who has special needs and their families should not have to worry whether they’re going to be abused in the home.”

One World raised $21,000 toward building One Special World prior to Thursday’s walk. According to Preiser, her brother won’t be ready to move into the home for seven years, so that is the timeline for hitting One World’s goal of $800,000 to completely build and personalize the home.

Gabriella Eiss, a sophomore majoring in political science, said she was glad to attend the walk and make a difference.

“I went to the One World walk to support both an amazing person and an amazing organization,” she said. “Seeing so many people come together for one purpose was truly amazing.”