Special Olympics Virginia Inc

Area programs: special olympics virginia has sub-divided the state into 32 geographic area programs in order to reach as many people with intellectual disabilities as possible. These programs generally contain several cities and counties. The volunteers in these areas raise funds for their area, decide what activities to offer in their area, and generally are the grassroots provider of special olympics virginia services. These events provide an opportunity for athletes to display their capabilities and inspire people in their communities and elsewhere to open their hearts to a wider world of human talents and potential. In addition, regular physical activity is extremely important to people with intellectual disabilities, who face significant challenges in accessing quality health care and obtaining opportunities that promote fitness and wellness, resulting in pronounced health disparities and reduced life expectancy.

Special olympics unified champion schools (ucs) program uses sports to develop school communities where youth are agents of change, fostering respect, dignity and advocacy for people with disabilities. In collaboration with school systems across virginia, the virginia high school league and the virginia department of education, the goal is to inspire the first unified generation. Ucs is aimed at promoting social inclusion through intentionally planned and implemented activities affecting systems-wide change. With sports as the foundation, the three component model - inclusive sports, inclusive youth leadership opportunities, and whole school engagement - offers a unique combination of effective activities that equip young people with tools and training to create sports, classroom and school climates of acceptance. These are school climates where students with disabilities feel welcome and are routinely included in, and feel a part of, all activities, opportunities and functions. In virginia, we have 555 engaged schools in 59 jurisdictions, and 17,500 youth involved in unified sports programming.

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