Families with children who have disabilities are like other families; however, having a child with special needs often thrusts them into situations that may make their everyday lives more challenging. Special Olympics offer families the opportunities to be a part of year-round sports training and competition program, which not only provides the entire family with opportunities for sports, social interaction, and fun, but also serves as a much-needed support system.
Special Olympics is an opportunity
- for families to share in the accomplishments of their children
- to share the Special Olympics pride and joy with other families
- for family members to compete in all sorts of sporting events with their athlete
In Special Olympics, families are the most powerful resource. Families help coach, transport, raise funds, officiate, chaperone, and train other volunteers. The Special Olympics Families program provides specific educational information on topics unique to families of children with mental retardation. Special Olympics also offers families a supportive forum for airing and discussing their ideas, concerns, and fears.
The
Special Olympics Families program offers support through
- newsletters reaching more than 500,000 family members provided by Special Olympics, Inc., U.S. Programs, and national Programs worldwide
- brochures for family members and support groups
- family seminars and sports camps
- family days and family committees
- family receptions at Games and special events
- family hospitality rooms at Games
- the family awards and recognition program
- referral systems for families seeking professional assistance
- family home training programs which assist in sports training and physical conditioning
- Family network systems
- Early intervention project
- Family forums
- Sibling sessions
Special
Olympics Family programs continue to grow. IN 1968 at the first International
Special Olympics Games in Chicago, fewer than 200 family members were
present. In 1995, at the ninth Special Olympics World Summer Games in
New Haven, Connecticut, more than 12,000 family. 
That all Special Olympics activities - at the local, state and international levels reflect the values, standards, traditions, ceremonies, and events embodied in the modern Olympic movement. These Olympic-type activities have been broadened and enriched to celebrate the moral and spiritual qualities of persons with mental retardation so as to enhance their dignity and self-esteem.
That participation in Special Olympics training programs and competitive events is open to all people with mental retardation who are at least 8 years old, regardless of the degree of their disability.
That comprehensive, year-round sports training is available to every Special Olympics athlete, conducted by well-qualified coaches in accordance with the standardized Sports Rules formulated and adopted by Special Olympics, Inc., and that every athlete who participates in a Special Olympics sport will be trained in that sport.
That every Special Olympics Program includes sports events and activities that are appropriate to the age and ability level of each athlete, from motor activities to the most advanced competition.
That Special Olympics provides full participation for every athlete regardless of economic circumstance and conducts training and competition under the most favorable conditions possible, including facilities, administration, training, coaching, officiating and events.
That, at every awards Ceremony, in addition to the traditional medals for first, second and third places, athletes finishing from fourth to last place are presented a suitable place ribbon with appropriate ceremony.
That, to the greatest extent possible, Special Olympics activities will be run by, any involve local volunteers, from school and college-age to senior citizens, in order to create greater opportunities for public understanding of mental retardation.
That, although Special Olympics is primarily a program of sports training and competition, efforts are made to offer athletes a full range of artistic, social, and cultural experiences through activities such as dances, art exhibits, concerts, visits to historic sites, clinics, theatrical performances and similar activities.
That
the Spirit of Special Olympics-skill, courage, sharing and joy-incorporates
universal values which transcend all boundaries of geography, nationality,
political philosophy, gender, age, race, or religion.