Unified sports Report - Special Olympics

eak down the social barriers between individuals with mental retardation and those without
disabilities.
E. Family Member Perspectives of Unified Sports
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The evaluation sample included 89 family members from 16 states. Family members
included in this evaluation were mothers, fathers, and guardians of athletes who participated in
Unified Sports. The general demographic data for family members are contained in Table 4.
Family members were, in general, more critical of the Unified Sports program than athletes or
partners. However, the majority was still very satisfied with their son’s or daughter’s experience.
Of the family members surveyed, 43% reported that they had participated as a partner on a
Unified Sports team; 31% had been volunteers at an SO event; and 25% had coached a Unified
Sports team at some time in the past. This high level of program involvement is consistent with
the stated aims of Unified Sports to provide family members the opportunity to compete
alongside their athletes.
Most family members surveyed indicated their athlete was very active in Unified Sports:
● 66% reported that their athlete had participated in two or more Unified Sports within
the past year;
● 41% reported that their athlete had competed in Unified Sports at the national level;
● 49% of family members reported that their athlete had competed at the state level.
On average, family members reported that their athletes attended nine practices or training
sessions and two competitions within the past year.
The overall satisfaction level of family member was quite high:
● 93% were satisfied with their athlete’s overall experience in Unified Sports;
● 98% would recommend Unified Sports to another family;