Special Olympics, Inc, Special Olympics Connecticut

Special Olympics is an international organization dedicated to empowering individuals with intellectual disabilities to become physically fit, productive and respected members of society through sports training and competition.

Founded in 1968, Special Olympics offers children and adults with intellectual disabilities year-round training and competition in 26 Olympic-type summer and winter sports. Special Olympics currently serves more than 1.7 million persons with intellectual disabilities in more than 200 programs in more than 150 countries.

Special Olympics Connecticut (SOCT) is one of the most innovative and dynamic chapters in the world. Headquartered in Hamden, SOCT is made up of three regional offices: Northwest, Eastern and Southwest, consisting of 86 local volunteer-run programs. In order to provide the most inclusive and meaningful school and community based sports training and competition for its 3,500 athletes with intellectual disabilities, SOCT opens its doors and offers the opportunity to an additional 1,500 athletes who train and compete as special partners alongside their peers with intellectual disabilities. Each year, SOCT hosts more than 47 competitions in 22 different sports. SOCT is also supported by a network consisting of 7,000 volunteers, 900 coaches and thousands of families and friends.