Unified Schools give educators, students, administrators and coaches the power to create a more inclusive world and help end the stigma around intellectual disabilities.
About Unified Schools
Unified Schools begin with Special Olympics Unified Sports® to build inclusive school communities for young people of all abilities. This programming creates an environment where everyone feels welcome, valued, and included both in school and in their local community.
These schools can expand their programming to include inclusive youth leadership and whole school engagement in order to become Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools®.
These schools can expand their programming to include inclusive youth leadership and whole school engagement in order to become Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools®.
Faces of Inclusion
Stories of impact in communities around the world.
Faces of Inclusion: Sammy’s Journey
Sammy’s childhood is a familiar story for many children with intellectual disabilities (ID) who grow up in environments where differences are misunderstood and punished.
2 Min Read
Faces of Inclusion: A Mother of Three Special Olympics Athletes
Gissela is a devoted mother of three daughters with intellectual disabilities. Follow her story of balancing her role as their caregiver, coach, and provider.
4 Min Read
Our Work is Proven to:
94% of schools reported that Unified Schools made a big impact in reducing bullying, teasing, and offensive language.
Through Unified Schools, over 2 out of 3 students without intellectual disabilities (ID) experienced substantial positive change in interactions with their peers with ID.
In Kenya and India, 4 out of 5 teachers reported an improved sense of community after participating in Unified Schools.
Get in touch with Special Olympics to volunteer, become an athlete, join a Unified Sports team, work as a coach, and learn about upcoming events.
