This is the February edition of the Coaches Newsletter that is shared with coaches, educators and volunteers. Be sure to follow Special Olympics Ontario on social media for continued updates or visit www.specialolympicsontario.com for additional information. | |
|
We applaud all those who have completed this important training. We have extended the deadline for completion of this training one final time. As of March 31, 2023 those volunteers who have not completed this training will not be permitted to volunteer in Special Olympics Ontario in any capacity until they have completed Safe Sport training.
After completing this course, it is mandatory to Login / Create Portal Account using the Membership Portal and record the course information in the Member Training section of your profile.
| |
Thank you for Supporting Special Olympics Athletes with the Special Olympics Donut | |
|
A huge thank you and shout-out goes to every coach, volunteer, athlete, supporter, family member and friend who visited a Tim Hortons restaurant between February 3-5 and purchased the Special Olympics Donut.
This year's campaign raised $625,000 for Special Olympics programs across the country! 100% of the funds raised will support community sport programming for thousands of athletes with an intellectual disability. Together, we're making a more inclusive Canada! #ChooseToInclude
| |
|
Ryan MacBean is a Special Olympics Athlete from Dufferin, Ontario. Ryan has been involved in Special Olympics for ten years now, most of which he spent competing in swimming events. In addition to his swimming training and competitions, Ryan looks forward to the many events that Special Olympics Ontario has to offer. These events include Polar Plunges, Motionball, Mud Runs and the Truck Ride. Ryan's favourite part of the Truck Ride event is getting to ride in the police cars.
Last year, Ryan was the top fundraising athlete in the 2022 Polar Plunge raising a total of $12,235 for Special Olympics Ontario – way to go Ryan! You can get involved in the 2023 Polar Plunge and support athletes like Ryan achieve their dreams. Visit polarplunge.ca today to find a plunge near you and register to start fundraising!
| |
There's no better time than NOW to get involved with Special Olympics! If you know someone who would make a great coach, timekeeper, referee, treasurer, secretary or just an all-around fantastic volunteer, encourage them to get involved! | |
Encourage your athletes to join Chef Anthony's next session! | | |
|
This month, join Chef Anthony as he walks us through a delicious New York Cheesecake recipe! Be sure to register in advance by clicking the button below, and click here to view the recipe so you have everything you need to follow along on February 24th at 5:30pm! | |
Partner in Health Directory now available! | |
|
The health team at Special Olympics Ontario has some exciting news -- our directory of Partners in Health is now up on our website! As a reminder: the Partner in Health program is a network of healthcare professionals across Ontario that have completed specialized training, and are dedicated to providing quality healthcare for individuals with intellectual disabilities.
In our directory, you can find contact information for healthcare providers including dentists, optometrists, medical doctors, podiatrists, physiotherapists, registered massage therapists, and mental health counsellors.
| |
More Hometown Games are happening across the province! | |
|
COMING SOON:
FEBRUARY 18
Peterborough Basketball
FEBRUARY 24 - 26
Huntsville Skiing/Snowshoeing
FEBRUARY 25
Simcoe Swimming
Belleville Swimming
Stratford & Area Basketball
FEBRUARY 26
York South 5-Pin Bowling
MARCH 3
Milton Curling
MARCH 4
London Rhythmic Gymnastic
Arnprior Basketball
Huronia Curling
| |
Don't see an upcoming Hometown Games near you? Stay tuned to your emails and our social media channels for more dates and locations coming soon! We can't wait to see you back on the playing field! | |
|
Research Study:
Disability & Reproductive Health during COVID-19 in Canada
| |
|
Our friends at the University of Toronto are performing a study concerning the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the health of women and girls with disabilities in Canada. We encourage you to share these details with eligible athletes in your community to take part in the study.
Who:
You may be eligible if you:
- Identify or may be identified as having a disability*
- Identify as a woman, trans, or non-binary person
- Are 18 years or older
- Live and receive health care in Canada
What:
- You have the option of completing a 20-minute survey and/or a 1-hour interview about your reproductive health and the health care services you received since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- You can do the study, or not do the study. The choice you make will not impact the services you use now or later.
How:
- The survey can be done by you online, by telephone or Zoom with a researcher at a time that works for you.
- The interview can also be done by telephone or Zoom.
- You are welcome to do both the survey and the interview.
-
If you need any supports or accommodations to participate, please let us know.
| |
|
Research Study:
Investigating Strategies used to Foster Quality Participation on the Playground
| |
|
The "Play Finds a Way Through Playgrounds" study aims to understand the engagement and experiences of children with disabilities and their parents at inclusive playgrounds in Canada. The current phase of the study focuses on recruiting parents of children with disabilities and recreation staff who work with such children to complete an online survey.
