When you think of Special Olympics, what comes to mind? Smiling athletes with medals, young adults with disabilities learning a new sport and getting a chance to shine, and new friendships based around healthy activities and cooperation?  

Now imagine if that picture included: 

 … kids in grade school teaming up to build robots. 

… teenagers with IDD gaining access to critical technology.  

… partnerships with Native American tribes to bring programming to isolated communities. 

… new doors opening to help even more people with IDD across the state. 

This and more will be part of three new initiatives from Special Olympics in Washington State, funded by the DDA’s Dan Thompson Memorial Development Disabilities Community Services Account. 

"We are incredibly grateful to receive this funding and cement a partnership with Washington State to serve individuals with IDD," said David Wu, President and CEO of Special Olympics Washington. The funding, totaling $3.6 million, will be a game changer for the organization. “This is exactly the kind of support we need to help create a more inclusive future in our state,” Wu continued. 

The new programming is all part of the organization’s Beyond Gold initiative, which grew out of the organization’s strategic planning. 

“As we always say, we are the community we serve,” Wu explained. “Beyond Gold is based on our own lived experiences and the voices of more than 50,000 of our athletes, coaches, volunteers, and other allies.”  

“Beyond Gold is transforming Special Olympics Washington in ways that will ripple across this state.” 

“We can now move ahead with two key goals – supporting people with IDD in underserved BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of color) communities; promoting digital fluency for Special Olympics Washington athletes and other participants,” Wu explained.  

They’ll do this through three specific programs: 

Building Bridges  

In partnership with Indigenous leaders, Building Bridges will bring sports, health screenings, and educational opportunities to isolated communities on the east and west sides of the state. 

“Building Bridges is aligned to create belonging and inclusion and foster deep partnership with native tribes,” Wu notes. “We will help introduce Special Olympics to four Indigenous communities, including the Yakima Nation. The program will build inclusion for those most often left on the sidelines.” 

Digital Equity 

All about closing the digital divide, this partnership with community and corporate partners will: 

• improve technology across all areas of the Special Olympics experience – from participant registration to volunteer training 
• launch Operation Tech Connect for All to empower athletes with the tools and skills needed to thrive in an increasingly digitized world 
• develop an inclusive STEM (Science, Tech, Engineering & Math) curriculum for K-5 students via community partners
• expand its Unified Robotics program to middle school and adult participants 

“We live in a tech-driven society,” Wu said. “It's essential for people of all abilities to be fluent in STEM concepts to truly thrive. But people with IDD are too often left out when their peers are gaining STEM skills in school. And that means they are left behind in the job market as well. It’s time to change that trajectory.” 

Unified Champions Schools 

The funding will also help the organization launch the United Champions Schools program in Seattle Public Schools. United Champions brings together students with and without IDD through sports, leadership opportunities, and school-wide engagement.  

“This is an important outreach to BIPOC communities and large urban schools,” Wu explains. “We are creating accepting school climates in a meaningful way.” 

“This in-school program is proven to foster a greater sense of belonging, reduce stigma and help curb bullying,” Wu notes. Recent research also shows the program fosters improved attendance for people with IDD, greater participation in school activities, and better academic results. 

And yes, the gold medals, the new friendships made on the playing field, and the cheering crowds are all still very much a part of the Special Olympics experience.  

“Our ‘healthy athlete’ efforts are still front and center,” says Wu. “Now, we have the means to accelerate the ripples we make every day and grow profound change, by creating new doors for so many who have been left on the sidelines for too long.” 

Interested in partnering or volunteering with Special Olympics Washington State? Contact them at www.SpecialOlympicsWashington.org.