Inclusion in Action
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.
In October, we’ll be sharing video and written stories about athlete leaders on our website and social media, including short videos showcasing “Life Lessons” (plus “Sports Lessons” and “Work Lessons”) and unexpected insights from people with intellectual disabilities, proving how we can all grow and learn together.
Check back every week 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.
In October, we’ll be sharing video and written stories about athlete leaders on our website and social media, including short videos showcasing “Life Lessons” (plus “Sports Lessons” and “Work Lessons”) and unexpected insights from people with intellectual disabilities, proving how we can all grow and learn together.
Check back every week for new videos and stories.
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.
People with intellectual disabilities die 16 years earlier on average than those without. Together, we can change this by achieving #InclusiveHealth. Sign your name & join our fight for healthcare inclusion.
People with intellectual disabilities are among the most medically underserved in the world today. Their exclusion from mainstream health systems is creating serious health disparities. Join Special Olympics in achieving inclusive health for all!
Inclusion in Action
PARTNERS
Proud Partner of Special Olympics
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 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:
Young people around the world are teaming up and raising their voices for a more inclusive world. Take the Inclusion Pledge. Why? Because we are better together!
Special Olympics Founder Eunice Kennedy Shriver said it best, "Come to our world—where we are free: Free to choose our friends...for we are the peacemakers." Join this peaceful revolution. Sign the Inclusion Pledge!
It's time to end discrimination of people with intellectual disabilities! Sign the Inclusion Pledge—and join celebrities and Special Olympics athletes and teammates who believe in its unifying power.
"There's just something about unified..." Unified Sports is just one way we are bringing our communities together, but it can't end there! Sign the Inclusion Pledge and be part of this joyful revolution!
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:
