Unified Champion Schools (UCS) | Special Olympics Oregon

Unified Champion Schools (UCS) is a movement that aims to change school communities through the power of inclusion, acceptance, and determination. UCS brings together students with and without intellectual disabilities to be leaders in their communities so that everyone can have an authentic participatory and competitive experience in school-based activities! Special Olympics Oregon UCS is aimed at promoting social inclusion at all school-aged levels from elementary to post-secondary education!

A Special Olympics Unified Champion School Consists of Three Components:

The 3 components of Unified Champion Schools: Unified Sports, Inclusive Youth Leadership and Whole School Engagement, offers a unique combination of effective activities that equip young people with tools and training to create sports, classrooms and school climates of acceptance.

“What does unified mean to me? Well, I think what it means is that I can show off my skills and how strong I really am.”

“I always like to say genuine inclusion where you know it doesn’t matter if you have a disability, if you don’t have a disability but everyone gets something out of it and everyone, we’re just friends.”

“Coaching and supporting players in Unified Basketball games has been one of the most rewarding parts of my role. Seeing proud parents moved to tears as they watch their child achieve so much, witnessing Unified partners form genuine friendships with Special Olympics athletes, and watching teams play with respect—not dominance—fills me with pride.”

“Unified is really special to me because I like to connect with other people.”

Ready to Promote Inclusion in Your School?

Contact ucs@soor.org for more information about getting your school involved in the activities above.