Inclusive Health in action
Special Olympics BC is proud to offer programs that contribute to the well-being of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
As of April 2026, Special Olympics BC's Inclusive Health programming directly reached hundreds of people with intellectual disabilities in communities across British Columbia, in addition to many more through year-round sport and fitness programs.
What is Special Olympics Inclusive Health?
Special Olympics Inclusive Health means creating a world where people with intellectual disabilities have the same opportunities and access to health care as people without intellectual disabilities, and in doing so, allow Special Olympics athletes to perform their best on and off the playing field.
These programs support their wellbeing, confidence, and success in sport and in life through health screenings, education programs, advocacy training, and fitness initiatives.
What’s happening in Inclusive Health in 2026?
As of April 2026, Special Olympics BC hosted a Health Heroes training in Victoria and Healthy Athletes screenings in Richmond and North Vancouver. This year already marked important progress, including a notable first: the introduction of bra fitting sessions for athletes. Additionally, year-round sport and fitness programs kept Special Olympics BC athletes strong and healthy across 55 communities in B.C.
Health Heroes training
Nine athletes from Victoria and Terrace took Health Heroes training on March 29, 2026 in Victoria.
Health Heroes training equips athletes with knowledge to educate their peers about best practices for healthy living. This creates a wider network of health advocates helping address the ongoing health issues faced by individuals with intellectual disabilities.
Special Olympics BC Healthy Athletes screenings
The Special Olympics Healthy Athletes program provides free, fun health screenings and education for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Through Healthy Athletes, health care professionals receive training about the specific health care concerns of people with intellectual disabilities and how to ask the right questions, helping them identify issues.
At Special Olympics Team BC Training Camps, held in Richmond January 23 to 25 and January 30 to February 1, 63 athletes received Fit Feet screenings. Fit Feet is a podiatric screening program that helps Special Olympics athletes maintain healthy feet, proper footwear, and optimal lower extremity function to enhance sports performance and daily mobility.
Almost 50 per cent of athletes screened at Fit Feet were referred for further care.
Special Olympics BC also offered its first bra fittings at the second Special Olympics Team BC Training Camp. The bra fitting program addresses gaps in women’s health, particularly around breast support in sports. This initiative emerged in eastern Canada in 2024 when Special Olympics screenings started to identify the significant discomfort and health risks caused by poorly fitting bras.
By the end of Training Camp, 26 athletes were fitted for bras by professionals.
Special Olympics BC Healthy Athletes screenings were also held at the SOBC – North Shore March Madness Basketball Tournament in West Vancouver.
At the tournament, 106 people with intellectual disabilities received 191 screenings in Health Promotion (health education), Healthy Hearing (audiology), and Special Smiles (dental). At Opening Eyes, 33 pairs of prescription eyewear given to athletes free of charge.
Thank you to our Inclusive Health supporters
Thank you to our dedicated volunteers and sponsors who make this work possible.
Here in B.C., Special Olympics BC’s Inclusive Health work is made possible by the ongoing support of our provincial partners and fundraising events, including the leading role of the Government of British Columbia, the Government of Canada, Wheaton Precious Metals, and the Golisano Foundation.