ATHLETE ELIGIBILITY
Individuals are eligible to participate in Special Olympics provided they are eight year of age or older, have been identified by an agency or professional as having an intellectual disability, and have a completed Application for Participation and a current Medical Form on file with the program.
As a global organization, Special Olympics has adopted “intellectual disabilities” as a widely accepted and less objectionable term for what is referred to in clinical settings as “mental retardation.” Although the movement has updated its terminology, Special Olympics continues to serve the same population and its mission remains unchanged. In the context of the Special Olympics movement, the term intellectual disabilities is synonymous with mental retardation; other terms–including cognitive delay, intellectual handicaps, learning disability, mental disabilities and mental handicaps–are used around the world.
Identifying an individual with an intellectual disability:
A person is considered to have an intellectual disability for purposes of determining his or her eligibility to participate in Special Olympics if that person satisfies any one of the following requirements:
1. Person has been identified by an agency or professional as having an intellectual disability;
2. Person has a cognitive delay, as determined by standardized measures, such as IQ testing or other measures which are generally accepted within the professional community;
3. Person has a closely related developmental disability.
A “closely related developmental disability” means having functional limitations in both general learning and in adaptive skills, such as recreation, work, independent living, self direction or self-care.
However, persons whose functional limitations are based solely on a physical, behavioral, or emotional disability, or a specific learning disability or sensory disability are not eligible to participate.
Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, donors, and volunteers who work fundraisers, there is no cost involved with Special Olympics competition participation. However, there may be a minimal fee for training depending on the sport.
On-Line Registration
On-Line Athlete Registration and Medical Forms Instructions
Please read all the instruction before beginning.
On-Line Registration User Guide for Athlete/Parent/Guardian
Link to On-Line Athlete Registration and Medical Forms
Please Note: Once you have electronically signed the Health History and Release Forms for Registration, the forms will electroncically be sent to Special Olympics Indiana. However, until the completed page 3 of the Medical Form – Physical Exam (by a healthcare professional) is received by the local Program, the athlete is not registered.
Please mail the completed Medical Form – Physical Exam to: Special Olympics Indiana -Ripley Ohio Dearborn Counties, 429 Manchester St., Aurora, IN 47001. Please do not give to a coach.
Please print, review, sign and mail the following Code of Conducts to: Special Olympics Indiana -Ripley Ohio Dearborn Counties, 429 Manchester St., Aurora, IN 47001
Athlete Code of Conduct
Code of Conduct for Families, Caregivers and Spectators
