Special Abilities & Special Olympics

Inclusion in Cheer: Empowering Through Unity

Inclusive cheerleading is a dynamic, empowering sport that opens the door for athletes of all abilities to shine. It fosters a sense of belonging and celebrates diversity, welcoming individuals with a range of physical, intellectual, and developmental abilities to participate.

By emphasizing teamwork, confidence-building, and personal growth, inclusive cheer creates a supportive environment where everyone can contribute, excel, and experience the joy of sports. This movement not only highlights each athlete’s unique strengths but also enriches the entire cheer community, fostering friendships and understanding across diverse backgrounds and abilities.

Pathways To Participate

In inclusive cheer, athletes have two main pathways: competitive and non-competitive (sideline) cheer.

Competitive inclusive cheer teams focus on training for structured routines and performances, participating in local, regional, national, and even international competitions. These teams offer athletes the excitement of competition, the chance to set performance goals, and the opportunity to showcase their skills to a larger audience.

Non-competitive inclusive cheer, on the other hand, emphasizes spirit and support at live sporting events, with sideline cheer teams engaging crowds, rallying for school or community teams, and fostering an inclusive environment through a shared love of cheer.

Both pathways celebrate the unique talents of each athlete, enabling participants to find their fit in an inclusive, supportive cheer community.

Competitive Cheer

Options for joining an inclusive cheer team for competition are growing, especially with more organizations and competitions adopting inclusive divisions. Here are some key avenues:

Special Olympics Unified Sports: Offers Unified Cheerleading teams where athletes with and without intellectual disabilities cheer together. Special Olympics hosts competitions that allow inclusive cheer teams to perform and compete. Athletes train for one competition in a Season and have the opportunity to compete at third party events.
Move United Adaptive Cheer Programs: Move United is a national organization that partners with local adaptive sports programs to provide inclusive cheer opportunities for individuals with disabilities. While Move United doesn’t directly organize competitive cheer teams, it connects athletes with community-based adaptive cheer programs that may offer performances and exhibitions at local or regional events.
All-Star Cheer Gyms with Inclusive Programs: Some cheer gyms offer CheerAbilities programs, supported by the USASF. These adaptive cheer teams include athletes with a variety of abilities and can compete in regional and national cheer events.
School-Based Unified Cheer Teams: Many middle and high schools have adopted Unified Cheer programs under initiatives like Unified Sports. These teams perform at school events and sometimes participate in Unified competitions or showcases.
Local and Regional Cheer Competitions: Some major cheer organizations, like Varsity All Star and NCA, have divisions specifically for inclusive teams, allowing adaptive teams to compete and perform alongside traditional teams.
Recreational and Community Cheer Programs: Community centers, YMCAs, and other local organizations often have inclusive cheer programs with opportunities for performance and, sometimes, informal competition. These programs focus on inclusion and skill development rather than formal competitive structures.

Special Olympics Competitions:

Texas State Championship: Hosted at the NCA High School National Championship, January 2026.
Alabama State Championship: Held at ACE All Stars, annually, beginning in 2025.
ICU World School Championship: Held at the National High School Cheerleading Championship (UCA), February 2026.

Non-Competitive Cheer

Inclusive sideline cheer options are widely available, especially through schools, community programs, and sports organizations that embrace Unified Sports and adaptive cheer teams. Here are the main options:

Special Olympics Sideline Cheer: In addition to competition teams, some Special Olympics programs offer sideline cheer teams that participate at Special Olympics sporting events, cheering on athletes in various sports. These teams are fully inclusive, with members cheering at events within the Special Olympics community.
Move United Adaptive Sideline Cheer: Move United partners with community-based adaptive sports programs to offer inclusive cheer options. While Move United itself doesn’t organize cheer teams, they connect athletes to local adaptive sports organizations that may have sideline cheer programs.
School-Based Unified Sideline Cheer: Many middle and high schools have developed Unified cheer programs where athletes with and without disabilities cheer together at school sports events. These teams support school spirit at games and pep rallies, creating an inclusive environment for students of all abilities.
All-Star Cheer Gyms with CheerAbilities Sideline Teams: Some All-Star gyms offer adaptive teams that focus on sideline cheer rather than competitive routines. These teams perform at local events and may also support community sports teams, providing athletes with disabilities a chance to participate in cheer without a competitive focus.
Community-Based and Recreational Programs: Community centers, YMCAs, and recreation departments often host inclusive or adaptive cheer programs focused on sideline cheering. These teams typically perform at local sports events and focus on building confidence, teamwork, and community spirit.
Collegiate Inclusive Cheer Programs: Some colleges have adopted inclusive sideline cheer programs to support school sports and encourage diversity within their cheer teams. This is a growing area, particularly as more universities focus on accessibility and inclusivity in athletics.

Inclusive cheerleading provides athletes of all abilities the chance to participate fully, whether through the thrill of competition or the team spirit of sideline cheer. By offering both competitive and non-competitive options, inclusive cheer empowers each athlete to find their unique role, build confidence, and create lasting friendships.

This sport champions diversity, belonging, and the belief that everyone has something valuable to contribute. Inclusive cheer not only elevates individuals but also strengthens communities, showing that the power of teamwork and positive energy has no boundaries.

SPIRIT IN ACTION: SPECIAL OLYMPICS AND SPECIAL ABILITIES

Special Olympics is a global movement dedicated to empowering individuals with intellectual disabilities through inclusive sports, fostering confidence, skill development, and community connection. With programs in over 190 countries, Special Olympics promotes acceptance and unity, proving that everyone has the potential to achieve and inspire.

As a proud partner of the Special Olympics, USA Cheer offers two programs tailored to athletes with intellectual disabilities: Special Olympics Cheer and Special Abilities Cheer. Both divisions welcome athletes in Competitive Cheer Levels 0, 1, and 2, creating structured opportunities for growth, teamwork, and joy in performance.

Special Olympics Cheer includes:

Traditional Teams: Composed of 100% athletes with intellectual disabilities, fostering camaraderie and skill development.
Unified Teams: A blend of 50% or more athletes with intellectual disabilities and up to 50% Unified Partners, ensuring balanced teams and shared accomplishments.

SPECIAL ABILITIES CHEER

Special Abilities Cheer offers flexibility for athletes with intellectual disabilities if Special Olympics is not an option. This division supports various integration levels:

Traditional Teams: 100% athletes with disabilities, dedicated to celebrating spirit and achievement.
Unified Teams: Inclusive teams with 1% to 99% athletes with and without disabilities, providing ambassador roles or full integration on school or club teams.

These programs prioritize safety, proper training, and inclusivity, with every participant—athlete, unified partner, coach, or chaperone—required to complete registration and certification through their Special Olympics program. For more information on participation, contact darian@socheer.org or reach out to your local Special Olympics office.

Moments That Inspire

Join the Movement

Be part of the transformative power of Special Olympics and Special Abilities Cheer! Whether you’re an athlete ready to showcase your talents, a volunteer eager to make a difference, or a coach passionate about empowering others, there’s a place for you in this inclusive community. Explore opportunities to participate, gain access to training resources, and learn more about how you can support these inspiring divisions. Together, we can create a world where every athlete has the chance to lead, connect, and thrive.

To learn more about coaching, becoming an athlete, or supporting our mission, reach out to Darian@SOCheer.org or connect with your local Special Olympics office. Click here to get started.