Special Olympics New York Hosts Inaugural Inclusive Health Fest for New and Current Special Olympics Athletes

This event will take place on Saturday, June 6th from 11AM – 2PM at the Utica University Sports Dome in conjunction with our State Summer Games weekend. Activities will include local health provider connections, individual/family/circle of care wellness resources, upcoming fitness opportunities, and of course, our Healthy Athletes screenings! 

People with disabilities live with significant unmet health needs and health disparities compared to the general population. People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) are more than twice as likely to die prematurely than the general population, and have significantly higher rates of mental illness, obesity, and other health conditions. These disparities are not due to the person’s disability, rather to inaccessible health promotion and disease prevention services: everything from fitness and physical activity services to health education delivery is rarely adapted to their needs. – Health Disparities of People with IDD, SOI Center for Inclusive Health  

Healthy Athletes provides free preventative health screenings and education to our athletes in several health disciplines. The screenings also equip individuals with essentials they need to live healthier lives, such as the following: New prescription glasses, toothbrushes, sunscreen, stretching bands, and earplugs, to name a few. We work with trained health professionals and student volunteers to lead these screenings. This event’s screenings will be led by the following clinicians: 

  • Opening Eyes: Dr. Judith Archibold – Ophthalmic Consultants of the Capital Region 
  • Health Promotion: Dr. Meghan Klawonn, Upstate Medical University 
  • Special Smile: Dr. Sarah Barry, Neighborhood Health Center 
  • Healthy Hearing: Dr. Elizabeth Runnion, Nazareth University & Dr. Krishna Rodemerk, UR Medicine Audiology 
  • FUN Fitness: Dr. Sarah Overton, Arc Jefferson – St. Lawrence 

        We’re very excited to offer our health programs to local athletes and hope to engage individuals with IDD who are not yet Special Olympics athletes to join and experience all of the incredible benefits that we have to offer! 

        If you’re interested in attending this event – RSVP here 

         

        If you’re interested in volunteering at this event – 
        1.      Sign in or create a volunteer profile on the Special Olympics Portal 
        2.      Click “Event Signup” and select ’2026 Summer State Games’
        3.      In the keyword box (upper left), type “health”
        4.      Register for your preferred screening  

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