Special Olympics Research Studies
Special Olympics is the leader in cutting-edge research and evaluation to better understand the many challenges faced by people with intellectual disabilities and the significant impact of Special Olympics on their lives. Our independent research is also a driving force for realizing improved policies, laws and rights for people with intellectual disabilities around the world.
Current Research Opportunities
Special Olympics is pleased to offer grant opportunities for health professions and social science students and to issue requests for proposals to university faculty.
Research Policy Papers
Special Olympics' research policy papers distill the organization's scientific findings into shorter overviews of topics of particular interest to the movement. Designed for readers without scientific backgrounds, these papers often draw from multiple sources to explore a issue, rather than just summerize one research study.
The Scope of the Need
From the lack of quality health care to the negative misperceptions of people with intellectual disabilities by the public, Special Olympics research examines the numerous disparities confronting people with intellectual disabilities. By better understanding these needs, Special Olympics can determine the best ways to address them.
The Scope of Special Olympics
Special Olympics has a much broader reach than most people realize, with events around the globe and initiatives that branch out beyond sports into areas such as public health and education.
Impact of Special Olympics Programming
Special Olympics has established through large-scale objective studies that it is having a large and positive impact on the lives of people with intellectual disabilities, their families, and communities and society at large. Special Olympics has never been more relevant to families and society because it promotes attitude changes and encourages enlightenment as the standard in society instead of the exception.
Special Olympics programs
In addition to examining the status of people with intellectual disabilities, Special Olympics research also looks closely at its own initiatives in order to gauge their success and improve them.