Special Olympics Texas Home
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Special Olympics Texas was created and developed to give individuals with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to train and compete in sports activities. No person shall – on the grounds of gender, race, religion, color, or national origin – be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, and/or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any program or activity of Special Olympics Texas.
Special Olympics Texas training and competition is open to every person with intellectual disabilities who is at least 8 years of age and who registers to participate in Special Olympics Texas as required by the General Rules.
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Who is eligible to participate in KISD Special Olympics Texas?
To compete in Special Olympics Texas at the local, area competition, and chapter-level competition, an athlete must be 8 years of age. A person must also be identified by an agency or professional as having one of the following:
- Intellectual disabilities; or
- Closely related development disability, which means having functional limitations in both general learning and in adaptive skills such as recreation, work, independent living, self-direction, or self-care.
According to the World Health Organization, intellectual disability is a condition of arrested or incomplete development of the mind characterized by impairment of skills and overall intelligence in areas such as cognition, language, and motor and social abilities. Intellectual disability can occur with or without any other physical or mental disorders. Although reduced level of intellectual functioning is the characteristic feature of this developmental disorder, the diagnosis is made only if it is associated with a diminished ability to adapt to the daily demands of the normal social environment.
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Are individuals with functional limitations based solely on physical, behavioral, emotional, specific learning disability or sensory disabilities eligible to participate?
No. Only individuals identified with intellectual or closely related developmental disabilities are eligible.
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What is required before my athlete can participate in Special Olympics Texas?
Each athlete must have a completed official Special Olympics Texas Medical Form (valid for three years) on file with the local delegation and the area Special Olympics Texas office, in addition to an Athlete Information Form and completed athlete’s oath.
