Special Olympics and the Pacific Telecommunications Council Collaborate for Global Inclusion and Connectivity

Washington, D.C., 18 January 2024 – Special Olympics International, the world’s leading sports organization for people with intellectual disabilities, and the Pacific Telecommunications Council (PTC), a global nonprofit advancing information and communication technologies (ICT), proudly announce a strategic partnership aimed at harnessing PTC members’ global reach within the telecom and digital infrastructure sectors to support Special Olympics’ digital transformation and data strategy. This partnership merges expertise to drive meaningful change, fostering an inclusive world that embraces tech innovation for athletes with intellectual disabilities.

For over 55 years, Special Olympics has been at the forefront of promoting dignity, equality, and acceptance for people with intellectual disabilities through sports, empowering over 4 million athletes and Unified partners (individuals without disabilities) across 190 countries.

“Special Olympics International is thrilled to embark on this remarkable journey with PTC. By leveraging PTC’s extensive network, we aim to amplify our message and engage ICT companies to collaboratively support our mission of empowering athletes with intellectual disabilities through sports.”

“Partnering with Special Olympics International aligns perfectly with PTC’s commitment to driving positive change through technology. Through this collaboration, PTC will not only support Special Olympics’ global data distribution needs, but also elevate our member community’s awareness by being part of this impactful journey.”

The partnership will focus on the following key initiatives:

• Leveraging PTC’s Global Reach: Through its vast network of telecom and digital infrastructure providers, PTC will partner with Special Olympics to facilitate access to a diverse range of potential collaborators and stakeholders.
• Promoting Inclusivity and Innovation: The partnership will promote inclusivity in the telecommunications and digital infrastructure sectors by encouraging companies to adopt practices that support athletes with intellectual disabilities. This will foster innovation in the field, leading to more accessible and adaptive technologies that benefit individuals with diverse abilities.

The  PTC and Special Olympics collaboration will be highlighted at PTC’24, the Annual Conference in Honolulu from 21 – 24 January 2024. The event will showcase engaging activities and discussions to feature the collaboration. Nathan Cook, Chief Information Officer, Special Olympics, will participate in a fireside chat on Tuesday, 23 January at 2:15 PM to discuss the collaboration’s transformative impact. On Wednesday, 24 January, PTC participants will have an opportunity to join Unified Sports Experience games of soccer and bocce with Special Olympics Hawaii athletes. Special Olympics Unified Sports® Experiences (USE) bring together Special Olympics athletes, professional and Olympic athletes, dignitaries and celebrities for participation in a competitive environment. The purpose of these types of events is to showcase the talents and abilities of Special Olympics athletes, while simultaneously providing an opportunity to raise much-needed awareness and funds for Special Olympics Programs.

By merging their strengths, Special Olympics and PTC aspire to make a resounding impact on the lives of individuals with intellectual disabilities, facilitating their participation in sports and nurturing their talents to the fullest potential. Through this partnership, both organizations aim to inspire the world and cultivate a future where technology and inclusivity go hand in hand.

View the full press release at https://www.specialolympics.org/about/press-releases/special-olympics-and-the-pacific-telecommunications-council-collaborate-for-global-inclusion-and-connectivity