Program areas at Special Olympics Florida
Through participation in 236 local competitions, 58,461 Special Olympics athletes from Florida had ample opportunities to practice and hone their skills. With 27 different sports being offered year-round, there is something for everyone. During 2022, we hosted the largest Special Olympics USA (national) games in Special Olympics history and the largest humanitarian event ever in the state of Florida. As a result, our team and resources helped provide a once-in-a-lifetime experience for an additional 5,000 athletes from across the US and Caribbean. They also delivered an additional 13,000 health exams. In 2022, Special Olympics Florida celebrated its 50th anniversary, which included special programmatic and donor activations across the state. Both of these milestone events elevated public awareness and brought additional champions into our mission.
Healthy Programs - Strive to improve athletes' well-being & overall sports experience through enhancement of health, wellness & fitness initiatives. Through partnerships fitness and wellness programs, as well as robust Healthy Athletes programming, SOFL is paving the way for inclusive health. We offer an approach that focuses on the whole person with an intellectual & developmental disability & provide integrated health care & referrals. Athletes are offered in eight disciplines, including health promotion, physical examinations, physical therapy, hearing, vision, podiatry, mental wellness, and dental care. SOFL trains healthcare providers throughout the state, improving access to quality health care year-round for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in their own communities. During 2022, the program performed 6,913 health screenings with the assistance of 690 health care professionals. During 2022, we hosted the largest Special Olympics USA (national) games in Special Olympics history and the largest humanitarian event ever in the state of Florida. As a result, our team and resources helped provide a once-in-a-lifetime experience for an additional 5,000 athletes from across the US and Caribbean. They also delivered an additional 13,000 health exams. In 2022, Special Olympics Florida celebrated its 50th anniversary, which included special programmatic and donor activations across the state. Both of these milestone events elevated public awareness and brought additional champions into our mission.
Training of 58,461 athletes in functional sports skills and rules which empower and enable them to interact with the community. Training takes place not only as part of the Olympic type sports offered, but also through our Unified Sports Young Athletes Program and Athlete Leadership courses to enhance our athletes' opportunities within our community. While providing the athletes with opportunities to build muscles and sharpen motor skills, training also builds self-confidence and the development of social skills that will help them live a better life.
Other programs include Unified Champion Schools, an education project that uses sports and education to activate young people to develop school communities where all youth are agents of change - fostering respect, dignity and advocacy for people with intellectual disabilities. Also included is the Young Athlete Program for children 2-7, coaching and officiating certification programs, athlete and community outreach, athlete leadership and the promotion of training and competition.