Inclusive Health

Name: 2026 State Summer Games Family Call
Start: 2026-05-27T18:00:00-06:00
End: 2026-05-27T19:00:00-06:00
Location: Zoom Video

Special Olympics Colorado’s inclusive health programming focuses on improving the physical and social-emotional well-being of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) by broadening access and quality of care in health systems across the state.

Inclusive health means people with IDD are able to take full advantage of the same health programs and services available to people who do not have IDD. Currently, people with IDD 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 Colorado’s health programming focuses on improving the physical and social-emotional well-being of people with IDD by increasing inclusion in health care, wellness and health systems.

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On a Team of Ten Athletes:

8 are overweight or obese

7 have significant problems with flexibility

4 need a new prescription for eyeglasses

2 have some kind of eye disease

3 will fail a hearing test

3 have low bone density

3 have untreated tooth decay

1 needs an urgent referral to a dentist

On-going Prevention and Fitness

Expand early childhood development, ongoing physical activity, fitness, social and emotional wellness, and prevention programming for SO athletes.

Early Detection and Care Coordination

Enhance health assessments and ensure appropriate follow-up care for SO athletes.

Training the Health Workforce

Train the future and current healthcare workforce to better serve and be more inclusive of people with intellectual disabilities, including those from marginalized populations.

Transforming Health Systems

Advocate for improved healthcare for people with intellectual disabilities, at the local, regional and global levels by elevating their voices and health needs.

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FUNfitness
(physical therapy)

Fit Feet
(podiatry)

Health Promotion
(better health and well-being)

Healthy Hearing
(audiology)

Medfest
(sports physical exam)

Opening Eyes
(vision)

Special Smiles
(dentistry)

Strong Minds
(mental health)

Healthy Young Athletes
(Pediatric screening)

“”I thought getting my new glasses was great! I was really needing a new pair of glasses. I liked picking out the colors and shapes of both pairs of my new glasses.”

– Adult Male Athlete Special Olympics CO

“Strong Minds was very helpful to learn different techniques to remove stress that we face in our day to day life. Very useful for kids to learn this so that they can remove the pressure that builds up as their level of studies goes higher and higher.”

– Special Olympics CO parent of two athletes

“Both athletes thought they were receiving one new pair of regular glasses, but when they found out they were also getting sport goggles, their excitement grew tremendously. One athlete was so excited that he even wore them to Special Olympics bowling the following week!”

– Opening Eyes Provider

“As a PA student the event was such an incredible experience. I was able to gain some confidence seeing a really unique patient population, and those kiddos and their caretakers made my day. It was such a privilege and so much fun!”

– Special Olympics CO Volunteer

“I am starting to make healthy habits now using the fit five tracker that it is really helping me with eating healthy.”

– Special Olympics CO Athlete

“Strong Minds was such a success! When I was reading the prompt (about athlete coming in last place at nationals) to one of the athletes, he said “That happened to me today” and said he was having a bad day. When he left the Strong Minds room, he left with a smile on his face.”

– Strong Minds Volunteer

“We appreciate Strong Minds – as Special Needs kids experience stress and anxiety like everyone else. It’s often unrecognized or punished as a behavioral issue vs. giving them skills to cope.”

– Patsy and Connor Fox

Healthy Athletes Screenings

Special Olympics Colorado’s Healthy Athletes program offers free health exams and health information to adults and children with intellectual disabilities during select SO Colorado events. Screenings include Opening Eyes, Funfitness, Fit Feet, Health Promotion, Healthy Hearing, Strong Minds, Special Smiles, MedFest and Healthy Young Athletes. Check our event calendar for events that will include Healthy Athlete screenings.

Train 4 Life™

Physical fitness is a key part of the Special Olympics Colorado’s mission. Fitness is the state of optimal health and performance through adequate physical activity, nutrition, and hydration. In order for athletes to be fit, they must practice healthy habits year-round and lifelong. Fitness programming empowers athletes and their supporters to take charge of their own health and fitness by providing necessary education, social support, opportunities and tracking of progress.

Inclusive Health Offerings for Schools

Special Olympics Colorado offers four health programs designed for schools to implement in the classroom.

Healthy LEAP: Healthy LEAP is a free in-school 9-week inclusive health and fitness curriculum that provides students with and without disabilities necessary information and materials on physical and personal wellness, social and emotional health and prevention and risk management. LEAP lessons align with Colorado’s Department of Education Academic Health Standards and can aid in achievement of existing school goals.

Fit 5: A 10-week guide to achieving fitness and your personal best with physical activity, nutrition and hydration

High 5: A set of resources for youth ages 8 – 21 to help you take control of your own fitness by making healthy choices. Being fit means that you eat well, drink plenty of water, and move a lot every day. Fit kids feel good and have lots of energy because their bodies are strong and healthy.

School of Strength + Snack Zone: Fitness should be a part of every day. This program includes easy games that will get your students excited about working out and help teach them the importance of fitness. Encourage your students to work out with these videos regularly and track their progress in their Fitness Tracker. This offering is also packaged with a nutrition guide for students to do at home with their families.

If you are an educator in Colorado and would like to implement these health programs in your classroom(s), please contact us.

Providers:

A critical goal of Special Olympics Colorado’s health programming is to transform health systems and provide athletes with a great experience when they visit a health care provider. We would love to talk with your office or organization about inclusive health and provide resources to help you interact most efficiently with patients who have intellectual disabilities. Contact Jena Twete to learn more.