SPECIAL OLYMPICS, INC. for SPECIAL OLYMPICS, INC.

Health Issues HCR

Special Olympics Healthy Athletes and Healthy Communities programming (Healthy Athletes provides free health screenings and education for Special Olympics athletes and Healthy Communities is a recognition program within Special Olympics, working to increase access to quality health care and effective prevention programming to improve the health of people with intellectual disabilities), H.R.3409 - HEADs UP Act of 2025: The HEADs UP Act would designate people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) as a Medically Underserved Population, opening up many government programs aimed at improving access to care and reducing health disparities.

Contacted: Executive Office of the President (EOP); SENATE; Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC); Office of the Vice President of the United States; Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Bills named: H.R. 3409 (119th)

Budget/Appropriations BUD

Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools (programming aimed at promoting social inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities through intentionally planned and implemented activities affecting systems-wide change. With sports as the foundation, this three component model offers a unique combination of effective activities that equip young people with tools and training to create sports, classroom, and school climates of acceptance of people with intellectual disabilities.), Special Olympics Healthy Athletes and Healthy Communities programming (Healthy Athletes provides free health screenings and education for Special Olympics athletes and Healthy Communities is a recognition program within Special Olympics, working to increase access to quality health care and effective prevention programming to improve the health of people with intellectual disabilities)

Contacted: Education, Dept of; Executive Office of the President (EOP); SENATE; Office of the Vice President of the United States; Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Education EDU

Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools (programming aimed at promoting social inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities through intentionally planned and implemented activities affecting systems-wide change. With sports as the foundation, this three component model offers a unique combination of effective activities that equip young people with tools and training to create sports, classroom, and school climates of acceptance of people with intellectual disabilities.)

Contacted: Education, Dept of; Office of the Vice President of the United States; SENATE; Executive Office of the President (EOP); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Civil Rights/Civil Liberties CIV

H.R.3420 - Words Matter Act of 2025 - The Words Matter Act replaces more than two dozen instances of the term mentally retarded in U.S. Code with contemporary, respectful language.

Contacted: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Bills named: H.R. 3420 (119th)

Sports/Athletics SPO

2026 USA Games: The 2026 Special Olympics USA Games will be a monumental celebration of ability and inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities set against the backdrop of the Twin Cities. The mission of the Games is to create an event inclusive of people with intellectual disabilities that celebrates ability, delivers the highest quality experiences for all who participate, and leaves a legacy of positive change in Minnesota.The Games are scheduled to take place from June 20-26, 2026, at the University of Minnesota, the official host venue. In addition to the university, the event will unfold across other locations, including the National Sports Center in Blaine. The Games are expected to bring together 3,000 athletes (people with intellectual disabilities) and Unified partners (people without intellectual disabilities who play on the same team as people with intellectual disabilities) and 1,500 coaches representing all 50 states. They will engage in 16 Special Olympics team and individual sports (both traditional and Unified, where people with and without intellectual disabilities compete together). The event will be supported by a dedicated team of 10,000 volunteers with an expected audience of 75,000 fans cheering on the inspiring athletes. 2026 Special Olympics Unified Football World Cup: In 2026, for the first time, France will host the Special Olympics Unified Football World Cup in Paris. This, the third edition of the Cup, will take place 6 - 11 July across venues in the heart of Paris. There will be 24 teams, 12 men's and 12 women's teams, consisting of athletes with intellectual disabilities and Unified partners (athletes without intellectual disabilities playing on the same team as people with intellectual disabilities), competing for the Unified Football World Cup title. The Special Olympics Unified Football World Cup is more than a competition-it's a global movement proving that when we play together, we grow together. From thrilling matches and emotional victories to unforgettable stories of teamwork and determination, these footballers demonstrate that the inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities makes every team stronger.

Contacted: Executive Office of the President (EOP); Office of the Vice President of the United States; President of the U.S.; Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; SENATE; State, Dept of (DOS)