General Session “The Basics of Special Olympics”

1. General Session “The Basics of Special Olympics”

2. Mission Statement The mission of Special Olympics is to provide year-round 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.

3. Athletes Oath “Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.” At every event around the world athletes recite this oath in unison.

4. 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 4,000,000 athletes • Special Olympics Wyoming currently serves almost 1400 athletes.

5. History of Participation * Day camp in Mrs. Shriver’s backyard

6. Special Olympics Goals • To achieve quality growth by creating innovative opportunities to bring the Special Olympics experience to more of the world’s 190 million people with intellectual disabilities • To create positive public attitudes toward a population that is often rejected or forgotten • To promote global athlete leadership and dedicate the movement to empowerment and dignity, not charity

7. 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.

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

9. 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

10. Organizational Structure

11. Unique from other Sports Organizations • Sports opportunities for all ability levels • Divisoningfor equitable competition • Awards for all participants • Random draw for advancement to higher levels of competition • No fees charged to athletes or family

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

13. Special Olympics Regions Special Olympics Wyoming is split into five different Areas: See map below.

14. Training Resources

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

16. Increasing Sports Opportunities

17. 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.

18. 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.

19. 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

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

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

22. Progression of Games World GlobalRegions National State Area Local

23. Special Olympics Wyoming Sports Summer Sports • *Aquatics • *Athletics • *Basketball • Power lifting • *Tennis • Gymnastics** • Winter Sports • Snowboarding • *Snow Shoe • Alpine Skiing • *Cross Country Skiing • Fall Sports • *Bowling • *Equestrian • *Cycling • *Soccer *Golf & *Softball MATP ** Only offered in Area competition * Unified Sports offered

24. Special Olympics Wyoming State Events • Winter Games- February • Summer Games- May • Unified Sports Golf Tournament - August • G. Michael Perry Softball Tournament- September • Fall Tournament- October

25. 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.

26. Enhancing Involvement in School & Community Volunteer Interaction Lifetime Sports / Skills Development Unified Sports® Project UNIFY® Community-based Facilities Athlete Leadership Programs Public Education Media

27. 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.

28. Volunteers Coaches, Chaperones, etc. • 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. • 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 the life-blood of Special Olympics.

29. 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

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

31. 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.

32. 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.

33. 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

34. Proven Benefits • Improved strength, stamina, and motor skills • Improved self-esteem and self-confidence • Healthy skill-dependable employees • Greater independent participation within the community

35. 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