UNIFIED SPORTS
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Our vision is for Unified Sports to be recognized globally as an iconic program that promotes and creates social inclusion between individuals with and without intellectual disabilities through sport. It was inspired by a simple principle: playing together is a quick path to friendship and understanding.
Special Olympics Unified Sports creates unique teammate bonds through sports experiences, just like any other team, and the participants compete in Special Olympics competitions. More than half a million people worldwide take part in Unified Sports, breaking down stereotypes about people with intellectual disabilities in a fun way. Our opponent is intolerance. As long as we come together on the field of play, we can defeat it. |
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A UNIFIED SPORT ATHLETE is an individual with intellectual disabilities receiving Special Education services, verified by the site administrator, but also a student who previously, based on their special needs, has not had competitive opportunities to participate in a selected sport. A Unified Sports Athlete works with a Unified Partner to learn the skills of the selected sport. The emphasis is the providing of opportunities, not ultimately how well the unified participants fair in league or section competition.
A UNIFIED PEER PARTNER is a general education student attending the same school as a Unified Sport Athlete, not receiving Special Education services. Peer partners are dedicated to the teaching the skills of the sport as well as committed to the social interaction with the special needs student. It is expected that Unified Athletes and Peer Partners practice and compete together consistently throughout the entire regular and post-season. However, in a virtual environment, a Unified Partner can be anyone from your siblings to your parent or guardian. |
GET INVOLVED
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ATHLETE
Unified Sports leads to new friendships, improved self-esteem and positive changes in attitude, behavior and performance for all involved.
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PARTNER
Be part of the movement and help support the growth of Unified Sports, joining the likes of ESPN, the NFL and other high-profile partners as we raise public awareness and funds.
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START A TEAM
The best places to start to recruit are General Physical Education, Special Education or Adapted Physical Education students. Students who participate in clubs like Leadership or other inclusion-based clubs are another great starting point.
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WHY IT MATTERS
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200 million people with intellectual disabilities are denied social inclusion in society.
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Special Olympics helps pave the way for community-wide inclusion.
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Offers a positive foundation for activity between special education and general education students in schools.
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Attracts high-profile partners, like ESPN, to raise awareness.
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As Rashaan went through grade school, he figured out that his love of basketball would help him find common ground with other students after enduring many hardships including family loss and bullying. Going off to college at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Rashaan knew that if he stayed involved with basketball, he would be able to navigate this new stage of life. Through campus recreation, Rashaan joined Unified Sports Intramurals as a partner. Through building friendships on and off the court, Special Olympics Unified Sports® has become a defining part of Rashaan’s college experience.
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TYPES OF UNIFIED SPORTS
The Young Athletes Program introduces children with and without intellectual disabilities ages 2–7 (Pre-K to 2nd grade) to the world of sports through fun activities that support cognitive, social, and motor skill development (walking on a floor-level balance beam, jumping on targets),as well as encourage the development of age appropriate sports skills. |
Unified leagues consist of multiple schools (mainly based in secondary), which compete against one another in a chosen Unified Sport, such as soccer, basketball, and track & field. Unified leagues vary in sizes, competition level, and duration of schedule. One thing they do have in common is their pursuit of an athletically and socially inclusive campus community. |
This is an opportunity for students of varying ability levels and backgrounds to come together on equal terms through fitness, sports, leadership and wellness. Focus is on the physical, intellectual and social growth of all participants. Engaging in physical activity and sport alongside peers with and without ID helps to foster social relationships. |
