UNICEF and Special Olympics Launch Project to Aid
Children with Intellectual Disabilities
by Juwana Abushal

 The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the Special Olympics have recently launched a partnership which will focus on giving opportunities for children with intellectual disabilities a chance to play in the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games. The slogan of the partnership is “Participating in Olympics games is a right for every child.”

“Special Olympic help those with disabilities to develop their full potential,” UNICEF Executive Director Ann M. Veneman said. “This new partnership will help make the point that children with disabilities have the same rights as all other children. They are entitled to adequate health care and quality education and to live in an environment that protects them from abuse, exploitation and disease.”

The partnership will, furthermore, try to change the attitude of the people toward the intellectually-disabled children by raising public awareness and spreading positive attitude towards those who suffer from the disability. This campaign will make a better future for these children with regards to their education, health, and social life. The ultimate aim of the partnership is to eradicate discriminatory attitudes of present in general society. Participation in the Special Olympic Games will enhance the self-esteem of the challenged children and will help them lead richer, more rewarding lives.

“We are thrilled to partner with UNICEF to empower children with intellectual disabilities and their families and to increase public awareness about critical issues facing this population in the developing world.”

The UNICEF/Special Olympics partnership will initially focus on a few countries, but further expansion is planned for 2008.