Participants will be asked to provide information on demographics, their experiences with playgrounds, and quality play strategies. The study's goal is to provide evidence-informed recommendations for designing inclusive playgrounds that promote quality play experiences for children with disabilities.
If you wish to participate, please click on the link below to confirm your eligibility. Eligible Participants will be contacted over email by the study coordinator. We hope you can help us and in turn, help improve playground experiences for children with disabilities.
| |
Research Study:
Experience with Exercise for Individuals with Disabilities
| |
Revved Up is seeking individuals with physical, sensory, or developmental disabilities who live in Canada, are 18 or older, and have experience with exercising in a community setting or working with an exercise professional. They want these individuals to participate in an online focus group and share their exercise experiences. Participants will receive $20 as compensation. | |
Healthy Athletes Screenings
- Coming Soon to Thunder Bay & Barrie -
| |
Special Olympics Ontario athletes and non-athletes with an Intellectual Disability are invited to attend upcoming Healthy Athletes Screenings in Thunder Bay and Barrie. The Special Olympics Healthy Athletes program is a worldwide initiative that provides FREE health screenings and education to Special Olympics athletes and people with intellectual disabilities. | |
|
24h BLUE MTN
February 25-26, 2023
| | |
|
We are very excited to be back on the mountain at the beautiful Blue Mountain Resort in Collingwood for the 5th Annual 24h BLUE MTN. The event is open to skiers and snowboarders and features 24 hours of friendly team relay competition to see who can achieve the Most Runs and raise the Most Funds for two important causes: Special Olympics Ontario and the Collingwood General and Marine Hospital Foundation. Brian Stemmle, a four-time Winter Olympian and Canadian Ski Hall of Fame inductee, has actively served as the 24h Blue Mountain Official Event Ambassador since it’s 2018 inception. Stemmle resumes his advocacy role with a warm invitation to register now for February 25th-26th. | |
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Training Opportunities | |
|
LGBTQ+ 101
Designed to educate employees, no matter their current understanding, of the nuances of the LGBTQ+ community, specifically explores the basics of community, terminology, and sexuality vs. gender identity.
| |
|
February 27th @ 7:00pm ET
| |
|
Pronouns
Explores gender pronouns surrounding one’s identity and carry personal and cultural context, basic concepts, and usages.
| |
|
|
Spectrum from Tolerance to Advocate
Aimed to provide an understanding of the spectrum from tolerance to becoming an advocate and associated concepts- answers the questions, How Can I get Involved, what can I do to help?
| |
|
Cayuga Velo
June 3, 2023
| |
We are proud to announce a new team fundraising event: the Cayuga Velo 4 & 8-hour relay. This extraordinary cycling experience will take place on the 4-kilometre auto race circuit track at Toronto Motorsports Park and mirrors incredible cycling events on great European racetracks including Le Mans, Brands Hatch, Zolder, and the Nurburgring. 100% of the rider pledges and donations will directly benefit over 26,000 Special Olympics athletes across the province. Registration is Now Open!! | |
|
Inployable
Connecting Employers to People with Down Syndrome
| |
|
There are nearly 1 million open jobs in Canada. Yet due to hiring bias over 50% of people with Down syndrome still struggle to find a job. Founded in 2022 by the Canadian Down Syndrome Society and LinkedIn, “inployable” is the first-ever employment network on LinkedIn for people with Down syndrome to close the hiring gap.
Employment creates opportunities for independence and connection in our community. Whether you have a job or not, we’re looking for people with Down syndrome to create a personal profile on LinkedIn to show how many members of the community are ready to work! If you need help setting up your profile, a LinkedIn coach is ready to guide you through the process.
| | |
|
For the chance to have your athletes' Special Olympics stories featured in a future newsletter, social media post, or campaign, submit your information on our Athlete Profile Form! Fill out your information, tell us your story, and submit a photo of you participating in Special Olympics, or include a headshot. | |
|
Special Olympics Ontario has kicked off a Social Media Contest on Twitter. The contest will continue until the Special Olympics Ontario Twitter account has reached 10,000 total followers.
To enter the contest you must:
-
Follow @SOOntario on Twitter
-
Retweet the Contest Tweet (click here to view the contest tweet)
- Reside in Canada
You could win a Special Olympics Ontario prize pack once we reach 9,700 followers, and the grand prize of a $250 Sobeys gift card when we reach 10,000 followers!
| |
|
Looking to stop receiving these emails? Please be sure to read below:
Please note that clicking the unsubscribe link below will remove you from ALL newsletters and emails from Special Olympics Ontario - this means all communications related to Special Olympics Ontario and Ontario Law Enforcement Torch Run, including related major games, events and updates etc. If you only want to be removed from the Coaches Newsletter - please click here to let us know.
| | | | |
