Special Olympics Research
Impact of the Special Olympics World Games on the Attitudes of Youth in China
This research was designed to provide a glimpse at the power of Special Olympics to impact youth attitudes and inclusive behavior towards people with intellectual disabilities. Previous research and anecdotal evidence has shown that people with exposure to Special Olympics have higher expectations for the capabilities of people with intellectual disabilities and a greater openness to inclusion. By measuring such attitudes before World Games and repeating the survey after the event, this research provides additional suggestive evidence for this link.
Questions focused on familiarity with Special Olympics, perceived capabilities of youth with intellectual disability, and willingness to personally interact with someone with intellectual disability. In virtually every aspect, attitudes improved between the pre-Games and post-Games surveys.
Researchers interviewed middle school students in three different cities that varied in distance from the site of the Games (Shanghai). This allowed a comparison between youth who had varying levels of exposure to the Games. Results were consistent with previous evidence, showing a connection between involvement and more positive attitudes. In some instances, the differences were dramatic. For example, 49% of youth who were not involved with Special Olympics felt students with intellectual disabilities could learn the same academic subjects as others; 76% of those who were involved expressed this belief.
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