The joy of Special Olympics BC Youth Programs
"We find there's a lack of inclusivity with general sports in the community for kids with special needs,” said Janelle Wallace, mother of five-year-old Arabella Wallace.
Janelle and Arabella Wallace’s experience isn’t unique.
Through research and through conversations with older Special Olympics athletes as well as families, we know that sadly, children and youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities often feel left out and left behind in traditional sport programs, and in schools.
Special Olympics BC is changing that with our Youth Programs for youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities aged two to 18.
“In Active Start and Special Olympics, Arabella can be part of a community and be involved in sports the same way her peers can,” Janelle Wallace says.
Through these programs, which Special Olympics BC offers at low or no cost for participants, youth learn vital skills. They make friendships, find belonging, and are set up at a young age to find joy in sports and movement.
These year-round programs can be found in schools and community programs across British Columbia.
Special Olympics BC Youth Programs in communities
Active Start and FUNdamentals community programs
This season, there are 22 Active Start and FUNdamentals programs running in communities across B.C., at low or no cost to participants.
Children with intellectual disabilities aged two to six find fun and belonging in the Active Start program, and youth with intellectual disabilities aged seven to 11 develop their skills in FUNdamentals.
"Presley is a pandemic baby and so she spent very little time with other kids,” said Nicole Smith, mother of Presley, who is involved in SOBC – Kelowna’s Active Start program. “Seeing the joy on her face being with her little friends warms this momma’s heart!”
Through the consistency of this program, Presley has found connection, routine, and confidence.
“The impact this program has made on our family is huge! It’s so important for our kiddos to have a structured routine and having a fun, active activity like this is so important. Presley works so hard at accomplishing the tasks set up each week. "
Active Start and FUNdamentals programs are led by dedicated, trained volunteers.
"The sense of community and support provided by her and her team is something that I will hold dear to us! We are so incredibly lucky. Our children will continue to benefit from this program!”
SOBC – Prince George recently started an Active Start and FUNdamentals program, which has sparked lots of laughs and skill development.
"We believe there is kinship to be found in being around people who are going through similar experiences, and the Active Start program offers a space for this to take place. It has provided a sense of community for our family, but most importantly for our daughter, son in-law, and granddaughter. The program volunteers are dedicated, warm and supportive. We would encourage everyone who is parenting a child with special needs to come out for the hour of fun activities, games, songs, and building connections,” said Christina Zotich, grandmother to a participant, to the Prince George Citizen. Read the full article on the Prince George Citizen's website.
For a list of Active Start and FUNdamentals programs running in communities near you, please visit our Youth Programs page.
Special Olympics BC Youth Programs in schools
Active Start and FUNdamentals in schools
Active Start and FUNdamentals programs for youth aged two to 11 can also be offered in elementary and middle schools.
Rossland Summit School in Trail has been a trailblazer, providing inclusive opportunities for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities for an incredible 10 years.
If your school is interested in starting an Active Start and/or FUNdamentals program during school hours, please contact inclusion@specialolympics.bc.ca
Special Olympics BC Unified Sports in schools
Special Olympics BC Unified Sports® bring together students with and without intellectual disabilities to compete and represent their school. Youth aged 12 to 18 experience competition, connection, and fun ways to build skills and inclusion.
This year, 49 schools are championing inclusion by being involved in Special Olympics BC Unified Sports! Schools in B.C. are embracing the joy and power of sport.
“What started for me as a way to get involved in school quickly became something much more meaningful,” said Kanav Singh Kapur, Unified Partner and student at R.E. Mountain Secondary School in Langley.
“The program creates a space where everyone feels valued, supported, and part of the same team, regardless of ability.”
Special Olympics BC Unified Sports has reshaped how he sees the world.
“Through this experience, my understanding of diversity and inclusion has completely changed. It’s not just about recognizing differences, but about actively creating environments where those differences are respected and embraced. In Unified Basketball, inclusion isn’t something we talk about, it’s something we experience every single week.”
R.E. Mountain Secondary School is full of dedicated, passionate students and teachers. Outside of Special Olympics BC Unified Sports, the school runs a Unified Club for people with and without intellectual disabilities who have interests outside of sports. They have school-wide participation in cheering on their Special Olympics BC Unified Sports teams, with pep rallies, student leadership teams who run tournaments, and a student media team to capture all the stories.
Teachers and administrators who have experienced the program say that training, competing, and playing together is a quick path to understanding, acceptance, and friendship.
“Just to see the way that the kids interact with each other. They look forward to it every week,” said Scott Abbott, Unified Sports coach at R.E. Mountain, in a video.
“That level of engagement is increasing continually.”
Competition has been fierce and plentiful in the 2025/26 Unified Sports 3-on-3 basketball season.
Coquitlam schools gathered at the Unified Sports Coquitlam District Championship on April 10, and schools from Langley, Chilliwack, Surrey, and Coquitlam faced off at the Unified Sports Fraser Valley Regionals on April 17.
Schools across Vancouver gathered together for two “Vancouver Play Days,” a chance to showcase skills and experience the thrill of competition, while schools in Burnaby competed against each other weekly, leading to a final mini tournament at the end of the season.
Upcoming Special Olympics BC Unified Sports events
May 14: Special Olympics BC Unified 3 x 3 Basketball Provincial Jamboree
Everyone is invited to cheer on Unified Sports athletes on May 14, 2026! Schools will gather at the Langley Events Centre for the first-ever Special Olympics BC Unified 3 x 3 Basketball Provincial Jamboree. Teams will face off in a day full of inclusion, fun, and competition.
May 27: Special Olympics BC Vancouver Island 3 x 3 Basketball School Sport Competition
The popular and inspiring Special Olympics BC Vancouver Island 3 x 3 Basketball School Sport Competition will take place on May 27, with schools across Vancouver Island coming together to show their skills and power of inclusion.
June 2: Langley Abilities Day
Special Olympics BC – Langley is inviting elementary schools (grades 6-7), middle schools, and high schools to join us for Langley Abilities Day and try SOBC Unified Sports programs! Expect a fun day of sport for youth with intellectual disabilities aged 11 to 18, and students who are already Unified Partners or interested in getting involved in the role!
Get involved in Unified Sports
Special Olympics BC provides ready-made resource packages – including lesson plans, equipment, and leader training opportunities – that make it easy and fun to launch new programs.
Learn more by contacting inclusion@specialolympics.bc.ca