ways to Volunteer

Become A Unified Partner

Unified Sports is designed to increase inclusion in the community, by breaking down barriers that have historically separated individuals with and without intellectual disabilities on the playing field.

Unified Partner

Promote Inclusion Through Sport

Special Olympics Unified Sports brings together athletes with and without intellectual disabilities to train and compete on the same team. Unified partners improve their physical fitness, sharpen their skills and learn acceptance and inclusion while participating in sports alongside their peers with intellectual disabilities. A primary goal of Unified Sports is to equalize the ability level of Special Olympics athletes with their partners and to promote inclusion through team practice and competition.

All Unified Partners are required to complete a Class A volunteer form. Individuals over the age of 18 are required to provide their social security number as they are CORI and background checked to ensure the safety and well-being of Special Olympics athletes. Individuals under 18 are required to have two non-family members write recommendations on their behalf.

1.2 million

people worldwide take part in Unified sports

82%

of family members in the United States report that athletes improved their self-esteem after participating in Unified Sports

79%

of Unified Sports teammates without intellectual disabilities report increased understanding of people with intellectual disabilities

Stories

Resources and Stories

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Boston Scientific Goes the Xtra Mile for Corporate Social Responsibility

Not often does one associate running 26.2 miles as part of a company’s philanthropic responsibility; but Boston Scientific employees are making their debut on the Special Olympics MA Xtra Mile Boston Marathon Team.

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New England Revolution Unified Team Ends the Season with 3-0 Victory Against Nashville

On Sunday, Aug. 20 the New England Revolution Unified Team won 3-0 against Nashville SC's Unified Team—ending their season on a high note.

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Robins Kaplan provides more than two decades of support to Special Olympics

Year after year, Robins Kaplan, LLP has hosted a golf tournament at the Myopia Hunt Club in Hamilton, MA. In the 22 years that the tournament has been held, over $1 million has been raised to benefit Special Olympics athletes.

unified Partners

Frequently Asked Unified Partners Questions

Couldn’t find what you were looking for? write to us at Ops@SpecialOlympicsMA.org

What are Unified partners?
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get involved as an Unified Partner

Unified Sports in Action