Case Studies

Learn how to engage local advocates and community members in adopting inclusive preparedness competencies.

Learn how to leverage partnerships to advance inclusion and create healthier communities.

Learn how to ensure cessation resources and assistance are accessible for all.

In many communities around the nation, families who care for children with IDD face an unmet need.

For people with intellectual disabilities, maintaining health and wellness is essential to being self-sufficient, achieving or maintaining independence, participating in society, and preventing the onset of secondary health conditions.

In the United States, 18.5% of children are obese.1 According to Special Olympics Healthy Athletes data, for children with intellectual disabilities, the prevalence is almost double at 33%. Regular physical activity is a key factor in preventing or decreasing obesity, a health issue that is costly to the health care system and can lead to a number of co-morbidities (e.g., type II diabetes).

Dover High School in New Hampshire has developed a novel inclusion program in its physical education curriculum so that students with and without intellectual disabilities do all physical education activities together. This had a transformative effect on all students, beyond the gym into all settings of the school and into the community.

Special Olympics Health Messengers Parker Thornton, Nell Coonen-Korte, and Jason Gieschen spoke at the American Public Health Association's Annual Meeting with the U.S. Surgeon General about their health journeys and intentional inclusion.

This guide was prepared by the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), with support from Special Olympics.

Loretta Claiborne is the Chief Inspiration Officer and Vice Chair, Board of Directors at Special Olympics International

In New York, over 86% of adult Special Olympics athletes are overweight or obese. Because of this, Special Olympics New York partnered with the YMCA of Greater Rochester to help their athletes get YMCA memberships.