Special Olympics Health, made possible by the Golisano Foundation, and in the United States in collaboration with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is creating a world where people with intellectual disabilities (ID) have every opportunity to be healthy.
Inclusive health means people with ID are able to take full advantage of the same health programs and services available to people who do not have ID. Currently, people with ID face significant challenges in accessing quality health care and obtaining opportunities that promote fitness and wellness, resulting in pronounced health disparities and reduced life expectancy. Special Olympics’ health programming focuses on improving the physical and social-emotional well-being of people with ID by increasing inclusion in health care, wellness and health systems for Special Olympics athletes and others with ID.
Few training programs for health care professionals include curriculum on caring for people with intellectual disabilities, resulting in a workforce that may be unprepared to treat this population. This may lead health professionals to misattribute symptoms to the disability rather than the physical cause, resulting in inadequate and/or delayed treatment. This lack of training is a significant barrier to achieving equitable health for people with intellectual disabilities.
In response, Special Olympics developed training for healthcare providers on working with people with intellectual disabilities. This interactive learning experience aims to provide healthcare professionals and students with the knowledge and understanding of how to be more inclusive as it relates to health programming and services. Thank you for joining us to build a more inclusive world.
