The vision of Special Olympics is clear: to create an inclusive world through the power of sports, where people with intellectual disabilities can lead active, healthy, and fulfilling lives.
Challenges in Swiss Sports
The first shadow report by Inclusion Handicap on the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities clearly shows: The dual structure in Swiss sports promotes segregation and thus hinders equal participation. This is precisely where Special Olympics Switzerland steps in.
Our contribution to implementation is outlined in a clear position statement
We have defined eight key areas of action with which we improve access to sports and create sustainable structures:
Position 1: An athlete is an athlete
Historically, athletes with intellectual and multiple disabilities have found opportunities for physical activity
and sport through special programs in institutions and sports clubs for people with disabilities. They are
seen first as “disabled” rather than as athletes.
There will always be people who, due to severe disability, cannot be regular members of a sports club. These people require individually tailored programs with diverse levels of support.
We support sports federations and their member clubs in allowing athletes with intellectual disabilities to practice sport in such clubs and participate in club life.
Position 2: National oversight
Sport in Switzerland is organized through associations for specific sports disciplines. There are currently 81
sports federations in the country. They oversee about 18,000 sports clubs. Swiss Olympic is the umbrella
organization for all sports federations.
We are committed to ensuring that athletes with intellectual disabilities have access to sports federations, are subject to their regulations and can benefit from their support.
Position 3: Transfer of competition opportunities
Most competitive sports opportunities for people with intellectual and multiple disabilities are currently not organized and hosted by the sports federations, but rather by organizers specialized in working with people with disabilities; SOSWI is one of these.
Some sports federations have begun to allow athletes with intellectual disabilities to train and compete through their member clubs. SOSWI’s role as a specialist organization includes sharing its experience and knowledge regarding this target group with sports federations and their members.
We are actively working to ensure that competitive sports programs for athletes with intellectual disabilities are organized and supported by the responsible sports federations.
Position 4: Open multi-sport events
Special Olympics Switzerland’s sport events are affirmations of humanity, joy, appreciation, openness and emotion. They provide a platform for people with intellectual and multiple disabilities.
Multi-sport events (defined as those with three or more disciplines) are held in the form of SOSWI Regional Games and National Games, in cooperation with the respective associations where possible. They pave the way for participation in the Special Olympics World Games, which take place every two years and alternate between Summer and Winter Games.
Participation in multi-sport events is open to athletes from sports federations as well as those from disability organizations and private initiatives.
We make it possible for athletes with intellectual disabilities to participate in our multi-sport events and international Special Olympics competitions
Position 5: Recognition of performance
For people with intellectual and multiple disabilities, training and competition means athletic development and individual progress. These athletes are achieving remarkable things within the scope of their abilities. They deserve recognition and have the right to be seen, supported and encouraged.
We are committed to ensuring that people with intellectual disabilities are given the recognition that they deserve for their athletic achievements as well as the support and encouragement of Swiss Olympic and the organized sports associations.
Position 6: The prerequisite of good health
A prerequisite to engaging in sports and improving one’s performance is good health. Persons with intellectual and multiple disabilities still face obstacles in navigating the Swiss health care system. They are spoken down to, not given information that they can understand, encounter structures that are not designed to meet their needs and have lower life expectations than the national average. Their access to prevention, exercise and health education resources is also greatly limited.
We strive to improve the physical, social and emotional well-being of people with intellectual disabilities and support their access to health and wellness programs and care systems.
Position 7: The right to co-determination
SOSWI is committed to ensuring that people with intellectual and multiple disabilities have the opportunity
to participate in decision-making and taking on responsibilities. At the same time, we are aware of the need
for new forms of communication, co-determination and decision-making processes. Internally, we maintain a critical view of how actual participation could take place and what it could bring.
We include people with intellectual disabilities from all levels of the organization in our decision-making and design processes with respect to their abilities and strengths.
Position 8: Recognition for caregivers
Every sports program in Switzerland depends on the involvement of dedicated people for programs for recreation, games and sports. This also applies to athletes with intellectual disabilities. In the Swiss sports system, it is difficult to find people to fulfil these duties and support them so that they do not experience failure or burn out.
We seek, promote and support people who create programs for recreation, games and sports for people with intellectual disabilities, and we are committed to their visibility, societal recognition and appreciation.
Swiss Inclusive Sport
We have a service agreement with the association Swiss Inclusive Sport, particularly with regard to the support, care, and training of mainstream sports associations, mass sports events, and other stakeholders, so that inclusive sports programs are created and have a lasting impact.
Political commitment
We are committed to implementing the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Sport and support political initiatives such as the Inclusion Initiative. This allows us to create the necessary framework to anchor our vision at the political level.