General Session The Basics of Special Olympics

General Session The Basics of Special Olympics

Mission Statement The mission of Special Olympics is to provide yearround training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports to children and adults with intellectual disabilities in order 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. The mission drives every aspect of the movement.

Athletes Oath Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt. At every event, at the local, state, national, and global events athletes recite this oath in unison.

History of Special Olympics In 1968, Eunice Kennedy Shriver organized the first International Special Olympics games. Special Olympics Wyoming began in 1972 under the direction and leadership of Helen and Lloyd Wampler. There are Special Olympics programs in 170 countries, all 50 US states and the district of Columbia serving over 5,300,000 athletes Special Olympics Wyoming currently serves nearly 1,600 athletes.

History of Participation Special Olympics Inc Special Olympics Wyoming 5,300,000 2017 1,575 3,746,469 2010 1,065 750,000 1990 950 1972 210 1,000 1968 100* 1963 * Day camp in Mrs. Shriver s backyard

Special Olympics Goals Goal 1: Improve opportunities for athletes to perform at their best Special Olympics will improve the quality of programs, and broaden access to them. This means strengthening our focus on sports programming, supported by our health work, so that athletes are fit and healthy, master skills, build confidence and self-reliance and perform at their best on and off the field. As we do this, Special Olympics will use its expertise to be a leader on how to achieve inclusion in and through sport, and improve access to the effective programs we have, more than creating new ones.

Special Olympics Goals Goal 2: Build positive attitudes towards people with ID Attitude change must be a deliberate outcome of Special Olympics. We create change from others engaging with and witnessing our athletes as they participate in sports. It is essential that Special Olympics continuously works to improve awareness of what people with ID can achieve. We need people to see our athletes competing, and athletes leading the way as the face and voice of our movement; that is what opens hearts and minds and ultimately promotes inclusion in friendships, communities, health, education and jobs.

Statement of Eligibility Special Olympics training & competition is provided to: Persons with intellectual disabilities Aged 8 years or older Registration with Special Olympics to participate (Application for Participation/medical and Release) * Exception of Unified Sports Partner who are typically a peer with no disability.

Persons with Intellectual Disabilities Identified by agency or professional Have a cognitive delay Have a closely-related developmental disability

Environmental Expression More similar to the greater population than different Mild limitations * Learn at a different pace than peers * May walk and/or talk later * May have issues in appropriate social behavior Severe Limitations * Traditional schooling may not be appropriate * Need to master life skills & communications skills

Special Olympics Inc. Organizational Structure Athletes Local Programs Coaches Family Members Area Programs Competition & Training Collaboration State Program (one of 52) Board of Directors Competition & Training Accreditation Special Olympics North America

Communication progression in Wyoming Coaches Family Members Local Coordinator or Management Team Area Director Special Olympics Wyoming Staff

Unique from other Sports Organizations Sports opportunities for all ability levels Divisoning for equitable competition Awards for all participants Random draw for advancement to higher levels of competition No fees athletes are not prohibited from participating based on their ability to pay.

Targeting Potential Athletes Elementary and secondary and transition programs Work Settings Community agencies Park and Recreation programs Current athletes and families

Targeting Potential Unified Sports Partners Elementary and secondary and transition programs Work Settings Community agencies Park and Recreation programs Friends & Families

Special Olympics Regions Special Olympics Wyoming is divided into five different Areas

Training Resources Federation or Governing Body Rules Sports Specific Skills Program Guides SOI Official Sports Rules Family Home Training www.special olympics.org Coaches Education and Training Sessions

Coach Education System Track for Coaches without Sport Experience Comprehensive Mentoring Sport Mentoring & Assistance Continuing Education Comprehensive 4 Track for Coaches with Sport Experience Comprehensive Mentoring Sport Mentoring & Assistance Tactics Course Sport Strategies & Tactics Mentoring ASEP online or Training -Seminar 3 Tactics Course Sport Strategies & Tactics Principles of Coaching Course Expanding the Sport Sciences Training Seminar 2 Principles of Coaching Course Expanding the Sport Sciences Unified Sports Course Expanding the Program Training Seminar Unified Sports Course Expanding the Program Skills Course Basic Sport Skills and Strategies General Orientation & Protective Behavior Introduction to Special Olympics 10-hour Practicum Training-Seminar Foundation 1 Coaching Special Olympics Athletes Course Effectively Teaching & Coaching Athletes General Orientation & Protective Behavior

Increasing Sports Opportunities

Protecting Special Olympics Athletes Special Olympics Inc. developed the Protective Behaviors Training as a tool to assist with protecting Special Olympics athletes from abuse. Protective Behaviors training required for Class A Volunteers and staff (16 years of age and older) It requires the assistance of everyone involved in our organization to help keep our athletes safe from abuse.

