Special Olympics "Capitol Hill Day" is an annual event in Washington, DC that brings together Special Olympics athletes, Program leaders, Unified Sports partners, and family members from across the United States and the District of Columbia to advocate for the rights of individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID) to legislators on Capitol Hill.
Special Olympics athletes, serving as self-advocates, educate lawmakers and their staff about the significant consequences that arise from the stigma and stereotypes faced by people with ID. The athlete leaders hold face-to-face meetings with Members of Congress in both the House and Senate challenging and inviting their elected officials to partner with them to achieve the goals of expanding Special Olympics Unified Sports® and Special Olympics Inclusive Health programming.
The conversations will focus on the need for more access to quality healthcare and school-based programming opportunities.
The goals of this event are to effectively convey the high impact and cost-effectiveness of Special Olympics’ evidence-based programming that addresses these issues, to educate lawmakers and to secure continued support from legislators.
This will be the 23rd year Special Olympics has hosted this event in Washington, DC.
This year, the
Florida delegation will include Athlete Leaders David Helseth from
Indian River County and Sara Parker from Pasco County along with
Special Olympics Florida staff members Justin Copertino and Savannah
Rock.
