For the past 18 years, Special Olympics athletes, leaders, and family members converged in Washington D.C. for the annual Special Olympics Capitol Hill Day. Special Olympics athletes from across the nation hold face-to-face meetings with their Congressional representatives to advocate for continued federal support for critical health and education services provided by Special Olympics. These services transcend the playing field and transform the lives of athletes and families, bringing inclusion and greater acceptance of all abilities to classrooms across the country and providing essential health care that is otherwise often unavailable due to the lack of trained health care providers and facilities.
Special Olympics athlete-advocates educate lawmakers and their staffs about the significant consequences that arise from the stigma and stereotypes that people with intellectual disabilities face and how that impacts their lives in the areas of sports, health care, education, and employment. The goal is to effectively convey the high-impact and cost-effectiveness of Special Olympics’ evidence-based programming that addresses these issues, and to secure continued support from legislators.
This year's event will take place virtually, where athletes and Congressional representatives will meet face-to-face online.
