Special Olympics Arizona’s Inclusive Health initiative is committed to supporting the overall well-being of individuals with intellectual disabilities—both on and off the field. In partnership with healthcare providers, fitness experts, and local organizations, SOAZ delivers free, year-round health and wellness programming. From preventative screenings and physical activity to advocacy and access to inclusive care, we work to reduce health disparities and empower every athlete to live a healthier, more active life.
There is often a misconception that the poor health of people with ID is due to their disability. Research has shown that it is in fact a result of a breakdown in health education, health promotion, and health care. Special Olympics Arizona’s Health Program works to address these problems to improve the health of our athletes. SOAZ focuses on the basic health, wellness, and education for persons with ID, as well as improving access to quality health care year round for athletes in their own communities.
In 2016, Special Olympics Arizona received the Golisano Health Leadership Award and was recognized as a Healthy Community and joined a community with over 21,825 healthcare professionals and students to provide ongoing, community-based care for patients with intellectual disabilities. Healthy Communities is a model Special Olympics Health program made possible by the Golisano Foundation and addresses the severe health disparities faced by people with intellectual disabilities through immediate and long-term solutions.
The Healthy Athletes Program provides free health screenings, education, and follow-up care for Special Olympics athletes in a welcoming, fun, and inclusive environment. All while changing the way future health professionals interact with people with intellectual disabilities.
Despite a mistaken belief that people with intellectual disabilities receive the same or better health care than others, they typically receive sub-standard care or virtually no health care at all. For every ten athletes on a Special Olympics team:
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With nearly a decade of proven success, Special Olympics Arizona’s inclusive health education program, Healthy LEAP, allows people with and without intellectual disabilities to experience increased physical activity, improved daily nutrition, heightened social engagement, and better emotional well-being.
The program is modeled to include health education, class activities, and supplemental resources. Designed to be taught in a six-to-eight-week format, Healthy LEAP focuses on four pillars (chapters) of health: Physical Wellness, Nutritional Wellness, Emotional Wellness, and Social Wellness. Participating programs receive free Coach’s Playbooks with lesson plans and activities and Athlete Playbooks for each participant to take notes, complete activities, and set personal goals.
Interested in facilitating the Healthy LEAP program? Fill out our interest form and a staff member will be in touch
The Healthy Relationships Program provides free education opportunities and learning materials tailored to people with intellectual disabilities on the topics of relationships, safety and sexual health. The goal of this program is to offer information that helps people experience safe, healthy, and positive relationships with themselves and their community.
The program continues to offer:
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