Latin America Research Symposium An athlete at the first Latin America Games at the aquatics venue. In recent years, Special Olympics has sharpened the focus on its mission not just as a sports organization for people with intellectual disabilities, but also as an effective catalyst for social change. “We need to shift from 'nice' to 'important.' Special Olympics is not nice. It is important,” said Special Olympics Chairman Timothy Shriver in his remarks to the symposium audience. [Photo courtesy of the official Games Web site] The first-ever Special Olympics Latin America Research Symposium was convened on 28 March in conjunction with the first Special Olympics Latin America Games. Leaders from academic institutions, nongovernmental organizations, and governmental office in the fields of health, education, and sports joined with families, athletes, and service providers to discuss and establish a policy-setting Latin American research agenda for Special Olympics. The theme of the Symposium was, “Sport, Health, and Education: Challenges and Opportunities for People with Intellectual Disabilities.” The morning sessions included presentations from academic experts, association representatives, and government officials, including the First Ladies of El Salvador and Panama. These plenary talks and presentations outlined chief concerns faced by persons with intellectual disabilities and their families, highlighted recent research conducted by Special Olympics and collaborating academic institutions, and profiled recent efforts by Latin American countries to improve the status of, and prospects for, persons with intellectual disabilities. “Today, only five per cent of individuals with intellectual disability in Latin America have access to education," said Dennis Brueggemann, Managing Director, Special Olympics Latin America. "Only five per cent.” The morning sessions laid the foundation for afternoon workgroups on the topics of health, sport, and education. These workgroups conducted lively discussions about research and policy issues of pressing concern and each workgroup generated and prioritized a research agenda, which was presented to all the participants at the conclusion of the symposium. Research raises public awareness of the barriers facing people with intellectual disabilities (legal rights, opportunities, resources, social standing, social rights, protection from abuse and discrimination, etc., across such domains as education, employment, health, social participation, government participation, sport participation, and more), creating greater relevance for Special Olympics ongoing health and sports programming efforts.      < Return to main Latin America Regional Games page >