Job Olympics

Goal: $3,000.00

Specific Need

Please invest in improving the lives of students with special needs. While many minority groups have seen their employment situations improved since the 1980s, United States workers with disabilities have seen their labor force participation decreased. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2016, only 17.9 percent of disabled persons were employed. Students with different abilities have skills that can be an asset to others and belong integrated in their community. Local special education teachers, transition coordinators and parents know teaching employment skills and independent living skills are vital for students to be as independent as possible. Job Olympics is a way for students to practice and improve these skills throughout the year to help secure future employment. In addition, it helps students with special needs have the opportunity to compete in an activity in their community that was designed specifically for them. For some students, this is the only venue in which they can participate and be successful, regardless of their needs.

The funds raised for Job Olympics will be used to buy supplies for the competition. Supplies needed include student medals and ribbons, parking passes for judges, tshirts, snacks for participants and judges and materials for the events. Our costs for the 2023 Job Olympics competition was $2,198.10.

Mission

Job Olympics was started in 2018 in response from area transition coordinators and special educators to have a local option for students with special needs to compete and participate in an activity in their community. We had our first Job Olympics competition in the spring of 2019. Although not a new concept, no local options were available for our students to attend without driving several hours away. Job Olympics is a competition for high school students with special needs to showcase their employment skills, independent living skills and soft skills. It also provides an opportunity for students to network with community members and peers. For many students, it is their only opportunity to be active in a community event that is designed specifically for them and in a format where all students can be included, regardless of ability. For some parents, it is the only opportunity for them to support their child in an organized event in their community. Our competition has grown with 10 schools participating our first year and 18 last year with hopes to continue expanding. Approximately 144 students participated in the competition most recently.

Profile

Job Olympics is organized by the transition coordinators from participating area schools. The contact person for this event is Cristi Wiegers, USD #320 Special Services Cooperative Transition Coordinator. The area high schools that participated in our Job Olympics in 2023 included: Wamego, Rock Creek, Wabaunsee, St. Marys, Rossville, Manhattan, Junction City, Clay Center, Abilene, White City, Herington, Lakeside, Beloit, Lincoln, Sylvan-Lucas, Rock Hills, Flint Hills Christian, and Mission Valley.