Special Olympics New York, Inc.

Started in 1970, the New York chapter of Special Olympics has 70 full-time employees working in nine regions across the state. In 2022, our team served over 42,000 athletes as they trained and competed in 22 different sports. Although athletic competition is our primary focus, we are more than just sports. Our athletes develop communication, teamwork and leadership skills that make them more successful in school and at work, they grow friendships that last a lifetime, and they gain confidence that helps them achieve any goal they set.

SONY offers several key activities that encourage comprehensive engagement among our athletes, their families, and the community starting from the age of 2. Through our school-based programming, our volunteer coaches introduce the fundamentals of sport and play in an inclusive and welcoming environment that includes children with and without ID. Our Community Training Clubs provide adult athletes with the opportunity to train and compete at a high level in any Special Olympics sport, ensuring our inclusive programs are available to individuals with ID of any age.

SONY also provides opportunities for athletes to develop leadership skills through our Athlete Leadership Council program and receive quality health care, health education and inclusive fitness strategies from volunteer medical professionals at our major competitions. Each of SONY’s programs and activities are offered to our participants at zero cost.

In 2022, Western and Genesee Regions served 4,017 athletes across three sport seasons with the help of hundreds of dedicated coaches and volunteers.

To provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-style sports for all children and adults with intellectual disabilities giving 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.