Virginia

Unified Fitness Challenge

Unified Champion SchoolsDevelop school communities where all young people are agents of change, fostering respect, dignity and advocacy for people with intellectual disabilities through three components:

• Unified Sports such as the Fitness Challenge• Whole School Engagement activities such as

Disability Awareness book readings, videos and campaigns

• Youth Leadership in the form of students with and without ID planning Disability Awareness activities

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Unified Champion Schools Results

84% of students generally regard the experiences they’ve had with a Unified Champion School as a positive turning point in their lives.

95% of UCS liaisons felt that the UCS program created a more socially inclusive school environment.

76% of students report participating in UCS provides the opportunity to get to know a peer with ID which in turn leads to friendship.

90% of teachers reported UCS reduces:• Bullying• Teasing• The use of

offensive language in school

Unified Fitness Challenge Goals

Increase strength, flexibility and endurance resulting in overall better health.

Promote inclusion through inclusive peer participation by students with and without ID.

Designed to be flexible to meet the ability levels of all students and can be implemented virtually or in-person.

People with ID are:* 2 – 4 times less likely to be physically active,* 2 times as likely to be obese, have cardiovascular disease and asthma,*5 times as likely to have diabetes and*their life expectancy is reduced by an average of 16 years.

Let’s work to change these statistics!

Students with and without intellectual disabilities in grades 3rd – 12thparticipate in an 8-week program, two - three times per week for 30 minutes. Activities focus on:

AgilityCardioFine/Gross Motor SkillsFlexibilityHydrationNutritionSocial/Emotional WellnessStrength

Unified Fitness Challenge Curriculum

Unified Fitness Equipment Kit

Free equipment is available for schools that implement the Unified Fitness Challenge.

• 1 Wrist Fitness Tracker • 1 Adjustable Jump Rope• 1 Medium Resistance Band• 1 Flyweight Ball• 1 Hoop Agility Ladder (10 hoops with clips)• 5 Cones• 1 Bucket Bag to Hold Equipment

Unified Fitness Equipment Kit

DAILY STEP TRACKER

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Students track their steps each day

Disability Awareness ResourcesSchools are strongly encouraged to launch whole school engagement activities that promote inclusion and respect.

• Virtual disability awareness resources• Age-appropriate pictures books for grades pre-K – 4th

• Videos for grades 5th – 12th

• Optional questions and activities for each lesson

• In-Person Choose to Include campaign• Visit https://www.specialolympicsva.org/beyond-

sports/whole-school-engagement for free resources

https://www.specialolympicsva.org/beyond-sports/whole-school-engagement

Unified Fitness Challenge Implementation

• Involve students with and without ID.• Decide which teacher at your school will

complete the year-end survey in the spring.

• Register and complete your equipment request form.

• Utilize the Disability Awareness Resources at your school during the year.

Questions? Contact:

Val Reinford, VP Local Program Services

vreinford@specialolympicsva.org 804-726-3036

mailto:vreinford@specialolympicsva.org

Slide Number 1Unified Champion SchoolsUnified Champion Schools ResultsUnified Fitness Challenge GoalsSlide Number 5Unified Fitness Equipment KitUnified Fitness Equipment KitStudents track their steps each dayDisability Awareness ResourcesUnified Fitness Challenge ImplementationQuestions? Contact: