The International Federation of Adapted Physical Activity (IFAPA) is a professional association of scholars, professionals, and higher education students in the field of adapted physical activity. A partnership agreement first began between the IFAPA and Special Olympics International (SOI) on 18 September 2010 that provided a deeper association between both organizations through collaboration on projects of mutual interest and benefit. This partnership was renewed in June 2025 to reflect the commitment between IFAPA members and SOI. The partnership aims to explore opportunities for collaboration including attending and/or co-presenting at each organization’s conferences/symposia (e.g., International Symposium of Adapted Physical Activity; Special Olympics Research and Evaluation Seminar Series), funding proposals, and /or involving members on committees or advisory boards. To learn more or ask a question, please email fitness@specialolympics.org.
Special Olympics – IFAPA Webinar #1: From Partnership to Practice
As Special Olympics and the International Federation of Adapted Physical Activity (IFAPA) begin our inclusive research partnership, we welcome you to join our new webinar series! This series will spotlight local opportunities for research collaboration across different programmatic areas including sport, health and fitness, and schools! Each session will highlight recent collaborations and new opportunities for researchers and Special Olympics Programs to connect for meaningful, inclusive partnerships that drive quality programming.
In this launch webinar, listen to voices from Special Olympics staff, IFAPA leadership, and Special Olympics Athlete Leader, Allen Tobin. Together, they will share powerful insights on collaborative approaches to building research partnerships that advance inclusion worldwide. This session will set the stage for the upcoming webinar series and introduce the Special Olympics and IFAPA collaborative efforts.