The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes want to get kids with intellectual disabilities more involved in 10 schools on the Flathead Reservation. They’re trying a new strategy to make that happen through sports programs.
The idea is to give all kids on the reservation opportunities to do activities like school sports and leadership clubs in the schools. The tribes’ strategy is based on a “Unified Champion” program, which is happening in schools all across the country. Special Olympics UNIFY Director Andrea Cahn in Washington, D.C. said that students in special education classes often feel isolated from the main student body.
“We focus on the opportunity for students of all abilities to do things together, to find a place, find a voice and to learn about each other’s differences," she said.
Special Olympics Montana is collaborating with the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes to try the Pilot Project on the Flathead reservation. Director April Charlo said that it will be based on the basketball programs of “Unified Champion Program” schools she studied in Arizona.
“You know, the students with intellectual disabilities are people, they’re athletes as well," Charlo said. "And so the school, because it was a unified champion school, really was dedicated to supporting their students with intellectual disabilities.”
Charlo said she wants sports teams to be a mix of students with and without intellectual disabilities. She wants games to happen during the school day, and for the student body to watch and cheer on both teams.
Charlo said the three-year pilot project will have campaigns to end language in schools that may be offensive to those with intellectual disabilities. They’ll also offer transportation for free health screenings for intellectually disabled students.
