Group of young adults huddling together with their arms around one another's shoulders. Group of smiling Special Olympics athletes and friends
We challenge expectations every day. We create community, build confidence, and help each other realize our full potential.
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The Revolution Is Inclusion logo

More than 50 years ago, Special Olympics launched a global sports 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!

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.”

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.
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. 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.

Ben and Nell

Nell Coonen-Korte had no idea her passion for sport would inspire the creation of a global inclusive fitness model.
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Inclusion in Action
Revolutions are made up of real people. Learn how these people have made inclusion more than just a word, but a rule they live by.

Ponaganset Students Create “The Inclusion Pledge”

Improving school culture with the power of inclusion.
1 Min Read

Generation Unified

Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools looks to create more socially inclusive school environments around the country.
1 Min Read

About Intellectual Disabilities

Children and adults with intellectual disabilities inspire us every day at events around the world. But what are intellectual disabilities?
Inclusion around the World
From kids to communities, see inspirational examples of how inclusion is taking root, and leading to real change, both at home and around the world.

London Special Olympian wins North American Gold Medal

Special Olympian Chris Lauzon of London, Ont. won gold at the North American Special Olympics golf tournament in Wichita, Kansas on Nov. 3, 2024.

Special Olympian Athlete has Helped Kellogg CC Cross Country Team Reach Nationals

KCC freshman Julian Borst has set school record in cross country as men's, women's squads won regional championships

Project ALL STAR

UW-La Crosse welcomed Special Olympics athletes to campus as part of a new, nationally-funded initiative focused on understanding how Special Olympics programs improve athletes' lives.

Special Olympics Volunteer Coach Lisa Balus marks 25 years of volunteering

Coach Lisa Balus is marking 25 years of volunteering with the local chapter of the Special Olympics New York. Watch the Video

Resurgence Of ‘R-Word’ Alarms Disability Advocates

For a decade, disability advocates led a concerted effort to stomp out use of the word “retard.” Now they’re concerned that the language appears to be making a comeback.

The resurgence of the r-word

Disability advocates spent a decade campaigning against the slur. Now it’s coming back.

Why are people using the R-word again?

People on X are posting the slur with abandon.

Special Olympics Uses Sport to Promote Inclusive Education

In line with the 2024 theme of 'Sport for the Promotion of Peaceful and Inclusive Societies,' Special Olympics promotes inclusivity.

Spread the Word Inclusion Campaign Kicked Off

The global campaign promotes inclusion for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It encourages schools, organizations and communities to pledge their support.

Former Washington Commanders Legends Host Clinic for Special Olympics Athletes

It was the first-ever Play it Forward clinic at Northwest Stadium.

Indianapolis Skier Selected for Special World Winter Games 2025

Tommy Sliva, 33, will compete in Alpine skiing at the Special Olympics World Winter Games 2025, held in Turin, Italy, from March 8 – 15.

2 Westmoreland schools recognized by Special Olympics for inclusive programming

Two Westmoreland County schools were recognized by the Special Olympics for offering inclusive programming for students of all abilities.

Why are people using the R-word again?

Once pushed to the margins of acceptable language thanks to campaigns like "Spread the Word to End the Word," the R-word all but disappeared from common use by the early 2010s.

Special Olympics Ambassador has Unique Story to Tell

At age 26, Amanda Harrinauth was properly diagnosed with autism. She turns 35 in November.

State Unified Sports and Inclusion Center Expands

MiABLE proudly partnered with Special Olympics Michigan (SOMI) on Thursday to celebrate the expansion of SOMI’s Unified Sports and Inclusion Center in Byron Center.

West Fargo High School receives national Special Olympics recognition

Special Olympics is awarding the school with national banner recognition for providing inclusive sports/activities for learners w/wo intellectual disabilities.

Matt Finkel goes ‘Over the Edge' for Special Olympics Connecticut

Matt was joined by Special Olympics Global Messenger Matt Glad, who was making his 14th rappel. This is the third year the two have gone down Mohegan Sun side by side.

Two local athletes to compete at Special Olympics World Winter Games

Allison Schell, of Frankfort, and Bekah Henderson, of Topeka, will compete in the World Winter Games Turin 2025.

Jonesborough native to represent Special Olympics USA in 2025

Chris Furches of Jonesborough of Tennessee is set to represent North America at the Special Olympics World Winter Games Turin 2025.

3 Alaskans selected to represent Team USA at 2025 Special Olympics Winter World Games

Sulynnette Vega-Ledesma, Tanana Valley’s Teagan Lockwood and Mat-Su’s Nathaniel Hunt who will be competing in Alpine skiing.