Protecting Special Olympics Athletes Preventing Physical Abuse - No corporal punishment - Check temperature of water (showers/baths) - Do not withhold water or food when needed - Dispense only prescribed medications as assigned Preventing emotional abuse - Treat athletes with courtesy & respect; no profanity - Provide constructive & positive discipline For the Protective Behaviors training click here.

Protecting Special Olympics Athletes Preventing sexual abuse - Provide at least 2 adults to supervise in locker room - Provide appropriate physical contact in public - Respect boundaries - Provide appropriate sleeping arrangements - Educate athletes, partners, volunteers, & family members about appropriate contact

Based on International and National Governing Body Rules Contain few modifications Provide sports & events for all ability levels Govern all Special Olympics competitors Sports Rules

Special Olympics divisoning is based on age, gender, & ability Ability is the most important Divisoning

Progression of Games World Global Regions National State Area Local

Special Olympics Wyoming Sports Winter Games Summer Games Summer Sports Classic Fall Tournament Alpine Skiing Aquatics Equestrian Bowling X-Country Skiing Athletics Golf Cycling Snowboarding Basketball Softball Soccer Snowshoeing Powerlifting Tennis Unified Sports offered

Special Olympics Wyoming State Events Winter Games- February Summer Games- May Summer Sports Classic - August Fall Tournament- October

Eligibility for National & World Games No other organized event in the world has the social and emotional impact of the Special Olympics World Games Athletes that have received a gold medal at the preceding State games are selected randomly to compete in World Games.

Enhancing Involvement in School & Community Unified Sports Volunteer Interaction Lifetime Sports / Skills Development Unified Champion Schools Athlete Leadership Programs Community-based Facilities Public Education Media

Unified Sports Team sports are about having fun, promoting physical health and bringing people together. Special Olympics Unified Sports teams do all of that and shatter stereotypes about individuals with intellectual disability in the process. Special Olympics athletes and their teammates without intellectual disabilities (Unified Sports partners) practice and play together on Unified Sports teams. Unified Sports partners and athletes should be of equal ability on the playing field. Partners are teammates, not coaches.

Coaches, Chaperones, etc. Volunteers Class A volunteers include volunteers that are in close contact with our athletes (coaches, chaperones etc.). Class A volunteers must complete the Protective Behaviors Training and complete a volunteer registration form very three years. Day of Event Volunteers (Class C volunteers) are for area and/or state competitions on the day of the event. Examples for Class C Volunteer roles include timing, athlete check in, recording results, assisting with awards, making announcements, selling merchandise, helping with food service and staging events. Volunteers are vital to Special Olympics.

Volunteer Expectations Provide health and safety (athletes, volunteers, & spectators) Dress and act appropriately Follow all rules & guidelines Report all emergencies to appropriate authorities Abstain from alcohol, tobacco, & illegal substances Abstain from inappropriate contact or relationships with athletes, volunteers, or others

Volunteer Opportunities Unified Champion School Liaison Public Relations Training School/Agency/Local Coordinator Coaching Management Team (Area & State) Fundraising Athlete Recruitment Games Management Team (Area & State) State Board Member Chaperoning Athlete Leadership Mentor Event Volunteer Medical Support Officiating Office Support

Athlete Leadership Program Special Olympics Athlete Leadership Programs allow athletes to explore opportunities for greater participation in our movement beyond sports training and competition: as coaches, officials, team captains, spokespeople, committee and Board members. Part of the Athlete Leadership Program includes Global Messengers who are athletes that spread the message and vision of the movement as well as the benefits they have gained by participating in Special Olympics. Global Messengers communicate the powerful declarations of hope, acceptance, dignity, and courage of Special Olympics Athletes around the world.

Athlete Leadership Program Athlete Input Councils are a means for athletes to express their ideas, concerns and recommendations at the local level, to help improve the quality and integrity of their Special Olympics program. Input Councils meet on a regular basis and recommend new ideas to their local Management Team and provide valuable feedback on events and competitions held at the Area or State level.

Special Olympics challenges/opportunities More athletes Funding More volunteers, especially coaches & youth Quality training and competition Athlete leadership Inclusive sports opportunities More family involvement Public education

Proven Benefits Improved strength, stamina, and motor skills Improved self-esteem and self-confidence Healthy skilldependable employees Greater independent participation within the community State-wide Friendships

Putting it All Together TRAINING is the key COMPETITION is the means Skill, confidence, courage & joy are the OUTCOMES Better preparation for life is the GOAL Lifelong skills & increased independence are the RESULTS