The Revolution Is Inclusion

Group of young adults huddling together with their arms around one another's shoulders.

Group of smiling Special Olympics athletes and friends

Let's Create A World That Celebrates All Abilities

We challenge expectations every day. We create community, build confidence, and help each other realize our full potential.
We're athletes, and a lot more. Join a community that recognizes everyone's unique ability.

Pledge Your Support

More than 50 years ago, Special Olympics launched a global movement to break down barriers and end discrimination against people with intellectual disabilities.

Since then, this peaceful revolution has been changing lives all around the world. Join "The Revolution Is Inclusion"—and be part of a powerful new generation that celebrates all differences, all abilities!

Sign the Inclusion Pledge now—then share with your friends, family, everyone!

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Inclusion In Action

How Does Inclusion Help?

Inclusion helps everyone--in so many ways. It helps stop bullying & brings people together. Join athletes around the world by taking the Inclusion Pledge!

What Inclusion Means to Me

Haseeb Abbasi of Pakistan says including people of all abilities simply makes the world a better place.

What Does Inclusion Mean?

Young people with intellectual disabilities know the pain of isolation. All they need is be treated equally—and they will shine.

Sport Unites

Every day, Special Olympics athletes prove how sport unifies. Join us in celebrating the inclusive power of sports!

Inclusion Works!

KEEPING A GREAT JOB—Work Lesson from Michel

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.

FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS—Work Lesson from Lily

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.

PROVING YOURSELF—Life Lesson from Youssef

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 and her mother at an outdoor event standing in the bleachers.

COPING WITH ADVERSITY—Life Lesson from Novie

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.

Role Model for Inclusion: Meet Steven

When COVID-19 hit, Steven was on the ‘front lines,’ making sure his community had everything they needed: taking on not just one job—but two (at a grocery AND at a retail superstore)! Read more about Steven's story.

"Inclusion Can Never Be a Bad Thing"

No one expected Deran’s inspirational role model to be someone with intellectual disabilities,especially Deran. See how he’s become a force for inclusion!

The Beginning of Hope

After seeing the impact of inclusion in their own lives, Catherine & Claude are ready to push for change in their homeland, Cameroon: “One day the world will be educated and accept people with disabilities… It will one day come.”

Let Us Shine

Champion athlete/snowboarder Daina’s powerful testimony inspires: why is inclusion not just important—but essential? You’ll see why she’s a Champion FOR Inclusion.

Healthcare for All

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!

Joyce’s Story

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.

SEE MORE VIDEOS ABOUT INCLUSION IN ACTION

Special Olympics: 50 Game Changers

ESPN and Special Olympics have teamed up on a year-long storytelling initiative telling the stories of game changing moments toward inclusion.

Dr. Perlman evaluating an athletes oral health. Healthy Athletes, Special Smiles

Dr. Steven Perlman

In the 1990s, Dr. Steve Perlman and Eunice Kennedy Shriver met to discuss the lack of access to health care for people with intellectual disabilities, who were often denied treatment.