Inclusion Works
Every day, Special Olympics is building an inclusive world—a world that celebrates ALL abilities.
This fall, Special Olympics is celebrating how inclusion makes everybody’s life better. By highlighting how “Inclusion Works!,” we are proving how much more welcoming and meaningful our world can be when we are ALL included.
We’ll be sharing video and written stories about athlete leaders on our website and social media, including mini-videos on the theme of "Challenging Expectations," showcasing how our athletes grow up with low expectations, but overcome those to be successful in life, work, everywhere! Check back for new videos and stories.
This fall, Special Olympics is celebrating how inclusion makes everybody’s life better. By highlighting how “Inclusion Works!,” we are proving how much more welcoming and meaningful our world can be when we are ALL included.
We’ll be sharing video and written stories about athlete leaders on our website and social media, including mini-videos on the theme of "Challenging Expectations," showcasing how our athletes grow up with low expectations, but overcome those to be successful in life, work, everywhere! Check back for new videos and stories.
On the field, Michael is an accomplished Special Olympics athlete in several sports. Off it, he has been a valued Walmart employee for 21 years! His success is more proof that Inclusion Works! #ChooseToInclude and sign the Inclusion Pledge @WeChallengeYou.org.
For Special Olympics Nigeria athlete Stanley, leadership can motivate people with, and without, intellectual disabilities to play and work together—because Inclusion Works! Join our #InclusionRevolution—sign the Pledge!
From a young age, feeling included has helped Special Olympics athletes like Fahsai gain confidence, skills & better health through sports. They are demonstrating how we can all achieve more when we are ALL included. #ChooseToInclude and sign the Inclusion Pledge @WeChallengeYou.org.
Special Olympics United Arab Emirates has been showing everyone how sports brings people together—with and without intellectual disabilities. Join them in building an inclusive world where people of all abilities can shine! Sign the Pledge @WeChallengeYou.org/pledge.
"I want to be the voice for people with intellectual disabilities." Through sports and training, Special Olympics athlete leader Louie is redefining expectations for people with intellectual disabilities in The Gambia. Join him in building an inclusive world where people of all abilities can shine! Sign the Pledge @WeChallengeYou.org/pledge.
Special Olympics Great Britain athlete Kiera on using her platform as a leader and role model to show the world how well Inclusion Works! Join our #InclusionRevolution—sign the Pledge!
Special Olympics Bharat youth leaders and talented rappers Mohammad and Shivam with their take on inclusive leadership! Get in the groove & #ChooseToInclude—by signing the Inclusion Pledge @WeChallengeYou.org.
Be a Champion of Inclusion
Why does inclusion matter? For young people with intellectual disabilities like Mackenzie, it's the chance to gain confidence and be accepted, often for the very first time. She says it’s easy to be a Champion of Inclusion: “Just talk” to each other—and sign the Inclusion Pledge! #CelebratingChampions
Inclusion is a game-changer for parents of toddlers with intellectual disabilities like Jorel, who only hear what their child canNOT do. The inclusive Special Olympics Young Athletes program focuses on all they CAN do, which is A LOT! Join our joyful #InclusionRevolution—please sign the pledge.
When people with—and without—intellectual disabilities play & learn together, this builds understanding and friendships, all around the globe. Join us as we create a better, more hopeful world! Sign the Inclusion Pledge! #CelebratingChampions
Inclusion changes everything for people with intellectual disabilities like Hanako, who fights negative stereotypes every day. Her vision: a world where “there are no differences”—and people of all abilities work together. Be a Champion of Inclusion like Hanako & sign the Inclusion Pledge: #CelebratingChampions
Inclusive Health in Action!
When Joyce had trouble walking, her parents were given the following advice to straighten her bones: dig a hole in the ground, put Joyce in it, pack it with soil. Joyce stood in the hole, week after week. Education and awareness are vital in ending health disparities children like Joyce face. Sign our pledge today! JoinTheRevolution.org/pledge!
People with intellectual disabilities are dying at higher rates during COVID-19. Now, more than ever, healthcare providers need to make their practices more inclusive. See the person, not the disability. Sign the pledge! JoinTheRevolution.org/pledge!
Hear from Karen, who sees the urgent need for acceptance and inclusion: for her daughter—and for every child with intellectual disability. Join the Revolution for Healthcare Inclusion and sign our pledge today! JoinTheRevolution.org/pledge!
When Fahsai Saejang was born, her diagnosis—Down Syndrome and a hole in her heart—came as a shock. Inclusive health and fitness changed everything for this young athlete! Join the Revolution for Healthcare Inclusion: JoinTheRevolution.org/pledge.
