Today, on International Day of Education, we share Special Olympics’ first annual letter on the Global State of Inclusion in Education.
Every year brave souls line up to take an icy plunge, the Polar Plunge!
Aaron Banda’s Story Demonstrates the Transformative Power of the Special Olympics Movement.
Research shows that when the term is used on social media, 7 in every 10 of those posts are negative, and 6 in 10 contain a slur.
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In every corner of the earth, Special Olympics is changing the lives of people with intellectual disabilities. These stories come from all around the world- CHEERS FOR CHAMPIONS!
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50 Game Changers
ESPN and Special Olympics have teamed up on a year-long storytelling initiative telling the stories of game changers and game changing moments toward inclusion. Check back each week for a new story of inclusion. - Pledge to Include
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Stories of Inclusion
Special Olympics and over 5 Million of our athletes are leading the charge for full inclusion of people with Intellectual Disabilities (ID). The movement is rooted in the spirit of our founder, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, who took a rebellious stand against the injustices faced by people with Intellectual Disabilities in 1968. Today, the fight for inclusion is more relevant than ever. People of all ages, races, genders, cultures, backgrounds, and abilities continue to face discrimination, ignorance, and disparagement. Just as Eunice Kennedy Shriver did 50 years ago, Special Olympics is setting a stake in the ground to create change and, this time, our athletes are leading the way.
Stay In Touch
See inspiring stories, photos and videos in our Special Olympics monthly newsletter.
From Unknown to Top of the Podium: Detroit’s Rising Champions
Just a few miles down the road from their Detroit homes, history was made for a group of students from the Drew Transition Center.2 Min Read
Special Olympics Tennis Player Lily Mills selected for Australian Open Persons with Intellectual Impairment Championships
Three-time Special Olympics (SO) World Games gold medalist, Lily Mills, has been selected as a wildcard for the Australian Open Persons with Intellectual Impairment Championships.2 Min Read
Rose Pleskow Holds a Meaningful Role with Special Olympics Partner Brightspot
When Pleskow is not swimming in the Potomac River alongside her mom or running on the track, she can be found within the walls of Brightspot—a software development company just outside the nation’s capital in Reston, Virginia.3 Min Read
Get Involved
Special Olympics offers many ways to take part. There are short-term and long-term volunteer opportunities, the option of playing Unified Sports and to become a Special Olympics athlete.
Make a Difference
Please donate and help us get one more athlete onto the playing field.
OUR ORGANIZATION
About Us
Through the power of sports, people with intellectual disabilities discover new strengths and abilities, skills and success. Our athletes inspire people in their communities and elsewhere to open their hearts to a wider world of human talents and potential.-
Mission
The mission of Special Olympics is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community. -
History
From a backyard summer camp for people with intellectual disabilities to a global movement, Special Olympics has been changing lives and attitudes since 1968. -
Eunice Kennedy Shriver
Eunice Kennedy Shriver, founder of Special Olympics, was a pioneer in the worldwide struggle for rights and acceptance for people with intellectual disabilities. -
Leadership Teams
Special Olympics is led by a senior management team with broad corporate and nonprofit experience. Seven regional offices around the world are headed up by managing directors who support the ongoing growth and development of programs in their regions. In addition, Special Olympics has a Global Athlete Leadership Council which features an Athlete Leader from each of the seven regions and provides feedback, guidance, and ideas to the Special Olympics International Board of Directors and Leadership Team. -
About Intellectual Disabilities
Children and adults with intellectual disabilities inspire us every day at Special Olympics events around the world. But what are intellectual disabilities?
Share your story of Inclusion
Our revolution starts with you. Upload your video, photos and story to add your voice to the unified generation.
#unifiedgeneration
Activating Together: Youth Leaders' Journey to Inclusive Change
Youth Leaders with and without intellectual disabilities at the 2023 Special Olympics Global Youth Leadership Summit in Berlin, Germany, united by a common goal of fostering inclusion and understanding, believed that actions spoke louder than words.2 Min Read
How to Speak With People With Intellectual Disabilities
A Resource for Healthcare Professionals, Parents, and Anyone Communicating With Our Athletes This video features Special Olympics Chairman Timothy Shriver and our athletes discussing why it’s so important to include people with intellectual disabilities in all areas of life—especially healthcare access.
Parenting a Child With an Intellectual Disability
In the seconds that it takes to say those words, the whole world has changed for your family. Often, the time immediately after the diagnosis is a tumultuous one.3 Min Read
Why Inclusion Is Important
Inclusion has been a popular topic of conversation lately, due to the national dialogue on racial injustice. While the consensus is that inclusion is essential to advancing social justice, there have been fewer discussions around why.3 Min Read-
Mission
Our Reach
3,053,015
ATHLETES
46,028
COMPETITIONS
672,114
VOLUNTEERS
330,898
COACHES
41,666
ATHLETE HEALTH SCREENINGS
18,350
Unified Schools
Featured Partners
Supporting Special Olympics throughout the world
