Sarah Fernandez

Professor Dillon

PTA 1500

Feb 12, 2019

Special Olympics Utah

The purpose of this report is to provide information to people that are not aware

of organizations and agencies that are available to them. A problem that many people

face is the cost of organizations, and activities. Many people are not aware of different

organizations that offer helpful, and beneficial opportunities for families with low

income. The Special Olympics Utah is to provide year round sports training and

competitions for adults and kids with intellectual disabilities giving them opportunities

to develop a source of physical fitness. There was two ways in order to get in contact

with this organization, which was by email, and by phone. The number for this

organization is 801-363-1111 and ask for a receptionist this place is located in 1400 S

Foothill DR #238 Salt Lake City, Utah 84108.

The chapter of this organization started in 1971, and was operated for Utah

citizens with intellectual disabilities. The main reason to this organization with sports is

because sports are transformative. The athletes are able to develop motor and

communication skills, discover new strengths and abilities. The activities that are

provided are also able give the athletes an experience of joy and satisfaction of
completing goals. These activities that are provided are a year round programs, to make

sure that the athletes are able to improve, practice, and develop new skills.

The major services provided special olympics Utah is mainly dedicated to

empowering individuals with intellectual disabilities to become fit. Currently they offer

about seven olympic style individual and team sports and a program called Motor

Activities Training. The first program usually starts off in January snowshoeing, then in

February and March with basketball. Utah also offers Unified Sports, which is where

individuals with and without intellectual disabilities with similar age compete and train

on the same team. These programs are only available to the clients/patients in special

olympics Utah. In order to be part of the special olympics Utah there is a few steps to

follow. The first is the athlete must be at least eight years old or older, there must be a

visit to a medical professional and forms needs to be filled out. The medical professional

will ask questions to indicate that the athlete is intellectual disabled and then they

pursue with filling out more forms.

While continuing the research there are no physical therapists working on the

site of the special olympics utah mainly coaches, however they are able to contact

physical therapist since it is a physical environment, and in case of injuries as well. To

the fellow people that are going into physical therapy something that is important to

know about this organization is that all the programs that the athletes are doing is

physical. Even if the organization does not offer physical therapy it is always a good way

to ask different organization if they do. To other healthcare providers, this organization

might not offer the same materials, however it is always a great way to check in with the
organization because they do accept volunteers as well. For the caregivers this is a great

way for the patients that have disabilities to try this program's out if they like physical

activities. This organization will benefit patients, because if a patient is has a disability

but enjoy sports this organization is great for them. Many families will try to find

different places for their child, or family member with a disability but won’t be able to

find an organization that is good. The special olympics Utah offers a team with or

without intellectual disability and it is perfect for someone who was injured or doing

physical therapy to go into something with the same age group.

This organization has about on average 1,700 individuals with intellectual

disabilities, and about 250 without that are in the Unified Sports. Since this

organization has been around a long time it is still offering more programs, and is able

to have financial support by donations, and volunteers that are helping. The volunteers

contribute about 90,000 hours annually on in and out state competitions. There are

coaches as well that help with the athletes to develop communication and strength

skills, these coaches are trained as well.

There are different programs that are offered as well, during the state

competitions athletes and partners participate in Healthy Athletes clinics to make sure

that the athletes are at their best during the competitions. Volunteer clinics conduct

exams for Opening Eyes, Special Smiles, Healthy Hearing, Fun Fitness, Health

Promotions and MedFest. With these that are offered the eligible athletes also are able

to receive free eyeglasses, show inserts and referrals, which is amazing. With the clinics
physical therapists are able to conduct exams, just depending whether the clinics are

willing to do it.

The reason why this organization is unique and wonderful is because the main

focus is to focus on individuals with intellectual disabilities; not only with that disability

they also offer another program without the disability. There is no cost of the athletes

and also with the Unified Sports partners, there are a varied of programs for different

skill levels. These athletes are able to compete with other athletes with their same age

and with the same disabilities. This is a great organization for families that are looking

for a sort of activity for their kids, and family members or people they know. There is no

charge, and it is a great way in order to gain new skills. This organization is a great way

to also volunteer and to see how everything is, I wasn’t able to volunteer, but after

gathering my research and gathering information I am interested in volunteering to see

how everything is. To see how the athletes are able to develop new skills, and see how

they are with others while competing. Therefore, this organization many people should

look into it for their kids or people that they know that might be eligible with this

organization, especially on what this organization has to offer.