Unified Sports

Unified Sports is a course that aligns with the sports and competition schedule of Special Olympics Arizona. Partners are hand selected from a pool of applicants who have voiced a desire to volunteer and work alongside students with disabilities. Together, students with and without disabilities learn skills to succeed in sports and real-life situations. They will develop leadership skills and grow as individuals by volunteering, nurturing, adapting, and communicating in a variety of different situations, both during sports competitions and during leisure activities. In this class, students will form friendships in a safe and natural way, while interacting with students of all abilities. We practice tolerance, patience, respect and inclusion campus wide. We travel to competitions in bocce ball, bowling, pickleball, floorball, cheerleading, snowshoeing, basketball, flag football, and track & field. As part of our mission to promote inclusion, we continuously educate others on tolerance and respect as positive role models in the community. As an adapted physical education course, activities are strategically planned to meet the athlete's individual fine and gross motor skills as well as social-emotional and communication goals. 

Special Olympics Arizona Mission Statement:

To provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for all 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.