Special Olympics and Partners Fund Global Sport Programs for People with Intellectual Disabilities

The useful part

Africa Asia Pacific East Asia Europe Eurasia Latin America Middle East North Africa North America Find It Fast Find job opportunities with Special Olympics. Special Olympics MENA and Morocco advance inclusive swimming through Motor Activity Training Program coach training. Special Olympics and its global grant partners continue to strengthen sport programming worldwide through strategic grantmaking.

How it works

• This expansion has also strengthened the quality of the annual census data collected, providing a more accurate picture of participation and enabling better planning, funding decisions, and resource...
• Niamh Mourton, Director of MATP Special Olympics Arkansas Motor Activity Training Program athlete working on their hand and finger dexterity through targeted exercises as part of MATP programming.
• It was a very informative and practical workshop where we covered different sports, including Bocce, Athletics, Powerlifting, Basketball, and Cycling.
• The sessions were very engaging, and the practical activities helped me understand better how to train athletes with intellectual disabilities.
• Special Olympics North America snowboarding programming taking place as a direct impact of grantmaking by Special Olympics grant partners.

What to take from it

These extend far beyond the field of play, improving access to health, education, social inclusion, and overall well-being. Many receive care for the first time and others receive care equal to those without disabilities for the first time in their lives. Federations bring expert knowledge and insight to Special Olympics national Programs that can be utilized and adapted to best serve athletes at all ability levels.

Example or evidence

• Their collaboration embodies the spirit of Unified Sports which is when athletes with and without ID compete together, extending inclusion far past the playing field and signifying changed mindsets.
• To serve the growth in athletes, the program needed more coaches—coaches with expert training.
• During the two courses, 31 coaches received training, 10 of which were women, taking away new insights and development strategies they did not have before.
• Now, these coaches have improved their confidence and attitudes toward players with ID while also improving the quality and safety of their training environments.

Details worth keeping

Your Program Based on your location, your local program is %location%. Your location could not be automatically determined. These grants provide funding needed to deploy educational experts, and to deliver logistical support and sport opportunities which help implement and sustain inclusive practices through sport in diverse communities across the world.

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