what we do

Inclusive Schools

Our Inclusive School program is a pioneering initiative that aims to create inclusive and supportive learning environments for students of all abilities. By fostering a culture of acceptance, understanding, and respect, we strive to empower students to reach their full potential both inside and outside the classroom.

Inclusive Schools

Unified on the Playing Field
Unified in the Classroom

We firmly believe that inclusive education is a fundamental right for every student. Our Inclusive Schools program is designed to breaking down barriers and promoting social inclusion through three core components: inclusive sports, youth leadership, and whole-school engagement.

This partnership has already transformed numerous schools across the state, creating vibrant communities where every student thrives. We believe that by embracing differences and promoting understanding, we can build a more inclusive society where everyone has the opportunity to shine.

Stories

Inspired Athletes in Action

Text Link
Why 7v7 Soccer is a Game Changer for Special Olympics Massachusetts

Switching from 5v5 to 7v7 soccer boosts skill development, teamwork, and fitness for Special Olympics MA athletes. The expanded format enhances game dynamics and social bonds!

Text Link
Gregg's Guide: Five Fun Fall Activities to Keep You Active this Season

Special Olympics MA athlete, Gregg, shares five favorite fall activities to stay active: apple picking, leaf raking, haunted house visits, soccer, and foliage walks.

Text Link
North Reading High School Leads the Way Being First School to Host Mobile Plunge

North Reading High School hosted Massachusetts' first Special Olympics mobile plunge, raising funds for inclusion through Unified Sports. The event fostered community and aims to inspire other schools to embrace similar initiatives.

inclusive schools

Program Details

MIAA and MASC Partnerships

The Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) works alongside Special Olympics Massachusetts to promote Unified Sports through the Unified Champion Schools Program.  They are actively spreading the Unified Champion Schools mission throughout their 376 member schools.  Assistant Directors of the MIAA, Richard Riley and James Peter state, “our goal is to encourage and assist any MIAA schools interested in a Unified Sports program.” Learn more about the MIAA!

The Massachusetts Association of Student Councils (MASC) has chosen to partner with Special Olympics Massachusetts to join us in advocating for and supporting the Unified Champion Schools Program. Learn more about the MASC!

Elementary School (Ages 2-12)

Summary

In elementary schools, adults foster youth leadership by facilitating age-appropriate leadership roles and providing learning experiences that explore what it means to be a leader. For example, students might be mentors for younger student athletes, set up sports skill stations, and discuss books that promote leadership qualities. These experiences lay a strong foundation for middle and high school years when students take more initiative in planning and implementing Unified opportunities. Ultimately, students become advocates for communities that promote respect and dignity for everyone.

Criteria For Success

In order for your school to be an official Unified Champion School, you must demonstrate the following three components. Once your school has these components, you can apply to become a Unified Champion School.

  • Whole School Engagement: Awareness and education activities that promote respect and social inclusion and reach the majority of students and school staff members.
  • Inclusive Youth Leadership: Encouraging students with and without intellectual disabilities to take on leading roles as they work with adults in the school to create a socially inclusive environment through sports and other activities.
  • Unified Sports: Opportunities for students with and without intellectual disabilities to participate in a variety of fitness, play, and sports activities alongside one another
Sign Up

Middle School (Ages 12-15)

Unified Sports

Special Olympics Unified Sports is a component of the Unified Champion Schools program that engages students with and without intellectual disabilities on the same sports team. Unified Sports provides valuable social inclusion opportunities for all teammates to build friendships on and off the playing field. Through modeling genuine inclusion for the entire school community, all teammates are challenged to improve their sports skills and fitness. In the process, young adolescents with and without intellectual disabilities increase their positive attitudes and perceptions toward their peers and establish friendships.

Options to Implement at Your School:

For other great examples of what Unified sports looks like at the Middle School level, please check out the Middle Level Playbook.

Youth Leadership

  • Students with and without intellectual disabilities will be given the opportunity to work together as leaders to advocate for inclusion and promote Unified activities within the school and throughout the community.
  • Options to implement at your school:
    - Best Buddies (or a like program)
    - National Honor Society
    - Inclusive Student Council
    - Youth Activation Council—A committee of students who bridge together their schools with Special Olympics and Unified Champion Schools to create an inclusive atmosphere made up of students who act as agents of change within their communities and beyond.
  • For other great examples of what inclusive Youth Leadership looks like at the Middle School level, please check out the Inclusive Youth Leadership Guidelines.

Whole School Engagement

  • Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools provide opportunities for all students to learn about and practice social inclusion through sustained engagement, whether during an assembly, as part of a sports experience, or through planned activities that reach the interdisciplinary team or whole school. Through whole school engagement opportunities integrated with inclusive youth leadership and inclusive sports components, the school becomes a powerful community that represents new ways of thinking and acting.
  • Options to implement at your school:
    - Spread the Word to End the Word Campaign
    - Unified Pep Rallies and Unified Sports Days
    - Plays and Film Clips
    - Assemblies
    - Fans in the Stands

Criteria For Success

In order for your school to be an official Unified Champion School, you must demonstrate the following 3 components. Once your school has these components, you can apply to become a Unified Champion School.

