Promoting social inclusion for people with intellectual disabilities through sport: Special Olympics International, global sport initiatives and strategies

Little is known of sport in the lives of people with intellectual disabilities, but emerging evidence suggests that it provides the same benefits as for people without disabilities. Historically, people with intellectual disabilities have been on the periphery of society, including learning in separate classrooms, and sport has served as a portal into the mainstream. Since its inception in 1968, Special Olympics has been at the forefront in providing opportunities for sport participation and has grown to serve nearly three million people with intellectual disabilities in over 180 countries. Special Olympics has been an engine of change to provide opportunities for individuals with intellectual disabilities to be visible in society and has actively promoted their inclusion through Unified Sports and Camp Shriver programming. The value of these inclusive programmes is explored in terms of the connection they provide among and between individuals with intellectual disabilities, their families and the surrounding community.