Eligibility

Special Olympics training and competition is open to every person with intellectual disabilities who is at least eight years of age and who registers to participate in Special Olympics as required by the general rules.

Age Requirements   

There is no maximum age limitation for participation in Special Olympics.  The minimum age requirement for participation in Special Olympics is eight year of age.  Children who are six and seven years old can participate in our “Under 8, Can’t Wait" Training Program in areas where it is available.  In 2008 we hope to also offer “Young Athletes” a sports play program for children ages 2 ½ through 7.  However, no child may participate in Special Olympics statewide competitions before his or her eigth birthday.

Degree of Disability

Participation in Special Olympics training and competition is open to all persons with intellectual disabilities who meet the age requirements, regardless of the level or degree of that person’s disability, and whether or not that person also has other mental or physical disabilities, so long as that person registers to participate in Special Olympics as required by the General rules.

Identifying Persons with Intellectual Disabilities

A person is considered to have 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:

• the person has been identified by an agency or professional as having intellectual disability for purposes as determined by their localities;or

 

• the person has a cognitive delay, as determined by standardized measures such as intelligent quotient or “IQ” testing or other measures that are generally

the person has a cognitive delay, as determined by standardized measures such as intelligent quotient or “IQ” testing or other measures that are generally accepted within the professional community in that accredited program’s nation as being a reliable measurement of the existence of a cognitive delay; or

• the person has a closely-related developmental disability.  A “closely-related developmental disability” means having functioning limitations in both general learning (such as IQ) and in adaptive skills (such as in recreation, work independent living, self-direction, or self care).

However, persons whose functioning limitations are based solely on a physical, behavioral, emotional disability or a specific learning or sensory disability,are not eligible to participate as Special Olympics athletes but may be eligible to volunteer (such as a Unified Partner ®).

Preserving Flexibility in Identifying Eligible Athletes         

As an accredited program Special Olympics Arizona may grant permission from to depart from the eligibility requirements specified above if there are exceptional circumstances that warrant such a departure.  Such Requests must be submitted to SOAZ in writing.  SOAZ will consider such requests promptly, but shall have the final authority to determine whether any departure or exception is appropriate.

To Register as an Athlete

To register must complete and submit the Medical/Parental Release Form that is listed at the top of this page. Please click on the icon for this form so that you can download , complete, and submit the form.

Athlete Interest Form

To receive information and learn more about our programs, please complete and submit the Athlete Interest Form. The information that you provide will let us know who you are and what you are interested in. We'll get back to you with the information you need.