Persons are eligible for Special Olympics provided that they are eight years of age or older and:
1. have been identified by an agency or professional as having an intellectual disability as determined by their localities;
-OR-
2. have a cognitive delay, as determined by standardized measures such as intelligent quotient or "IQ" testing or other measures that are generally accepted within the professional community in that Accredited Program's nation as being a reliable measurement of the existence of a cognitive delay;
-OR-
3. have a closely related developmental disability. A "closely" related developmental disability" means having functional limitations in both general learning (such as IQ) and in adaptive skills (such as in recreation, work, independent living, self-direction, or self-care). However, persons whose functional limitations are based solely on a physical behavioral, or emotional disability, or a specific learning or sensory disability, are not eligible to participate as Special Olympics athletes, but may be eligible to volunteer.
NOTE: People with functional limitations based solely on a physical, behavioral, emotional, specific learning disability, or sensory disability are not eligible.
Once eligibility is determined, an athlete must submit a Registration form and a medical form.
