Special Olympics
Mission
Special Olympics Mission
...to provide sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for persons eight years of age and older with mental retardation or developmental disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.
To compete in a meet or event, the athlete must have a complete athlete enrollment/medical release form submitted and on file by the head coach in the area office and have access to training sessions for an individual skills assessment to determine athlete events and develop the skills required for events.
All athletes are provided two opportunities to compete in local competition prior to an area competition in each sport. To qualify for state competition, athletes must compete in events at the area level.
Upon area competition entries, the coach is given a quota of the total area entries for determination of the number of athletes allowed to compete in state competition. Birdville ISD Special Olympics State athletes are determined by age, beginning with the oldest athlete and counting down into ages until the quota is met. This determination is set to provide athletes with at least one opportunity to compete at the state level. Athletes competing at the state level are also provided additional opportunities to develop adaptive skills essential to successful life functioning. These skills include communication, self-care, social skills, community use, self-direction, and health and safety.
Contact Us
Guidelines
Eligibility Guidelines
"Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me brave in the attempt.” Eunice Kennedy Shriver
Any student enrolled with Birdville ISD who meets the following criteria:
- 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 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.
- All eligible athletes must be at least eight (8) years of age or older.
- Eligibility is limited to people who have closely related developmental disabilities such as those who have functional limitations, both in general learning and in adaptive skills such as recreation, work, independent living, self-direction or self-care. When the term “intellectual disabilities” or other similar descriptor is not used to identify the person in a local area, eligibility should be determined by whether or not the person has functional limitations in both general learning and adaptive skills. “Developmental disability” is the term most often used to describe persons with both limitations. Other terms that may be used synonymously with developmental disability are developmental handicap, developmental delay or severe disabilities.
- Students with functional limitations that are based solely on a physical, behavioral, emotional, specific learning disability or sensory disability are not eligible.
Registration/Medical Forms
Special Olympics Registration for 2024 and 2025
ALL SPORTS
Registration Link: CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Questions? Contact jackie.garrett@birdvilleschools.net
Medical Forms
Medical Forms are required for an athlete to compete and practice. The first four (4) pages must be filled out by the parent/guardian. The last two (2) pages must be completed by a physician.
Se requieren formularios médicos para que un atleta compita y practique. Las primeras quatro páginas deben ser completadas
por el padre/tutor. Las últimas dos páginas deben ser completadas por un médico.
Volunteer
If you are interested in volunteering with Birdville ISD Special Olympics and are a parent, friend, family or community member please fill out a volunteer form through the district website. We are always looking for energetic and encouraging people. Middle and high school students can earn volunteer hours to be applied to National Honor Society or other organizations, and may be reflected on your college applications. We would love your help encouraging our athletes to do their best and try the hardest!
Volunteers contribute to athletes in the following ways:
- coach athlete on form and technique for their event
- recording times/distances in events
- aide in stretches and warm ups
- encourage athlete to do their best and have fun
- aide athlete in orienteering from event to event
- cheering and making signs for athlete
- taking photos for Special Olympics website
- develop new friendships with athletes and other volunteers
- become a Unified Partner and compete in certain events/sports with your athlete
If you would like more information on volunteering or have any questions please email
Head of Delegation
Jackie Garrett