Our Mission: To provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.
Our Vision: We are a catalyst for inclusion! Special Olympics Washington is the leader in sports, inclusive health, and community building, empowering children and adults with intellectual disabilities to be valued on and off the playing field.
Participation: Persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), regardless of ability level, are welcome to participate in sports and other programs offered by Special Olympics Washington. Individuals are eligible for training and competition at age eight and there is no upper age limit. Thousands of athletes and Unified partners take part in Special Olympics Washington activities. Worldwide, more than 5.7 million athletes compete in Special Olympics programs in 200 countries and jurisdictions.
Funding: Special Olympics Washington is a registered 501(c) (3) non-profit organization supported entirely by individual, corporate, government and foundation funding. Athletes participate at no cost to themselves or their families. We are a Four-Star Charity on Charity Navigator. In addition, you can view our latest IRS Form 990 filing on IRS.gov.
Our Commitment to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access: Special Olympics Washington commits to building an inclusive, diverse, equitable and accessible community that empowers individuals with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities to celebrate their similarities and differences. Through our programming, we foster a community of belonging and inclusion for all.
Our Programming
- Training & Competition: Training and competition is offered year-round to Special Olympics athletes. Competition takes place at local, regional and state tournaments. Individuals and teams compete in divisions according to age, gender and ability.
- Health Initiatives: Special Olympics tackles the health inequities faced by individuals with IDD through programs that ensure ongoing access to quality, community-based health care services including free health screenings at competitions and other venues. Learn more about our health initiatives here.
- Athlete Leadership: We empower athletes to develop leadership skills and utilize their voices and abilities to undertake meaningful leadership roles, influence change in the Special Olympics movement and create inclusive communities around the world. Athlete Leaders develop their leadership skills through regular leadership trainings and by participating on local Athlete Leadership Councils.
- Unified Champion Schools: The Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools® program promotes social inclusion through intentionally planned and implemented activities, affecting systems-wide change. With sports as the foundation, the program brings together students with and without IDD for a unique combination of effective activities that equip young people with tools and training to create sports, classroom and school climates of acceptance. Learn more about Unified Champion Schools here.