Pp general orientation

Inspire Greatness Special Olympics South Dakota1

General Orientation

WELCOME!


General Orientation Overview

l Special Olympics history, mission, philosophy and visionl Organizational structurel Eligibilityl Intellectual disabilities l Similarities and differences from other sports organizationsl Demographicsl Sports rulesl Effective trainingl Benefits


A Historical Perspective

l 1962 - The concept of Special Olympics was born when Eunice Kennedy Shriver started a day camp at her home for people with intellectual disabilities. Thirty-five athletes were in attendance.

l 1968 - The First International Special Olympics Games were held in Chicago's Soldier Field. One thousand athletes from 26 U.S. states and Canada competed in athletics, floor hockey and aquatics.

l 1969 - Through the leadership of Sioux Falls teacher Lyle Farrand, Special Olympics South Dakota was born.

l 1970 - Team South Dakota attended its first International Games.

l 1977 - The first International Winter Games were held in Steamboat Springs, Colorado.

l 2003 - The first World Games held outside of the USA took place in Dublin, Ireland.

l 2006 – The first Nation Games held in Ames, Iowa


The Mission

The mission of Special Olympics is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.


Philosophy

l Special Olympics is founded on the belief that people with intellectual disabilities can, with proper instruction and encouragement, learn, enjoy and benefit from participation in individual and team sports.

l Special Olympics believes that consistent training is essential to the development of sports skills, and that competition among those of equal abilities is the most appropriate means of testing these skills, measuring progress and providing incentives for personal growth.


Philosophy Cont.

l Special Olympics believes that through sports training and competition, people with intellectual disabilities benefit physically, mentally, socially and spiritually; families are strengthened; and the community at large, both through participation and observation, is united in understanding people with intellectual disabilities in an environment of equality, respect and acceptance.


Vision

Special Olympics is an unprecedented global movement which, through quality sports training and competition, improves the lives of people with intellectual disabilities and, in turn, the lives of everyone they touch.


Organizational Structure of Special Olympics, Inc. (SOI)

Special Olympics, Inc.Board of Directors

SOI HeadquartersWashington, DC

Asia-PacificAfrica Europe-

EurasiaNorth

AmericaLatin

AmericaMiddle EastNorth Africa

USAMexico Canada Caribbean

South Dakota(One of 51 programs in the USA)

Special Olympics currently serves more than 1.7 million persons with intellectual disabilities in more than 200 programs in more than 150 countries.


A Pyramid Dynamic

Each entity is governed by an organizational body and serves specific functions under the guise of SOI.

Special Olympics, Inc. (SOI)

Special Olympics North America (SONA)

North Central Region

Special Olympics South Dakota (SOSD)

Local Programs


Competition

l Athletes who meet specified training requirements are eligible for Local, Area and State Games.

l Athletes eligible for National and World Games and are chosen by a random draw.

World Summer & Winter Games

National Games

State Games

Area Games

Local Games


Organizational Structure of Special Olympics South Dakota (SOSD)

SOSD is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors comprised of 15 to 30 members. State staff consists of four full-time employees and one half-time employee. The State Office is located in Sioux Falls.

Board ofDirectors

Development Director

Sports Director

Office Manager

Special Events Director

CEO/ExecutiveDirector

Local Programs

State Organizing Committees

Area Competition Coordinators

Law Enforcement Torch Run Liaison

Volunteer Coordinator


Eligibility Requirements

Potential Athletes must:l Be identified as having an intellectual disability

or a closely related developmental disability.l Be eight years of age or older.l Be registered with the SOSD State Office (A valid

Application for Participation i.e., Medical Release Form, must be on file)

l Complete mandatory training requirements.l Submit the appropriate registration materials by the

designated due dates for each event.


Intellectual Disabilities

How common are they?l 300 million people worldwidel 7.5 million people in USl 7 times more prevalent than deafnessl 9 times more prevalent than cerebral palsyl 15 times more prevalent than total blindnessl 35 times more prevalent than muscular

dystrophy


Special Olympics is Like Other Sports Organizations

l We follow the National Governing Body rules of each sport.

l Athletes train prior to competition.l Qualified coaches train

participants.


Special Olympics Differs from Other Sports Organizations

l Sports are adapted to allow athletes of all ability levels to participate.

l Athletes compete in divisions made up of individuals with equal ability levels. (typically no less than 3 and never more than 8)

l All participants receive an award.l Advancement to higher levels of competition (World

and National Games) is done by random draw.l Athletes and family members are not charged a fee to

participate.


Demographics

South Dakota is divided into three Areas:North East (NE): Aberdeen, Huron, Milbank,

Mobridge, Redfield, Watertown and surrounding communities

South East (SE): Brookings, Mitchell, Sioux Falls, Vermillion, Winner, Yankton and surrounding communities

Black Hills (BH): Belle Fourche, Custer, Hot Springs, Rapid City, Spearfish, Sturgis and surrounding communities


Area Competitions

l The following competitions take place within these three Areas:v Aquaticsv Basketballv Traditional Bowlingv Unified Bowlingv Spring Games (A fourth Spring Games is held in

Mission)


Area Event Coordination

l Communities are awarded Area competitions based on interest.

l An Area Competition Coordinator (ACC) is hired for each event. Responsibilities include volunteer recruitment, coordination and site procurement. ACC’s report directly to the State Office.

l The State Office processes all registrations.


State Competitions

l SOI recognizes 26 Olympic type events (Summer and Winter). Of these, athletes in South Dakota participate in:v Aquaticsv Basketballv Traditional Bowlingv Unified Bowlingv Equestrianv Softballv Summer Games


State Event Coordination

l Communities are awarded state competitions based on interest and a bid process.

l State Staff recruit and work closely with local Games Organizing Committees.

l The State Office processes all registrations.