  • Whole School Engagement: Awareness and education activities that promote respect and social inclusion and reach the majority of students and school staff members.
  • Inclusive Youth Leadership: Encouraging students with and without intellectual disabilities to take on leading roles as they work with adults in the school to create a socially inclusive environment through sports and other activities.
  • Unified Sports: Opportunities for students with and without intellectual disabilities to participate in a variety of fitness, play, and sports activities alongside one another
Sign Up

High School (Ages 14-22)

Unified Sports

  • Athletes with and without intellectual disabilities train alongside each other as teammates to promote inclusion, acceptance, and respect.
  • Teams in the Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools Program will engage in a competition that will highlight each athlete's strengths and abilities, making the competition challenging and fun for each participant.

Youth Leadership

  • Students with and without intellectual disabilities will be given the opportunity to work together as leaders to advocate for inclusion and promote unified activities within the school and throughout the community.
  • May include:
    - Best Buddies (or a like program)National Honors Society
    - Student Council
    - Youth Activation Council—A committee of students who bridge together their schools with Special Olympics and Unified Champion Schools to create an inclusive atmosphere made up of students who act as agents of change within their communities and beyond.

Whole School Engagement

Fans in the Stands

  • Students will attend inclusive events to cheer on their peers who are competing in unified events

MASC Plunge

  • Join the MASC in their epic plunge into icy cold Massachusetts water to support your local Unified team.

School-Wide R-word Pledge

  • Students with and without disabilities will hold events for and raise awareness on the harmful effects of the word “retard(ed)” as well as encouraging their peers to pledge to end the incorrect and hurtful use of the R-word.

Respect/Pep Rally

  • Students will hold a school-wide rally to promote inclusion and to support their peers of all abilities.

Criteria For Success

In order for your school to be an official Unified Champion School, you must demonstrate the following three components. Once your school has these components, you can apply to become a Unified Champion School.

  • Whole School Engagement: Awareness and education activities that promote respect and social inclusion and reach the majority of students and school staff members.
  • Inclusive Youth Leadership: Encouraging students with and without intellectual disabilities to take on leading roles as they work with adults in the school to create a socially inclusive environment through sports and other activities.
  • Unified Sports: Opportunities for students with and without intellectual disabilities to participate in a variety of fitness, play, and sports activities alongside one another
Sign Up

College

Summary

College and university campuses across the country have a long history with Special Olympics, from UCLA, to Notre Dame, to Harvard. College campuses were some of the first places to let Special Olympics host games and training. Today, the role of colleges and universities has grown to College Clubs and Unified Sports offered on campuses, that connect college students and individuals with intellectual disabilities through sports to build friendships.

Unified Sports

  • Unified Sports joins college students without intellectual disabilities (Unified partners) and college students or community members with intellectual disabilities (Special Olympics athletes) on the same team – playing together is a quick path to friendship and understanding.
  • At the college level, Unified Sports functions as:
    - Unified Sports Intramurals
    - Unified College Club
    - Unified Health & Fitness
  • For more information about starting a Special Olympics College Club on your campus, please check out the Special Olympics College Club Starter’s Guide.

Inclusive Leadership

  • Inclusive leadership occurs when people of all abilities are given opportunities to be leaders -on their campus. These leadership activities help individuals, both with and without intellectual disabilities, to find their voices and become change agents in their communities by promoting equity and acceptance.
  • At the college level, Inclusive Leadership functions as:
    - Special Olympics College Clubs
    - Student-Athlete Leadership Council (NCAA & NAIA Institutions)

Whole School Engagement

  • Awareness events bring the whole college community together, bringing attention to the need for meaningful inclusion. These events impact numerous stakeholders in a campus community and are great entry points to introduce more students to the Special Olympics movement.
  • At the college level, Whole Campus Engagement functions as:
    - Attending Local Special Olympics Events as Volunteers or Fans in the Stands
    - Organizing “Spread the Word Inclusion” and Respect Campaigns
    - Fundraisers Like Polar Plunges or On-Campus Events

Criteria For Success

In order for your school to be an official Unified Champion School, you must demonstrate the following 3 components. Once your school has these components, you can apply to become a Unified Champion School.

  • Whole School Engagement: Awareness and education activities that promote respect and social inclusion and reach the majority of students and school staff members.
  • Inclusive Youth Leadership: Encouraging students with and without intellectual disabilities to take on leading roles as they work with adults in the school to create a socially inclusive environment through sports and other activities.
  • Unified Sports: Opportunities for students with and without intellectual disabilities to participate in a variety of fitness, play, and sports activities alongside one another
Sign Up
gallery

Inclusive Schools In Session