Special Olympics Clubs – Redlands is a sports club located in Brisbane, Australia. As part of the Special Olympics network, the club provides a range of sport, recreation, social, and health opportunities for people with an intellectual disability. Their main goal is to ensure that individuals with intellectual disabilities have fun, remain healthy, build self-esteem, demonstrate courage, and make friends.
Special Olympics Australia, to which Redlands Club belongs, is part of a global sporting community for people with an intellectual disability. Started almost 50 years ago by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, sister of US President John F. Kennedy, and Rosemary Kennedy, who had an intellectual disability, Special Olympics now supports over 5 million athletes in 177 countries. In Australia, Special Olympics started in 1976 during a time when many individuals with intellectual disabilities were confined to institutions.
Although this is no longer the case, the organisation still seeks public support to ensure that people with intellectual disabilities are fully included in society. By providing opportunities to play sports, Special Olympics helps open the door to personal achievement, pride, and inclusion for these marginalised individuals.
With 850,000 people with intellectual disabilities and/or autism in Australia, and only 3,000 athletes currently participating in Special Olympics programmes, the organisation relies on public support to increase its reach and spread the joy of sports and community. Donations, volunteering, and participation are encouraged to help expand the impact of Special Olympics in empowering individuals with intellectual disabilities.
Special Olympics is often compared to the Olympics and Paralympics, as all three organisations believe in the power of sports to create a better world. While the Olympics and Paralympics focus on elite athletes, Special Olympics is a year-round multi-sports programme catering to people with intellectual disabilities of all capabilities. Special Olympics athletes also have access to robust competition pathways, including the World Games, which takes place every four years in both summer and winter sports. Unlike physical disabilities, intellectual disabilities are not always obvious, and Special Olympics aims to uncover the hidden talents of individuals with intellectual disabilities through sports.
At Special Olympics Clubs – Redlands, individuals with intellectual disabilities are provided with a supportive and inclusive environment to participate in various sports and activities. The club believes in focusing on individuals' abilities rather than their disabilities, giving them the opportunity to learn and grow at their own pace. By being a part of this club, athletes like Brittney Neill, a young athlete with autism, are empowered to concentrate on what they can do and achieve their dreams. The club recognises that it may take individuals with intellectual disabilities longer to learn and process information, but with determination and support, they can succeed in their goals.
Special Olympics Clubs – Redlands is dedicated to making the abilities of individuals with intellectual disabilities visible through sports. By providing a platform for these individuals to showcase their talents, the club aims to break down barriers and promote inclusion in the community.