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Inclusive health is not an option, it’s a must! Special Olympics Chief Health Officer, Dr. Alicia Bazzano, says it best “We are out to ERASE health disparities.” Join the Revolution for Healthcare Inclusion and sign our pledge today!
People with intellectual disabilities are dying on average 16 – 20 years sooner than the general population—due to preventable health conditions. See the person, not the disability. Join the Revolution for Healthcare Inclusion: JoinTheRevolution.org/pledge.
Inclusion Works
Filmer Tan had many health challenges growing up, but they only motivated him to succeed. Now he’s motivating us all! #ChooseToInclude athletes like Filmer. Sign the pledge @WeChallengeYou.org/pledge.
Abdou grew up in a community with strong stigma around children born with intellectual disabilities. Now, he’s known as hard-worker and an accomplished role model—proving that Inclusion Works! #ChooseToInclude! Sign the Inclusion Pledge @WeChallengeYou.org.
Brina faced many obstacles in early life, but she never gave up on her dream of being included. Today, she is a teacher, public speaker, and role model to all! #ChooseToInclude talented athletes like Brina. Sign the pledge @ WeChallengeYou.org/pledge.
Inclusion In Action
#InclusiveHealth in Action!
People with intellectual disabilities are dying on average 16 years sooner than the general population—due to preventable health conditions. Don’t leave people with ID behind during this critical time: Join the Revolution for Healthcare Inclusion: JoinTheRevolution.org/pledge.
As we move forward, we need to know you’re with us. Be a revolutionary and help end discrimination against people with Intellectual Disabilities.
INCLUSION WORKS!
Andrew is a Special Olympics athlete and marathon runner, who’s become a coach. He’s worked hard to stay in great shape—and won’t let a pandemic lockdown get in the way of his training. See how he’s training other athletes, like Marcelo, to learn stamina and endurance, despite the quarantine and other restrictions.
Kiera is an unstoppable Special Olympics athlete, World Games medalist, and athlete leader from northwest England. Yet COVID-19 did stop her trainings and competitions, plus kept her away from her friends and fellow athletes. Isolation can be tough, but Kiera knew it wasn’t just tough on her. She encourages her athlete friends—and everyone else—to stay fit, despite the lockdown!
Michel needed a job to support his mother and siblings. He had some skills, but needed to learn a lot more to become a versatile auto mechanic. He also needed to adapt to working and communicating with a variety of people. The discipline he learned through team sports also helped. Thanks to his hard work, Michel is now a valued employee, as this brief glimpse shows.
From the very start, Lily had big dreams—and determination! She’s a trail-blazing young talent, who also happens to have Down syndrome. Still in her teens, she’s become a popular model & actress, most recently appearing on the Netflix series, “Never Have I Ever.” Here, she shares some tips for anyone else determined to follow their dreams.
Youssef saw his friends beaten and bullied, then he was beaten and bullied—all because they have intellectual disabilities. Instead of giving up, he became determined to show the world that people with ID can do anything ”if only we are given the chance.” In his own words, he inspires us to grab every opportunity to succeed, because “we are ALL able.”
Novie had a rough start, abandoned at birth in an inner-city hospital. Then Kelly stopped by her crib—and adopted Novie soon after. They’ve been together ever since! When Kelly fell seriously ill last year, landing her in the ICU before Christmas, Novie didn’t know how to cope. Here, she shares how she handled the crisis.
Be a Champion of Inclusion
Inclusive Health
Over 80% of healthcare providers are not professionally trained to treat people with intellectual disabilities (ID). Yet, people with ID are more vulnerable to the effects of COVID-19. Learn More!
In Africa and elsewhere, Special Olympics conducts crucial outreach to help spread understanding about people with intellectual disabilities. This overcomes harsh stigma and brings new awareness among caregivers and others working with this vulnerable population. Here's just a glimpse into how this has brought new hope to Joyce, a young girl in Uganda.
INCLUSION IN ACTION
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INCLUSION IN ACTION
By playing, learning and leading together, we are creating an inclusive and welcoming world for all.
Special Olympics athletes are leading this peaceful revolution. See their stories and heartfelt insights from schools to playing fields across the globe:
Special Olympics athletes are leading this peaceful revolution. See their stories and heartfelt insights from schools to playing fields across the globe:
Champions in Action
In 2019, Special Olympics held the largest, most inclusive World Games in our history. With nearly 7,000 athletes from 200 nations, the World Games in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates were also our most unified and diverse. Meet just a few of those athletes—from all seven regions of the world—and see their incredible stories:
