Unified Champion Schools

Unified programming was inspired by a simple principle: when people with and without intellectual disabilities train together, play together, and learn together the path to friendship and understanding is easily paved. 

Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools is education and sports-based programming led through student engagement. With the assistance of funding from Special Olympics North America and the Office of Special Education Programs, Special Olympics Montana and partner schools serve as a force for social inclusion across the state. Our vision is to create a world where people with intellectual disabilities are welcomed in their communities and join with others to learn, work, compete and play, having the same rights and opportunities as others.

Reasons to Choose Inclusion

Students engaged in programming develop valuable pro-social skills.

Students feel that they are able to change their schools for the better.

Students with and without intellectual disabilities create and maintain meaningful friendships in and out of the classroom and on and off of the playing field.

Students regard their experience with the program as a positive turning point in their lives.

Students learn the skills of patience and compromise.

Students learn about the challenges of being a leader.

Students learn that standing up for something they believe in is the right thing to do.

Students learn about sports, health, fitness, and teamwork.

Students experience significant positive changes in their self-esteem, self-confidence, and social skills.

Schools receive funding, resources, and support from Special Olympics Montana to get started.

Resources

For more information please review the resources above, enter the Unified Champion Schools website using the big red button at the top of this page, or contact us by emailing UnifiedSchools@somt.org. We hope you #ChooseToInclude and join Special Olympics Montana and thousands of students across our state and nation as we lead the inclusion revolution!

Also, check out the latest and greatest tool from Special Olympics North America…https://www.generationunified.org/.

Stay Informed
  1. Follow us on Facebook @PlayUnifiedSOMT
  2. Unified Sports posts use #PlayUnified #Unify406 #ChooseToInclude
  3. Youth Leadership posts use #liveunified #choosetoinclude #unifiedgeneration #Unify406
  4. Whole School Engagement posts use #choosetoinclude #inclusionrevolution #unifiedgeneration #Unify406
  5. All three components use #inclusionrevolution #Unify406
  6. Cool School Polar Plunges posts use #MTCoolSchools
  7. OPI Inclusive Youth Days posts use #YouthDays #Unify406

Don’t forget to tag us in your photos so we can announce your awesomeness online! @PlayUnifiedSOMT and @SpecialOlympicsMontana