The District Magazine Vol. 1 Issue 4, Winter 2016 | Page 12

Special Olympics, Hillsborough County
Special Olympics Florida
– Hillsborough County
provides year-round
sports training and
competition to more
than 1,288 children and
adults with intellectual
disabilities as a means to
achieve physical fitness,
self-esteem, socialization
skills, and the life
skills necessary to be
productive, respected,
and contributing
members of their
communities. Neither
athletes nor parents/
caregivers are charged a
fee to participate in the
program, and activities
exist for all ability levels,
from severely challenged
to elite athlete.
Special Olympics
Florida athletes are
given opportunities
to participate without
regard to economic,
demographic, religious,
or social factors.
Opportunities exist for
training and competition
from ages 2 and up –
with no age limitation.
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In addition to traditional sports programs, Special Olympics Florida
also offers the following:
• Unified Champion Schools is an
education-based project that uses
inclusive sports, youth leadership
and whole-school engagement
to develop school communities
where all youth – with and
without intellectual disabilities
-- work together toward greater
respect and dignity for people
with intellectual disabilities.
• Young Athletes is an innovative
sports play program for children
ages 2-7 with intellectual
disabilities and developmental
disabilities and their peers,
designed to introduce them into
the world of sports. Children
in the Young Athletes program
develop cognitive and motor
skills at three times the rate of
non-participants.
• Athlete Leadership allows
athletes to explore opportunities
in roles previously considered
“non-traditional,” such as serving
on the Board of Directors or
local organizing committees
or becoming a spokesperson,
captain, coach, or official.

• The mission of Special
Olympics Health is to improve
our athletes overall health and
fitness, leading to enhanced
sports experiences and improves
well-being through health exams
and educational classes.
• The Motor Activity Training
Program
is
designed
for
athletes with severe or profound
disabilities and seeks to improve
the athlete’s basic motor skills
in the following areas: dexterity,
striking,
kicking,
manual
wheelchair, electric wheelchair
and swimming.
In order to provide all of
these incredible opportunities
to athletes with intellectual
disabilities in our community,
Special Olympics Florida –
Hillsborough County relies on a
broad network of volunteers and
the generosity of local individuals,
civic clubs, and businesses. We
need you to help train, support,
and encourage our athletes. For
more information, please visit
http://specialolympicsflorida.
org/hillsborough/.