Special Olympics Oregon’s Post

⚽ ⚽ ⚽ In recent times, I’ve noticed many discussions and comments about the perceived lack of “purity” in national football teams. To me, such views are outdated and miss a more important point. Instead of fixating on these notions, we should be focusing on a more pressing issue: why are children of immigrants not given the same opportunities to “play on equal terms” in sectors outside of sports? In sports, meritocracy naturally prevails—talent, hard work, and determination are the keys to success, regardless of one’s background. But why stop at sports? We must strive to replicate this model in education, the workplace, and all other facets of life. #Meritocracy #Inclusion

🏆🌟 Embracing Diversity and Inclusion in College Sports: A Vital NCAA Endeavor 🌟🏆 As an Athletic Recruiting Specialist and President of McFarlane Athletic Recruiting Services Inc., I'm deeply committed to fostering positive change within college sports. 🤝🏀🏈 The NCAA plays a pivotal role in shaping student-athletes' futures, and we must address the challenges and opportunities regarding diversity and inclusion. 🌍🤗 🔵 Challenges: Ensuring equal access to opportunities for athletes of all backgrounds. Tackling bias and discrimination head-on. Creating a welcoming environment for LGBTQ athletes. Promoting racial and gender equity in coaching and leadership positions. 🟢 Opportunities: Diverse teams often lead to greater creativity and success. Inclusivity enhances the college experience for all student-athletes. Building bridges across cultures strengthens the sports community. Being at the forefront of change sets a positive example for society. Let's unite as a sports community, support initiatives championing diversity and inclusion, and create a brighter future for college sports in the U.S. and Canada. Together, we can achieve greatness on and off the field! 🌟🤗 #NCAA #DiversityInSports #InclusionMatters #Athletics #StudentAthletes #ChangeMakers

The tools and resources that make up The Belonging Playbook are organized into three main sections: Promoting Diversity Fostering Inclusion Removing Barriers to Participation Learn more and access the free resources here: https://lnkd.in/etRZt5Xb

Inclusive youth sports organizations not only provide a sense of belonging for young people, but also serve as valuable platforms for community integration and development. Giving youth an opportunity to participate in sport helps prevent them from engaging in other risky behaviours, including gang involvement and substance abuse. As the founder of Motion Ball Sports, Chris Campbell shares his personal journey and the vital role of diverse volunteers in engaging racialized and immigrant communities. Through mentorship and sports programs, MBS empowers youth to excel both on and off the court, fostering academic development and personal growth. Similarly, Hockey 4 Youth Foundation/Fondation hockey pour les jeunes (H4Y) is breaking barriers and promoting inclusivity by providing newcomers with the chance to play hockey. With support from volunteers, including university students and teachers, H4Y creates a safe and welcoming environment where young athletes can flourish. Our sincere thanks to everyone who contributed to this important article. #community #youth #empowerment #inclusion #diversity #sports #mentorship #leadership #opportunity #volunteerism #education #development #integration #success #growth #inspiration #transformation #teamwork #progress #gratitude

Arm yourself with knowledge to advocate for transgender rights. Opponents of transgender athletes argue that it is unfair for transgender women to compete against cisgender women. However, they conveniently ignore the transgender men competing on cisgender men's teams who also excel and neglect to mention those who do not win championships or place in collegiate athletics. Check out this list of 39 transgender student-athletes who have competed openly in college and prove that transgender athletes deserve the same opportunities as their cisgender peers. #TransgenderRights #Equality #AthleteEquality

It's disheartening to witness a young girl being excluded from her favorite sport, especially when it goes against the principles of human rights and the UN Conventions regarding disability. We believe in the power of sports to bring people together, regardless of their abilities. This decision not only disappoints us, but it also raises questions about the fairness and inclusivity of such actions. Hockey is a sport that should be open to everyone, regardless of their background or abilities. Excluding someone based on a disability not only denies them the opportunity to enjoy the sport they love but also perpetuates harmful stereotypes. We stand united against such discriminatory practices, advocating for equal access and opportunities for all. Sports are about passion, camaraderie, and personal growth. Every individual should have the chance to experience the thrill of the game, learn valuable life lessons, and build lasting friendships. In a game where even those without disabilities face the risk of injury, the argument against inclusion simply lacks common sense. Let's raise our voices against exclusion, champion inclusivity, and remind everyone that sports should be a space where everyone can thrive. Let's work together to create an environment where every young girl, regardless of her abilities, can proudly step onto the hockey rink and embrace the joy of the game. #InclusionMatters #EqualOpportunities #SportsForAll #HumanRightsInSports

Following #PrideMonth, take a look at this blog from our Head of Governance and EDI, Vijaya Panangipalli, on the work we've done and what we can all do moving forward 🌈 ⬇⬇

A great article which shines a light on the power of communities when we change our environments to enable all people to get involved and achieve their potential 💪 #inclusionmatters #leadershipmatters

As someone with a speech limitation, public speaking has always been a challenge for me. A professor once advised me to write my arguments if I aspired to be a litigator. Yet, God has continually provided me with incredible opportunities to speak in public, offering the strength I need. Last Saturday, I had the honor of pitching my ideas in front of a remarkable jury during the Inaugural #AdaptandThrive Leadership Course organized by U.S. Soccer Federation National Extended Teams and Integrated Dreams. As part of this course, we were tasked with developing an individual project to contribute to the growth of adaptive soccer, accessibility, and disability representation in the US. I've chosen to lead the creation of a Disabled Supporters Association, starting as a focus group collaborating with various stakeholders. The goal is to enhance the game day experience for fans with disabilities in upcoming soccer tournaments in the US, Mexico, and Canada. I believe this project aligns perfectly with my purpose at Adapt The Game. This pitch was a significant milestone for me, the first one without slides, and it went exceptionally well. I'd like to share three recommendations that greatly contributed to my success: * Know your audience/panel. * Be mindful of their accessibility needs; always ask how you can better accommodate your presentation. * If you have a speech limitation, don't talk too fast. It's better to leave your audience with strong ideas than with a fast, meaningless presentation. Grateful for the opportunities, the strength God provides, and the exciting journey ahead. #AdaptiveSoccer #Inclusion #accessibility #publicspeakingjourney

I’m enjoying the privilege of spending 3 hours today with about 100 Special Olympians in addition to all of the people cheering them on. 3 weeks ago, I was able to spend 6 hours with over 300 Special Olympians at a basketball tournament. As we left the basketball tournament, I shared with my wife a dream I have where EVERY PERSON IN THE WORLD spends a few hours a couple times a year hanging out with people with disabilities. Why? Because I learn so many valuable life lessons that benefit my life that I can’t learn anywhere else. Wanna help my dream come true? Just attend an event or gathering of people with disabilities. You can volunteer but that’s not required. You can simply show up and “observe and learn”. What will you learn? First, you’ll be entering a diverse environment that’s non-judgmental in regard to gender, race, appearance nor any of the other roadblocks that our society tends to focus on even though those roadblocks only offer a path backwards. Secondly, you can witness the power of encouragement in action. Often, at a swim meet, it’s the person in last place that gets cheered for the loudest including by the competitors that just finished ahead of them. What a beautiful sight to witness. I hope you’ll embrace experiencing a beautiful environment to learn lessons about what a supportive society can look like and how you can personally be a part of making that happen. GiddyUp!