Explore Opportunities. Vermont

Transcription

1 Explore Opportunities Vermont 1

2 WE are Special Olympics Worldwide Movement 170 Countries 270,000 Coaches 805,000 Volunteers 3,750,000 Athletes 49,778 competitions ~ 136 per day

3 Mission The mission of Special Olympics is to provide yearround sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills, and friendship with their families other Special Olympics athletes and the community.

4 Statement of Purpose Farmer s Market Speech Special Olympics Vermont is part of a global movement that works year round to foster acceptance and inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities by using the power of sport to showcase their gifts and abilities. 4 / Special Olympics Vermont

5 Unique from Other Sports Organizations Sports opportunities for all ability levels Division for equitable competition Awards for all participants Random draw for advancement to higher levels of competition (National/World Games) No fees charged to athletes or family members 5 / Special Olympics Vermont

6 Statement of Eligibility Persons with intellectual disability or a closely related developmental disability (Identified by agency or professional) Aged 8 years or older 2-7 Young Athletes Program (YAP) Registered with Special Olympics to participate 6 / Special Olympics Vermont

7 What is an intellectual disability? Intellectual function level Significant limitations exist in two or more adaptive skill areas (skills needed in daily living) Communication self care health & safety Condition manifests itself before the age of 18 7

8 Defining our Brand More than an event a Movement It s one thing to change a life. Imagine changing a mindset. We re not leading a program; we re leading a movement some say a civil rights movement of the heart powered by sport. Timothy Shriver - opening address to the 2010 Global Congress

9 Organization Vermont 9

10 Organizational Structure Local Local Athletes & Coaches Area/County Local/School Programs National Canada 52 United States Programs SOVT Caribbean Regional East Asia/ China Africa Asia- Pacific Europe- Eurasia North America SONA Latin America Middle East- North Africa Global Special Olympics, Inc. Headquarters, Washington, DC SOI Special Olympics, Inc. Board of Directors

11 Volunteers Partners Club Member Fund-raising Games Mgmt Team (Area/County & State) Coaching School/Agency Coordinator Training Public Relations Unified Sports Partner Management Team (Area/County & State) Officiating Event Volunteer State Board Member Chaperoning Medical Support Recruiting Athletes, Families & Volunteers Office Support Special Olympics is the LARGEST Volunteer Driven Organization In The WORLD

12 Families Families are an important part to the success of Special Olympics Programming. Family members have the opportunity to serve in many capacities including: o Volunteers o Coaches o Fundraisers o Fans in the Stands o Program Support Special Olympics Vermont also works to provide resources to families including: o Pre-event communication o Suggestions for event accommodations o Local community resources and connections 12 / Special Olympics Program Name

13 Program Infrastructure Local Programs Traditional and Unified Sports Total: 23 community based School Unified Programs Elementary through high school SO College Total: 48 statewide SO Colleges Champlain College Johnson State College Lyndon State College Middlebury St Michael s College University of Vermont 13 / Special Olympics Vermont

14 Special Olympics Vermont History Established February, State Track & Field Games; more than100 athletes 1981 International Winter Games Smugglers Notch 1990 First School Unified Sports program; 3 schools More than 935 athletes & 450 partners More than 1700 registered athletes eligible to compete 60 programs More than 1500 volunteers annually 14 / Special Olympics Vermont

15 Sports and Competition Vermont 15

16 Sports and Competitions Special Olympics Vermont provides 13 competitions for 1060 athletes in 12 sports Highest % of Participation Bowling and Basketball (41%) Bocce (29%) Soccer (25%) 16

17 Sports Rules Based on international and national governing body rules Contains few modifications Provide sports and events for all ability levels Govern all Special Olympics competitions 17 / Special Olympics Vermont

18 Divisioning Provides all competitors a chance to excel No more than 8 athletes or teams per division, no less than 3 Grouped by age and gender (ideally) Further separated by ability For individual competition 15% guideline and preliminaries For team competition Skills assessment test and classification rounds of competition 18 / Special Olympics Vermont

19 Criteria for Athlete Advancement Process: Training requirement: 10 hours over 8 weeks prior to culminating competition Previous competition: Same sport Quota driven Random draw by event: All first place finishers If quota not filled, 2nd place finishers Other considerations: Athlete not barred, due to prior competition experience at higher level of competition Additional criteria from Program, approved by appropriate governing body 19 / Special Olympics Vermont

20 Proven Benefits Improved strength, stamina & motor skills Improved self-esteem & selfconfidence Healthy, skill-dependable employees Greater independent participation in community 20 / Special Olympics Vermont

21 Coaches Coaches are some of the most important people in our program We currently have 168 coaches across the state of Vermont We sent a delegation of 50, athletes and coaches to the 2014 USA Games in Princeton, NJ. In 2015, 2 athletes will represent Vermont as part of Team USA at the World Games in Los Angeles 21 / Special Olympics Program Name

