1. Transition
A lifelong approach to lifelong inclusion

2. Impact. Ronny Jones SOAZ Athlete & Intern

4. Goals of Session Introduce Transition Why is this a hot topic for SOAZ
Discuss Lifelong Engagement
Present Working Transition Guide
Call to Action

5. Who is in the Room? Share with everyone your: Name
How your involved with SOAZ
What your hoping to leave the conference with
If you had a super power what would it be?

6. Join us as our Inclusive Youth Leaders lead us in a fun ice breaker!
Let’s Break the Ice
Join us as our Inclusive Youth Leaders lead us in a fun ice breaker!

7. Transition?
What does it mean and apply it to the people in the room.

8. Lifelong Engagement Program Young Athletes Program
Elementary Unified Sports
High School Unified Sports
AIA Unified Sports
College Unified Sports
Community Based Unified Sports
Age Group
2-8
8-12
12-22
22+

9. Young Athletes What is Young Athletes?
An innovative sports play program for children ages 2-7 with and without intellectual disabilities.
Designed to introduce them to the world of sports prior to Special Olympics eligibility at the age of 7 ½ .
Athletes Families Noted Improvements In:
Motor Skill Development
Cognitive Skill Development
Social Emotional Skill Development
Adaptive Skill Development
Communication Skill Development
Program Goal:
Engage children with intellectual disabilities through developmentally appropriate play activities designed to foster physical, cognitive and social development.

10. Unified Schools & Youth Leadership
What is the Vision?
The goal of Unified Champion Schools is to activate young people to develop school communities where all young people are inclusive agents of change.
Key Components of Unified Schools:
Unified Sports
AIA Unified Sports (High Schools)
Unified Sports Curriculum
Unified Clubs
Spread the Word to End the Word
Minute That Matters Challenge
Unified Champion School Status:
Unified Clubs (Youth Leadership)
Whole School Engagement

11. Unified Schools & Youth Leadership
National Banner Recognition Program
The Special Olympics National School Recognition Program provides
an opportunity for schools across the United States to be
acknowledged for their achievements with inclusion and
their partnership with Special Olympics.
Achievement Standards
Unified Sports is offered in at least 2 seasons throughout the school year
Unified Sports participation occurs regularly over the course of each sport season or school term and includes competition.
An adult coach for each sport who has received training on Special Olympics Unified Sports.
Unified Sports is officially recognized by the school in a similar style as other athletics/activities.
A Unified Club or student group offers leadership opportunities/training for students with and without intellectual disabilities.
The inclusive club/group meets at least once per month throughout the school year.
The inclusive club/group has an adult liaison and is officially recognized by the school in a similar style as other clubs/activities.
At least two whole-school engagement activities are implemented per school year
Students with and without disabilities are involved with planning and leading the awareness activities.
The school is currently self-sustainable or has a plan in place to sustain the three components into the future.

12. Unified Sports
Special Olympics Unified Sports is a fast-growing initiative that brings people with and without intellectual disabilities together on the same team to compete. SOAZ & AIA Unified Sports Vision: The main philosophy of SOAZ/AIA Unified Sports is about inclusion and recognition of the Special Olympics athletes on their high school campus. Unified Sports Curriculum: An inclusive program for elementary, middle, & high school which combines athletes and partners on sports teams for training and competition within the P.E. Classroom. Athletes and partners will receive a P.E. credit towards graduation. The Curriculum follows Arizona's P.E. State Standards and is the fastest growing Unified Sports option offered.

13. Inclusive Youth Leadership
Where can inclusive youth leadership live?
Unified Clubs
State Youth Activation Committee (State YAC)
Special Olympics Unified Leaders (SOUL)
Athlete Input Council (AIC)
What are examples of inclusive youth leadership with SOAZ?
Members of SOUL assist as Meeting Minute Coordinators with Health Leadership Committee
Members of YAC & SOUL help lead sessions/trainings at statewide conferences
Members of AIC will advocate on Hill Day

14. Whole School Engagement
What activities lead to whole school engagement?
Spread the Word to End the Word
Minute That Matters
Unified Fan Activation
Unified Arts Dance Marathon
Unified Obstacle Course *Elementary only
Who leads these activities?
Our inclusive youth leaders!

15. Community Involvement
How is my community involved with SOAZ?
Law Enforcement Torch Run
Minute That Matters
Tip-A-Cop
Torch Run
Unified Arts Program
Community-based and school-based opportunities
Fundraisers
Over the Edge
Breakfast with Champions
Local delegations & competitions

16. Health Programs Healthy Athletes Health Education Sofit
Vision (Opening Eyes)
Dental (Special Smiles)
Hearing (Healthy Hearing)
Health Promotion (Health Education)
Podiatry (Fit Feet)
Physical Therapy (FUNfitness)
Sports Physicals (Medfest)
Mental Health- New (Sport Psychology)
Health Education
Healthy LEAP
High School
Elementary
Preschool
Sofit
An 8 week fitness education and activity course designed to get athletes exercising with their teams and in the classroom.

17. Small Group Activity Let’s talk support for transition:
Question #1: What resources or ideas do you believe may encourage continuous engagement?
Question #2: How do families play a role in transition and how can SOAZ support them?
Question #3: What have we not considered in this process of understanding transition?

18. Thank you for your support for our Special Olympics Athletes & Unified Partners!