The mission of Special Olympics Health is to provide access to preventive health programming and access to quality health care for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to improve their physical health and social and emotional well-being. Over 80% of healthcare providers are not professionally trained to treat people with intellectual disabilities.
You can Join the Revolution for Healthcare Inclusion by taking one of our free eLearning courses today! Visit https://www.specialolympics.org/health-professional-training for more information about available courses.
Instructions on how to register to take the virtual learn.specialolympics.org courses for general Health Professionals or Health Professionals interested in becoming a Clinical Director can be found here [ https://www.dropbox.com/s/ih4001fzmltz5lr/General%20health.wellness%20professional.pdf?dl=0 ]
If you are already a Clinical Director and would like to review a course on your discipline, follow the instructions here [ https://www.dropbox.com/s/yvk3b1j4c0adoxk/Howto-CreateAnAccount_HEALTH_Clinical%20Director_%20NEW.pdf?dl=0 ] to create a learn.specialolympics.org profile.
At SOGA we will hold 3 Healthy Athletes screenings in 2021. 1 at Horse Show and 2 at State Fall Games.
INDOOR WINTER GAMES
Location: Marietta, GA and Emerson, GA
Date: January 29-31, 2021 – Cancelled due to Covid-19
Healthy Athletes: Healthy Hearing
The Special Olympics Indoor Winter Games hosted every January offers Healthy Hearing. Led by volunteer professionals, Healthy Hearing also provides tests for cerumen (ear wax) and otoacoustic emissions tests.
SUMMER GAMES
2021 Summer Games Cancelled due to Covid-19
Every year at the Summer Games, Healthy Athletes offers Special Smiles, Opening Eyes, Fit Feet, and Health Promotion.
In partnership with the International Federation of Podiatrists (FIP) and the American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine, Fit Feet also provides referrals for those participating Special Olympics that require follow up services.
Led by volunteer vision care professionals, Opening Eyes is able to offer prescription eyewear, sunglasses, and sports goggles to Special Olympics athletes.
Special Smiles offers free dental screening, oral health information, and instructions on brushing and flossing properly to participating Special Olympics athletes, as well as preventative supplies like toothpaste and toothbrushes. Athletes who require follow up dental services are referred to local oral health professionals.
Health Promotion uses interactive educational tools and 
displays, motivational literature and demonstrations to heighten the awareness of athletes, reinforcing the need to improve and maintain an enhanced level of wellness and self-care.
HORSE SHOW
Location: Alpharetta, GA
Dates: May 28-29, 2021
Healthy Athletes: Fit Feet
In partnership with the International Federation of Podiatrists (FIP) and the American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine, Fit Feet also provides referrals for those participating Special Olympics that require follow up services.
FALL GAMES
Location: Valdosta, GA
Date: October 8-9, 2021
Special Smiles offers free dental screening, oral health information, and instructions on brushing and flossing properly to participating Special Olympics athletes, as well as preventative supplies like toothpaste and toothbrushes. Athletes who require follow up dental services are referred to local oral health professionals.
Led by volunteer vision care professionals, Opening Eyes is able to offer prescription eyewear, sunglasses, and sports goggles to Special Olympics athletes.
If you are interested in volunteering at a Healthy Athletes screening, or have questions regarding SOGA’s Healthy Athletes program you may contact Skylar Lunsford at (229) 256-1323.
Current Sponsors:
Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation
Dunkin Donuts Coffee