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.
We're athletes, and a lot more. Join a community that recognizes everyone's unique ability.
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.
""

Make a Difference

Please donate and help us get one more athlete onto the playing field.
Donation Amount
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.

Special Olympics World Winter Games 2025 in Turin

The global organisation which provides sports competitions as an outlet for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, celebrates Turin 2025.

2025 Special Olympics World Winter Games: The Allianz Stadium hosts the torch!

Special Olympics World Winter Games begins in Turin and Piedmont on Saturday, 8 March.

Local snowboarder to compete in Special Olympics World Games

Chris Furches on his way to Turin, Italy to compete in the Special Olympic World Games Turin!

ISP Sgt. to be a 'Guardian of the Flame of Hope' in Special Olympics World Games

Sgt. Jason Cagle will carry the Olympic torch during the opening ceremony on March 8. Video

Saco school to expand Unified Sports after winning a grant from Special Olympics Maine

The grant will be used to send a team to Spring Games and launch Unified Basketball and Unified Bocce programs. Video

Emirati athletes to make history at Special Olympics World Winter Games

The UAE will send 11 athletes to compete in snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, Alpine skiing, snowboarding, figure skating to short-track. Video

Special Olympics Skier Receives Neighborhood Support

When skier Nick Mills heads to the Special Olympics World Winter Games in Turin, Italy next month, he’ll have plenty of support behind him. Video

Charlotte skater to Represent North Carolina in Special Olympics

The North Carolina figure skating community is coming together again to rally behind one of their own who will take part in the Special Olympics World Winter Games, as a member of Team USA.

Chathams Princess Takes the Plunge for Special Olympics

Diagnosed with Level 1 Autism and suffering from severe misophonia, Princess faces daily challenges that most people never experience.

Bringing everyone together with the Special Olympics Unified Sports Program

Inclusivity, connection and community, those are some of the pillars that Special Olympics Oregon is built. Video

Buffalo Bills participate in NFL’s My Cause My Cleats 2024

Players have the opportunity to pick a cause that is important to them and represent their chosen organization on custom designed cleats.

GDL: How Unified Sports Trains Athletes for Special Olympics Kentucky

Paring athletes with and withouth intellectual disabilities.

Spread the Word day is coming!

A movement called “Spread the Word” is aiming to counter derogatory language and bullying and to support inclusive actions.

50: The Return of the Slur

Zayed University will host the Special Olympics Global Centre for Inclusion in Education Summit tomorrow at its campus in Abu Dhabi.
FromWTOP

‘It has a harmful effect’: The one word these DC-area teens hope never gets said again

“We care a lot about ending the use of the ‘R-word,’ which we feel is really harmful to people with learning disabilities.”

Special Olympics VT delegates to advocate for inclusion and funding on Capitol Hill

Converging on Capitol Hill from Feb 3-5 for the annual Special Olympics “Capitol Hill Day.”

Special Olympics athletes shoot hoops with former Bucks player Fred Roberts

The Milwaukee Bucks and Gruber Law Offices brought together 60 Special Olympics athletes.

Creekside Students Take Part in Special Olympics Youth Leadership Summit

Students from Creekside School in Fairport showed off their leadership skills on Friday, participating in the Special Olympics Youth Leadership Summit at Nazareth University.

NFL PLAY 60 Super Kids announced for Super Bowl LIX and the 2025 Pro Bowl Games

Tyler Boyd from Florida will assume the role for the 2025 Pro Bowl Games in Orlando on Feb. 2, 2025. Video

'Inspiring' athlete trains for Guinness records

A Yorkshire-based athlete is training for two Guinness World Record titles in endurance events that take place later this year.