Leadership
Special Olympic’s leadership work drives personal and cultural change. First, we build leadership skills in athletes, so they have the opportunity to become leaders within the movement, their communities, and ultimately, teachers of inclusion. Then, through the Unified Leadership approach, athletes educate people without disabilities to improve their behaviors and practices creating more inclusive environments for all.
Athlete Leadership
Athlete Leadership creates opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities to develop and demonstrate their abilities in leadership roles.
Unified Leadership
Building from sport, Unified Leadership teaches leaders of all abilities to value and learn from each other, and create environments where people with ID succeed in meaningful roles.
Special Olympics Athletes are Leading the Way.
In order to truly become a movement led by athletes they must be given the opportunity to share their abilities, experiences and knowledge. Athlete leaders from across the globe are making a difference by leading the way to a more inclusive society.
Global Athlete Congress
The Global Athlete Congress (GAC) is a platform where Special Olympics athletes lead the way to a more inclusive world. It’s a space where athlete leaders from all 7 Special Olympics Regions further develop their leadership skills, so they can take on leadership roles in Special Olympics, their communities, and their workplace.
Dustin Plunkett, Manager of Outreach and Inspirational Speaker at Special Olympics Southern California, led a Unified Leadership discussion at the 2017 World Games in Austria.
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Inspiring Words from Our Athletes
Loretta Claiborne at TEDxMidAtlantic
"I figured if my story could change a person's mind about another person, or especially a child's mind about another child, then it was the right thing to do."
Haseeb Abbasi at TEDxLahore
Determined to fight for others, Haseeb is actively helping to change the perceptions and mindsets of society so everybody can follow their dreams.
Frank Stephens Challenges Showtime
The Special Olympics athlete speaks up for people with Down syndrome following an offensive comedy special.