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Special Olympics offers training and competition opportunities in 30 Olympic-type sports for athletes 8 years or older.  For children with intellectual disabilities ages 2 through 7, Special Olympics provides a Young Athletes Program. Special Olympics coaches have a unique opportunity to work with athletes in competitive situations to assist in their training for life. As a grass-roots organization, Special Olympics relies on volunteers at all levels of the movement to ensure that every athlete is offered a quality sports training and competition experience. Individual donors, corporate partners and many others make it possible for Special Olympics to offer children and adults with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage and experience joy through participation in the program.
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Adaptations

In competition, it is important that the rules not be changed to suit athletes' special needs. However, coaches can modify the training exercises to accommodate each athlete's special needs and/or adapt sport equipment to assist athletes in achieving success.
 
Specific adaptations for floor hockey are listed below:
 
Orthopedic Impairments
If an athlete cannot grasp a stick, the coach can attach the stick to the athlete's arm with an ace bandage or wrist guard.
 
Auditory Impairments
Use hand signals along with whistle to start and stop play.
 
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Special Olympics
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Washington, DC 20036 USA
+1 (202) 628-3630
Fax: +1 (202) 824-0200