Promoting Social Inclusion Through Sport
Special Olympics is dedicated to promoting social inclusion through shared sports training and competition experiences. Unified Sports joins people with and without intellectual disabilities on the same team. It was inspired by a simple principle: training together and playing together is a quick path to friendship and understanding.
In Unified Sports, teams are made up of people of similar age and ability. That makes practices more fun and games more challenging and exciting for all. Having sport in common is just one more way that preconceptions and false ideas are swept away.
For more information on Unified Sports contact Senior Director of Unifish Champion Schools, Jeanette Gray at jgray@somt.org.
Unified Sport Opportunities
Unified Physical Education
Unified Physical Education (P.E.) is a unique opportunity for students of varying ability levels and backgrounds to come together on equal terms through ongoing fitness, sports, leadership, and wellness activities.
Unified PE is a great Unified Sports opportunity for any school no matter the age of students.
Elementary
Little Feet Meets-
Students with and without intellectual disabilities show their sporting skills in front of cheering students, parents, and teachers in an all-inclusive field day experience. Equipment is provided by SOMT.
Young Athletes-
Basic sport skills, like running, kicking, and throwing are introduced. Young Athletes offers families, teachers, caregivers, and people from the community the chance to share the joy of sports with all children.
Middle School
Unified Track and Field Day-
An inclusive twist on a traditional year-end favorite. Each track and field event includes a unified event.
Unified Fitness Club-
Unified Fitness Clubs bring together individuals with and without intellectual disabilities and provide opportunities to engage in regular physical activity and talk about good nutrition. The club focus on participation, rather than competition-keeping things FUN!
High School
Unified Track-
Montana’s high schools and Special Olympics Montana have partnered together to bring Unified Track to Montana. This partnership brings together athletes with and without intellectual disabilities to practice and compete at local level track meets. Unified Track is a MHSA sanctioned event.
SoFit-
An 8-week comprehensive wellness program for individuals of all abilities.
Unified Fitness Club-
Unified Fitness Clubs bring together individuals with and without intellectual disabilities and provide opportunities to engage in regular physical activity and talk about good nutrition. The club focus on participation, rather than competition-keeping things FUN!
