Special Olympics Hawaii offers year-round sports training and athletic competition to children and adults with intellectual disabilities. More than 1,500 athletes, from around the state, benefit from participation in the program.
Special Olympics athletes are men, women, boys and girls with intellectual disabilities. They are like other athletes. They train and compete. They learn to win and to lose. They strive to do their best. They inspire us.
Training and competition opportunities are available for every athlete, regardless of gender, age or ability. No matter what their ability level may be, athletes can benefit from Special Olympics.
Philosophy:
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.
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.
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.
