Special Olympics is a global movement of people creating a new world of inclusion and community, where every single person is accepted and welcomed, regardless of ability or disability. We are helping to make the world a better, healthier and more joyful place—one athlete, one volunteer, one family member at a time.
About Us
Special Olympics Indiana – Ripley Ohio Dearborn Counties is a proud part of the statewide Special Olympics Indiana movement, dedicated to empowering individuals with intellectual disabilities through the transformative power of sport, health, education, and leadership programs. Every day, we work to create a more inclusive world—right here in our local communities and across the globe.
Founded in 2005, our program serves as a vital part of a larger network that reaches more than 19,000 athletes across Indiana. Locally, we support children and adults with intellectual disabilities by offering year-round sports training and Olympic-style competitions in over 17 different sports—all provided at no cost to our athletes.
Our work is made possible by the dedication of over 100 volunteer coaches and supporters who give their time, energy, and heart to help our athletes thrive on and off the field.
We rely entirely on the generosity of individuals, businesses, and civic organizations to continue our mission of inclusion, acceptance, and empowerment.
Our Focus
While we currently serve over 200 local athletes, an estimated 2,500 individuals in our three-county area are eligible to participate. Our focus is on growing our programs—expanding access, enhancing support, and ensuring every eligible person has the opportunity to experience the joy, confidence, and community that Special Olympics offers.
Intellectual disability knows no boundaries, and neither does our commitment to inclusion.
Our Mission
To provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, offering them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.
Our Vision
Our vision is an inclusive world for all, driven by the power of sport, through which people with intellectual disabilities live active, healthy and fulfilling lives.
Our Goal
The goal of Special Olympics Indiana – Ripley Ohio Dearborn Counties is for all persons with intellectual disabilities to have the chance to become useful and productive citizens who are accepted and respected in their communities.
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About Special Olympics Indiana
Special Olympics Indiana is a nonprofit organization that is a part of the global Special Olympics movement, using sport, health, education and leadership programs every day around the world to end discrimination against and empower people with intellectual disabilities.
Founded in 1969, Special Olympics Indiana is one of more than 50 Special Olympics affiliates in North America. Our program has grown to include more than 19,000 athletes and Unified partners with the support of more than 10,000 coaches and volunteers throughout the state.
Special Olympics Indiana receives no federal or state-appropriated funds, is not a United Way Agency, and relies entirely on corporate, civic and individual donations.
At the core, Special Olympics is a sports organization that uses the power of sport as a catalyst for social change. Through sport, we challenge society. By highlighting how the needs of people with ID are not being met, we expose inequity and exclusion. By drawing attention to the gifts of people with ID, we break down misperceptions and tackle negative attitudes.
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About Special Olympics International
Special Olympics International was created by the Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. Foundation for the benefit of persons with intellectual disabilities.
Founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the global Special Olympics movement is distinct in its vision to empower all people with intellectual disabilities to realize their full potential and develop their skills through year-round sports training and competition. According to the World Health Organization, approximately 170 million people, or 3 percent of the world’s population, have intellectual disabilities — the largest disability population in the world. Intellectual disability knows no boundaries. It cuts across the lines of racial, ethnic, educational, social and economic backgrounds, and it can occur in any family.
With the unifying power of sports at its core, Special Olympics has grown to be a movement not about “them,” but about all of “us.” We are a movement that invites the world to think, feel and act differently about everything. We believe in creating more unified communities — places where each person regardless of ability or disability, is accepted, respected and welcomed, and where each individual contributes to the strength and vibrancy of the whole.
