Building inclusive schools and communities
At Special Olympics BC, inclusion is at the heart of everything we do.
Through the joy of sport, Special Olympics BC opens hearts and minds to the skills and dignity of athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities. We change attitudes by bringing communities together to see and experience the transformative power of sport.
Here are some of the ways that schools, communities, and organizations in B.C. are teaming up with Special Olympics to create inclusion in everyday life and achieve meaningful change for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Special Olympics BC Unified Sports®
Special Olympics BC Unified Sports® bring together students with and without intellectual disabilities to compete and represent their school. The program offers competition, connection, and fun ways to build skills and inclusion.
This year, 35 schools are championing inclusion by being involved in Special Olympics BC Unified Sports!
Patricia Bruno’s son found joy and friendship in his school’s program.
Through the program, students with and without intellectual disabilities make new friends, develop skills and self-esteem, and break down barriers through inclusive sport and learning experiences.
“Confidence-wise, my son has just grown leaps and bounds,” Bruno says. “He’s really enjoying being with his friends, the atmosphere, the cheering.”
Special Olympics BC Unified Sports enables every student to become part of their school's social fabric. Every student can help create a more inclusive environment!
Special Olympics BC Unified Sports coach Megan Weeks says the program has built a strong sense of community in her school.
Get involved with Special Olympics BC Unified Sports
Interested in learning more about Special Olympics BC Unified Sports, or starting a program? Contact inclusion@specialolympics.bc.ca
Inclusion in action at the 2026 BC Winter Games
The BC Winter and BC Summer Games bring together British Columbia's emerging high-performance athletes, coaches, and officials every two years.
Year after year, they invite Special Olympics BC athletes to compete.
Special Olympics BC is thrilled to send speed skating athletes and coaches to the next BC Winter Games in Trail/Rossland from February 25 to March 1, 2026!
While not a Special Olympics event, the BC Games proudly include Special Olympics athletes competing alongside top young athletes in the province. The BC Games are separate and different from Special Olympics BC Games and Special Olympics Canada Games.
Meet the team
Our athletes will compete to the best of their ability and will proudly represent Special Olympics and their regions at the event.
Spread inclusion through Spread the Word
Special Olympics BC joins champions of inclusion around the world in celebrating the annual Spread the Word awareness day on March 4, 2026.
The campaign engages schools, organizations, communities, and champions to pledge their support of inclusion at www.spreadtheword.global and to promote inclusion, acceptance, and respect of individuals with intellectual disabilities through a variety of events and actions every day, everywhere.
Each year, we are so grateful for the inspiring champions who pledge respect during Spread the Word awareness day and all year round.