World Summer Games

l 1968 Chicago, Illinoisl 1970 Chicago, Illinoisl 1972 Los Angeles, Californial 1975 Mt. Pleasant, Michiganl 1979 Brockport, New Yorkl 1983 Baton Rouge, Louisianal 1987 South Bend, Indianal 1991 Minneapolis, Minnesotal 1995 New Haven, Connecticutl 1999 Raleigh, Durham & Chapel Hill, North Carolinal 2003 Dublin, Irelandl 2007 Shanghai, China


World Winter Games

l 1977 Steamboat Springs, Coloradol 1981 Stowe, Vermontl 1985 Park City, Utahl 1989 Reno, Nevadal 1993 Salzburg, Austrial 1997 Toronto, Canadal 2001 Anchorage, Alaskal 2005 Nagano, Japanl 2009 Boise, Idaho


Sports Rules

l The Special Olympics Sports Rules govern all Special Olympics sports competitions worldwide. International Sports Federations and National Governing Bodies rules are employed except when they are in conflict with the Special Olympics Sports Rules. In those cases, the Special Olympics Sports Rules shall apply.

l The Special Olympics Sports Rules are the result of recommendations and the practical experience of thousands of coaches, volunteers, Special Olympics athletes and their families worldwide. The rules have been developed to provide for the widest range of abilities so each athlete has a reasonable chance to win.


Sports Rules cont.

l The fundamental difference that sets Special Olympics competitions apart from those of other sports organizations is divisioning — athletes of all ability levels are encouraged to participate, and every athlete is recognized for his or her performance. Competitions are structured so that athletes compete with other athletes of similar ability in equitable divisions.


Divisioning

l Step 1: Divide Athletes by GenderDivide athletes into two groups based upon gender. Female athletes will compete against other female athletes, male athletes against other male athletes. When a relay team consists of both male and female athletes, the team is considered a "male" team and competes in a male division.

l Step 2: Divide Athletes by AgeThe next step is to divide the group by athlete's ages which will be determined by the athlete's age on the opening date of the competition. Age Groups 8-11 * 12-15 * 16-21 * 22-29 * 30+

l Step 3: Divide Athletes by AbilityTo complete the divisioning process, divide the group according to their performance marks. In some instances age groups need to be broadened. In those cases, athletes within the new age groups will be re-ranked and grouped into divisions. This process must be repeateduntil the highest and lowest scores within each division are as similar as possible.


Unique Programs

l Special Olympics also offers the Motor Activities Training Program (MATP) for persons with severe limitations who do not yet possess the physical and/or behavioral skills necessary to participate in official Special Olympics Sports.

l Special Olympics Unified Sports® brings together athletes with and without intellectual disabilities to train and compete together.


Training Effectively

l General Characteristics of a person with an Intellectual Disability: Processing and learning occurs at a slower rate; attention span is short; onset before the person turned 18.

Training strategies to affect learning:1. Train for short periods of time. 2. Provide repetition (key to athlete gaining new skill

development). 3. When training, think of athletes as literal thinkers.


Additional Training Strategies

1. Provide clear and continuous transitions 2. Establish routines (enforce concept of flexibility) 3. Build on successes

Resistance to change

1. Establish eye contact when talking 2. Use signs, pictures or American Sign Language 3. Demonstrate what is desired

Deaf

1. Use many verbal cues 2. Provide action-specific feedback 3. Hand-over-hand demonstration may be needed

Blind

1. Train for short periods of time 2. Provide repetition and review (key to gaining new skill) 3. Work one-on-one (gain full attention)

Short attention span

1. Allow for additional time to express thoughts 2. Use picture boards/other assistive devices 3. Ask him or her to demonstrate or show what he/she means

Verbal communication difficulties or not at all


Minimum Training Requirements

l Special Olympics athletes are required to participate in a structured training program before competing in any competition.

l Minimum training requirements are 15 hours over an eight-week period.

l Head Coaches are required to sign a “Certificate of Training” form before each state event confirming that training has occurred.


Benefits to Athletes

l Improved strength, stamina and motor skills.l Improved self-esteem and self confidence.l Makes for healthier and more skilled employees.l Greater independent participation in the community.l According to a Yale University study (1995),

increases in performance at work, school and home correspond directly with the length of time an athlete spends in a Special Olympics program.


Benefits to Families

l The building of pride as they share in the accomplishments of their children.

l Allows the extended family to be involved in year-round sports training and competition.

l The sharing of Special Olympics joy with other families.


The Spirit of Special Olympics

On her way to the Opening Ceremonies of the first Special Olympics World Games, Eunice Kennedy Shriver wrote the final draft to anathlete oath. In front of the many spectators and visitors, Shriver memorably opened the Games with these words: "In ancient Rome,the gladiators went into the arena with these words on their lips:

'Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.'

"Today, all of you young athletes are in the arena. Many of you will win, but even more important, I know you will be brave, and bring credit to your parents and to your country. Let us begin the Olympics. Thank you."


For More Information:

Contact the Special Olympics State Office:

305 West 39th St.Sioux Falls, SD 57105

Phone: 605.331.4117 ** 1.800.585.2114Twila Nicholson-HansenOffice [email protected]

Todd BradwischTorch Run [email protected]

Katie O’BrienVolunteer [email protected]

Johna ThumSpecial Events [email protected]

Melanie FroschSports [email protected]

Darryl NordquistCEO/ Executive [email protected]

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