Opening Eyes

[Padua / Washington, D.C. - March 10, 2025] For over two decades, Safilo Group—one of the eyewear industry’s key players in the design, manufacturing and distribution of prescription frames, sunglasses, outdoor eyewear, goggles, and helmets—and Special Olympics have been changing lives, one pair of glasses at a time. Now, that mission continues.

The following is an excerpt from Monitor’s, Uganda edition, “Special Olympics: Eye opening opportunity” which highlights the Special Olympics Lions Clubs International Foundation Opening Eyes® program.

Special Olympics and the OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation have announced the extension of their impactful partnership for an additional three years between 2024 and 2026 at a ceremony in New York in September 2024.

The SO MENA MATP Coach event was conducted in Kuwait from September 6 – 10, 2024.

Imagine training for months or years to qualify for the swimming competition of a lifetime. All those hours, all those practices. You get up on the block awaiting the starting gun as you gaze out toward the pool and see nothing but a blur.

Ecuadorian pioneer has brought improved eye health and vision care to Special Olympics athletes for over two decades thanks to support of Lions Clubs International Foundation

Special Olympics Missouri Athlete and Global Health Messenger Allen Tobin Talks About the Benefits of Healthy Athletes and Inclusive Health at the 2023 APHA Annual Meeting.

2 July 2023 - Hyannis Port, Massachusetts: As part of a shared commitment to inclusion and community service across the world, Special Olympics and Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) signed a historic five-year partnership agreement that will provide sustained services, support and empowerment to the global population of individuals with intellectual disabilities.

The 2022 Partnership Report highlights how Cooper Vision, Optometry Giving Sight and Special Olympics continue improving sight and quality of life of individuals with Intellectual Disabilities through Eye Care Practitioner training and screening events in the US and Kenya.

Everyone’s health needs should be included in the healthcare system, and people with intellectual disabilities deserve to have access to a healthcare environment that best addresses their specific health needs.