Families
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 allows families the opportunities to be a part of a year-round sports training and competition program which provides the entire family with opportunities for sports, social interaction and fun.
Special Olympics family networks work closely with other professional organizations to provide educational, legal, and parenting information in support of families with special needs children.
Special Olympics is an opportunity...
- For families to share in the accomplishments of their children.
- To share the Special Olympics joy with other families.
- To allow the extended family the opportunity to be part of a year-round sports training and competition program.
Families are Special Olympics' most powerful resource. Families help coach, transport, fund raise, officiate, chaperone and train other volunteers. Families are Special Olympics' most highly motivated and enthusiastic goodwill ambassadors. The Special Olympics Families program provides educational and legal information, support and compassion to families of children with mental retardation.
The Special Olympics Families program offers support through...
- Newsletters reaching more than 500,000 family members provided by Special Olympics Inc., National and U.S. Chapters programs.
- Brochures for family members and support groups.
- Family seminars.
- 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.
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 members attended the Games, representing more than half the percentage of athletes participating in the Games.
Worldwide, family involvement has grown to include more than 450,000 family members. Since 1968, family programs have been established in all 50 U.S. states and in nearly 150 countries around the world.
Special Olympics can provide family members with a sense of pride in their athletes who participate, a sense of accomplishment through sports, and the hope of an exciting, bright future for the individual as an athlete and citizen in any community.
Here are some interesting Special Olympics family statistics...
- Married.......................75%
- Average number of children per family...............3.2
- Average number of Special Olympics athletes per family......1
Family participation
- Spectator at Games...............84%
- Family activities at Games...............78%
- Fund raising...............53%
- Chaperone at events...............51%
- Transportation providers...............51%
- Volunteer coach...............48%
- Family committees...............46%
- Percentage of certified coaches...............27%
- Coaches training...............22%
- Family home training...............22%
- Family dinners and picnics...............20%
- Games Management Team...............11%
- Family camps...............9%
- Speech presentations for Outreach...............8%
- Booster clubs...............6%
Athlete and family growth
- Families reporting improvement of their child's self image...............97%
- Families reporting a new dimension on happiness for the family through Special Olympics...............91%
- Families reporting that Special Olympics is a good support group for the family...............100%
- Families sharing in the accomplishments of their child in Special Olympics...............99%
(statistics gathered using a 1995 Special Olympics families' survey)
Support organizations working with Special Olympics...
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