Special Olympics Michigan Unified Champion Schools is an education and sports-based strategy powered by an engaged student community that breaks down the barriers that separate students with and without intellectual disabilities. The Unified movement activates youth, engages educators, and promotes school communities of acceptance and inclusion where all young people are agents of change. It aims to increase athletic and leadership opportunities for students with and without intellectual disabilities.
The three components of Unified Champion Schools are Inclusive Student Leadership, Unified Sports, and Whole School Engagement. All three areas are crucial to shift the culture of a school towards inclusion.
Inclusive Student Leadership
Inclusive student leadership is an all-embracing leadership club for every student leading their school in the advancement of inclusion.
Unified Sports
Unified Sports bring together students with and without intellectual disabilities as teammates training and competing together in inclusive sports.
Whole School Engagement
Whole School Engagement promote inclusion and bullying prevention to an entire school population through engaging, creative and interactive events.
We understand how important it is for Special Olympics Michigan to collaborate with educators to identify what role Unified Champion Schools can play in meeting state, district and individual school's strategic goals; whether it is promoting school climate, developing physical fitness, building character, preventing bullying; enhancing student engagement, or any other important school reform.
A Unified Champion School has an understanding that this is not just an incident or event that happens for one day, or a single experience, but rather year-long in all seasonal activities. In a Unified Champion School there is an expectation that acceptance and inclusion are everyday occurrences that change entire schools and impact the whole student body.
The 2020-2021 State Youth Activation Committee (YAC) will be working on spreading acceptance and inclusion virtually in their regions, planning the Unified Day rally, and taking part in various leadership and speaking engagements throughout the year. Applications are no longer being accepted for the 2020-2021 school year.
As schools around Michigan and the nation strive for a culture of inclusion and acceptance within hallways, the MHSAA and Special Olympics Michigan continue to grow their partnership by building inclusive school communities through sports. To learn more about the MHSAA, click here.
Howell High School has been named to the 2020 ESPN Honor Roll for its efforts in promoting an inclusive school culture for students with intellectual disabilities. Howell is the only Michigan school, and one of only 36 schools nationwide, to make the list.
Programs are run through schools, community centers, and other places all over the state. Look at the list of locations where this program is offered below to find the location nearest you.