22 Sports Offered in Vermont (12) * School Unified Sports Alpine Skiing Aquatics Cross-Country Skiing Golf * Athletics Snowboarding * Basketball * Snowshoeing * Bocce * Soccer * Bowling Softball 22 / Special Olympics Vermont

23 Date Place Location Competition January/February Dartmouth Skiway - Lyme, NH Upper Valley Regional Winter Games January/February Twin City Lanes / Champlain Lanes Berlin / South Burlington Team Bowling March Suicide Six Woodstock School Unified Snowshoeing March Suicide Six / Woodstock Inn and Resort Woodstock Winter Games March Norwich University Northfield Annual Basketball Invitational April University of Vermont Burlington Spring Sports Basketball May Castleton State College Castleton School Unified Basketball May/June Collins Perley Sports Complex St. Albans School Unified Bocce June University of Vermont Burlington Summer Games August Equinox Golf Course Manchester Golf Tournament October Norwich University Northfield Soccer Tournament October Twin City / Champlain Lanes Berlin / South Burlington Individual Bowling October West Rutland School West Rutland School Unified Soccer December Twin City Lanes / Bowlerama 23 / Special Olympics Vermont Berlin / Rutland School Unified Bowling

24 Athlete-Centered Programs Healthy Athletes Project UNIFY Young Athletes ALP s Families Vermont 24

25 Healthy Athletes Program The Healthy Athletes Program is dedicated to providing health services and education to Special Olympics athletes, and changing the way health systems interact with people with intellectual disabilities. Through free one-day screenings, athletes are able to be screened for medical conditions while simultaneously, licensed professionals, students and volunteers learn first-hand how to care for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Areas of screening include: o Fun Fitness Physical Therapy o Special Smiles Dentistry o Healthy Hearing Audiology o Health Promotion o Offers health information and advice in the areas of nutrition, sun safety, bone density, tobacco cessation and physical fitness (Not yet offered in Vermont) o Opening Eyes Optometry o MedFest Athlete Physicals o Fitfeet Podiatry 25 / Special Olympics Vermont

26 Young Athletes Program The Young Athletes Program or YAP engages children (ages 2-7) with intellectual disabilities through developmentally appropriate play activities. YAPs focus on social, cognitive, and physical development and serve as a feeder program for Special Olympics Unified and Local programs. 26 / Special Olympics Vermont

27 Project UNIFY More than Unified Sports Youth centered initiatives to promote inclusion throughout schools Get into it Service Learning Curriculum Developed with the DOE and endorsed by IDEAs that Work Youth leadership Youth Activation Committees, rallies and Summits R-Word Campaigns Fans in the Stands Partners Clubs 27 / Special Olympics Vermont

28 Athlete Leadership Program The Athlete Leadership Program or ALPs, provides training and support for athletes who desire to expand their participation in Special Olympics both on and off the competition field. Through ALPs, athletes receive training and have opportunities to hold positions of leadership and influence. Global Messenger (athletes as self advocates) Athlete as Volunteers Governance (athletes as board members) Healthy Lifestyles (athletes as peer wellness coaches) Technology (athletes learning addt l skills) Athletes as Fundraisers Athletes as Coaches & Officials 28 / Special Olympics Program Name

29 Fundraising Vermont 29

30 Penguin Plunge The Penguin Plunge is an annual wintertime fundraising and awareness event. Special Olympics enthusiasts of all ages fundraise to jump into Vermont s icy lakes, demonstrating that they have 32 degrees of courage. Each year, this event series raises a significant portion of SOVT's operating budget which allows us to provide high quality sports training and competition in 12 Olympic-type sports for nearly 1,000 athletes around the state. Please join us! 2016 Penguin Plunge dates: North Bennington: TBD Newport: TBD Burlington: February 6 30 / Special Olympics Program Name

31 LETR An International Partnership The Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) for Special Olympics is the largest grass-roots fundraiser and public awareness vehicle for Special Olympics world-wide. Since its inception in 1981, the LETR has grown extensively with more than 142,000 volunteers spanning 48 countries, and raising more than $414 million for the Special Olympics movement. 31 / Special Olympics Program Name

32 LETR in Vermont Activities are managed in partnership with the State LETR Executive Council and SOVT staff. The state is divided into 5 regions, each guided by a Chief or Sheriff Regional Director and supported by representatives from several departments within the jurisdiction. Vermont Law Enforcement Torch Run events & activities Opening Ceremonies and the lighting of the Cauldron at games Draping of medals at State and Regional competitions year-round Support of Penguin Plunge events State Tour public awareness meetings across the state Tip-A-Cop fundraisers Torch Run T-shirt sales Guardians of the Flame Torch Run relays to Summer Games Cop on Top local awareness and fundraising event Fueling Dreams / To Serve & Protect Day with National Partners Regional Dream Ride fundraising event Countless hours of volunteering, mentoring and supporting SOVT! 32 / Special Olympics Program Name

33 Thank you. Vermont 33

34 Erin Fernandez, Executive Director

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36 Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports is a nationally recognized organization that empowers people of all abilities through inclusive sports and recreational programming regardless of ability to pay. In addition to sports, year round programming options integrate environmental, holistic wellness, and competitive training philosophies for people of all ages with cognitive, developmental, physical and emotional behavioral disabilities.

