Strategic Partnership Announcement: Special Olympics International and International Federation of Adapted Physical Activity Partner to Promote Inclusive Physical Activity, Sport, and Fitness
Special Olympics International (SOI) and the International Federation of Adapted Physical Activity (IFAPA) are pleased to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) .This MOU acknowledges their shared commitment to promote collaborative strategies and activities that lead to scientific research, application of results, resource development, and professional development related to inclusive physical activity, sport, and fitness worldwide for people with intellectual disabilities. The MOU significantly expands opportunities for joint projects among SOI and IFAPA, their members, and students/future IFAPA professionals.
As part of the partnership, IFAPA members will have opportunities to support and collaborate with SOI in evaluating their sports and fitness programming, analyzing their existing health and fitness data, translating research results into SOI programming, and disseminating findings through SOI channels. The partnership will allow for stronger connections between IFAPA researchers and SOI which is important for enhancing the quality of SOI practices and ensuring that Special Olympics programming and resources are supported by evidence. SOI and IFAPA are committed to fostering communication among IFAPA members and exploring opportunities for collaboration including attending and/or co-presenting at each organization’s conferences/symposia (eg: Special Olympics Research and Evaluation Seminar Series), funding proposals, and/or involving members on committees or advisory boards. To learn more or ask a question, please share your inquiry via this link.
About Special Olympics
Founded in 1968, Special Olympics is a global movement to end discrimination against people with intellectual disabilities. We foster acceptance of all people through the power of sport and programming in education, health, and leadership. With more than six million athletes and Special Olympics Unified Sports® partners in over 201 countries and territories and more than one million coaches and volunteers, Special Olympics delivers more than 30 Olympic-type sports and over 100,000 games and competitions in a typical year.
About IFAPA
IFAPA is an international scientific organization with the fundamental purposes: to encourage international cooperation in the field of physical activity to the benefit of individuals of all abilities, to promote, stimulate and support research in the field of adapted physical activity throughout the world, and to make scientific knowledge of and practical experiences in adapted physical activity available to all interested persons, organizations and institutions.