Sports Program Championships Global Messengers FAQ Local Offices Educators Inside SONV Fundraising Events Related Sites Sponsors		In a mainstream world, there are lessons in life and sport. Today, these are the facts of modern educational life: People with developmental disabilities attend schools where competitive sports are not available to them. Students of all kinds need opportunities to serve their communities and experience diversity. Special Olympics can help educators address both these needs. How you can help reach and teach Partnership Opportunities with Special Olympics Side-by-side on the field of life How You Can Help Reach and Teach Teachers can organize a volunteer day at a local Special Olympics event. Physical education teachers can organize a one-day clinic. Teachers and students can help create, manage and coach a Special Olympics team. Schools can organize a Special Olympics Unified Sports® team through which students with and without disabilities compete together. School public service clubs or athletic teams can volunteer to raise funds or help with local, state, national or international games. With more than a million athletes today and 170 million people who could benefit from this program, there are many creative ways for your school to get services and life lessons from Special Olympics. Please contact us for more information.
		Unified Sports: Side by side on the field of life Other than family members, few people grow closer than teammates. Somehow, that common pursuit against the odds, that shared moment of victory or defeat, brings even the most diverse people together. Special Olympics Unified Sports® assembles athletes of similar age and athletic ability with and without developmental disabilities who train and compete on the same teams. Throughout the year, in a variety of sports ranging from basketball to soccer and golf, unified athletes build their bodies, sharpen their skills, challenge the competition and have fun, too. It's a physical workout that builds friendship, character and leadership. Whatever your athletic ability, Unified Sports® gives you certified coaching, organized competition and great places to play. You don't have to assemble your own team, rent facilities or pay lots of money to work out. Unified Sports® is available both to individuals and groups. Many individuals sign on to meet new people and compete with folks at the same level of ability. Other times, Unified Sports® provides a great group activity. Among others, Unified Sports® programs have been beneficial to: Schools and universities Parks and Recreation departments Boys and Girls Clubs Community sports organizations Families With more than a million athletes in Special Olympics (and 100 million potential athletes worldwide), there's plenty of competition whether you want to sign on by yourself or with a group. Please contact us for more information. Partnership Opportunities with Special Olympics In an era of divisiveness and confusion, Special Olympics can help unite your students, promote understanding and build a sense of community. What's more, as an organization with a 30-year track record involving thousands of schools worldwide, Special Olympics is a community partner that understands educational needs. As a result, you'll find that Special Olympics programs support inclusion, team building and character development goals. They also blend easily with your current academic units and lesson plans, and your people will get plenty of convenient, school-based training before getting involved with the community. While you're facing lots of pressure to improve student achievement, character is equally important. With your time and resources strapped as they are, a Special Olympics partnership can help you add that extra dimension that sets your school and your students apart. Please contact us for more information. back to top