37 Mission Vermont Adaptive Ski & Sports is committed to empowering individuals with disabilities. We promote independence and further equality through access and instruction to sports and recreational activities. Our Vision We believe sports and recreation provide a physical, mental and social experience that is immeasurable in promoting self-confidence and independence in an individual. To that end, we extend an enormous thanks to our affiliates, sponsors and partners who believe in our mission and vision, and who afford us the opportunity to bring sports and recreation to our clients' lives.

38 Who We Serve All Ages. All Abilities. We work with people who have a variety of different disabilities including: Deaf & Hard of Hearing Multiple Sclerosis Blind & Visually Impaired Stroke Developmental Disabilities Amputations & Limb Differences Traumatic Brain Injuries Emotional/Behavioral Disabilities Spina Bifida Quadriplegia Physical Disabilities Veterans Cerebral Palsy Paraplegia Autism/Spectrum Muscle Weakness

39 Daily, Year-Round Programs Throughout Vermont Alpine Skiing Cross Country Skiing Snowboarding Snowshoeing Canoeing & Kayaking Sailing Adventure Weekends Cycling Specialty Events EcoAble Adventures School Outreach Guided Bike Path Trips Indoor Rock Climbing Hiking Camping Beeper Baseball Tennis Horseback Riding Presentations at Conferences and in Classrooms Custom sports as requested by the participant

40 Volunteers and Training Vermont Adaptive has over 400 volunteers statewide. Our professionally trained volunteers teach all of the adaptive sports lessons. Volunteers receive benefits in the form of recreational opportunities and training throughout the year. Vermont Adaptive hosts in house trainings as well as brings in professional associations such as the Professional Ski Instructors of America, American Canoe Association, and Wilderness Medical Institute.

41 Recreation For All - Outreach One of our main goals is to spread awareness and promote inclusive recreation within the educational system. We have a lot to offer on the various topics of DIVERSITY, EQUALITY, PHYSICAL FITNESS, INCLUSION, and even dispelling stereotypes. Our highly trained staff works with students in classrooms to promote disability awareness and inclusion, as well as to work with physical educators and their classes to provide adaptive sports instruction and equipment demonstration for youth. Our volunteer and athlete base includes children and adults, so we are able to teach and present to a variety of ages in many different settings, whether it s an elementary school classroom, a high school physical education class or at conferences and events. We reach out constantly and consistently to as many groups and educational institutions as possible in an effort for people to see how they can do everyday activities including sports and recreation together and on an equal level. Vermont Adaptive staff is available to present our disability awareness program at any school (in the classroom, special assembly or in-service), higher educational learning institution, conference, or workshop. We also can offer a Paralympic Sport School Day.

42 Example Program Locations Chittenden County- Burlington- Lake Champlain, Bolton Valley Ski Area, Burlington Waterfront Bike Path Rutland County- Castleton Rail Trail, Pico Mountain, Chittenden Reservoir Washington County- Waterbury, Wrightsville Reservoir, Sugarbush Resort Springfield, Stoughton Pond, Bike Path Etc VT State Parks, Golf Courses

43 Events VERMONT SPORTS MEDICINE CENTER 5K WALK/RUN TO BENEFIT VERMONT ADAPTIVE April 25, 2015 THE FIFTH ANNUAL LONG TRAIL CENTURY RIDE TO BENEFIT VERMONT ADAPTIVE June 27, 2015 THE VERMONT 100-MILE ENDURANCE RUN OR RIDE July 18-19, 2015 BOLTON VALLEY 5K TO BENEFIT VERMONT ADAPTIVE Aug. 22, 2015 THE VERMONT 50 MOUNTAIN BIKE & ENDURANCE RUN Sept. 27, 2015 ALLEN CLARK HILL CLIMB Oct. 4, 2015

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47 Find us online We re here to help. If you have a question give us a call; Sign up for our e-news We re on Facebook We re on Twitter We re on Instagram

48 Celebrating Opportunities The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) turns 25 on July 26, To mark this significant milestone, we ve collected some of the many ways people of all abilities can enjoy Vermont s outdoor recreation and breathtaking beauty. Check out this link:

49 Just the Facts Vermont Adaptive was founded in 1987 We provide over 3000 sports outings annually Over 400 active, dedicated volunteers donate nearly 20,000 hours of their time annually- who are trained Great resources and fleet of advanced equiptment Anyone can participate regardless of ability to pay

50 Contact Southern Programs & Pico Mountain Tom Alcorn, Burlington Area & Bolton Valley Kelly Walsh, Waterbury/Montpelier Areas & Sugarbush Maggie Burke, C.O.R.E. Connections Megann O Malley, coreconnections@vermontadaptive.org Phone: