Special Olympics

SPECIAL OLYMPICS AND AMSA
The Committee of Disabilities is currently in the process of forming a strong relationship between AMSA and the Special Olympics. The COD hopes to mobilize AMSA members around the country to participate at local Special Olympics events. For general Special Olympics information, please visit their website.

HEALTHY ATHLETES
The Special Olympics has a program called Healthy Athletes that AMSA members might be especially interested in volunteering for. Special Olympics Healthy Athletes® is a program designed to help Special Olympics athletes improve their health and fitness.

Athletes receive a variety of health services through clinics conducted in welcoming environments at Special Olympics competitions, while health care professionals learn about the health needs of Special Olympics athletes and gain confidence and satisfaction in volunteering their skills to an underserved population. Volunteers ranging from students to physicians help to insure the success of the program. There are five areas that the program focuses on:

• FUNfitness
• Health Promotion
• Healthy Hearing
• Opening Eyes
• Special Smiles
• MEDFEST

For information on specific Healthy Athletes programs and to obtain local contact information, please visit their website. COD plans to focus our volunteer efforts through MEDFEST once this program is launched on a more national level.

Special Olympics Grants Interested in conducting clinical research in issues associated with the healthcare experiences of persons with intellectual disabilities? Special Olympics offers funding opportunities to medical students in this field. Special Olympics conducts research and evaluation intramurally, provides grants to Special Olympics Programs, invites Programs to be part of research and evaluation efforts, and works collaboratively with researchers and institutions. For more information, please contact Darcie Mersereau.

GET INVOLVED!!!
See some suggestions on organizing students at your school.

If you would like to find more information about Special Olympics in your area, visit your local website.

FOR MORE INFORMATION
If you would like to learn more, or to find out if others are volunteering from AMSA in your area, please email AMSA's Disabilities coordinator.

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