Special Olympics Embraces Tech Evolution Led by Athletes

Special
Olympics
is
undergoing
a
significant
technological
transformation,
driven
by
the
very
athletes
it
serves.
This
evolution
aims
to
enhance
inclusivity
and
streamline
operations,
according
to
a
recent
report
from

Microsoft
News.

Athlete-Led
Innovation

Garrett
Utz
and
Haleigh
Sommers,
both
28,
are
among
the
athletes
leading
this
change.
Utz,
who
gained
recognition
for
his
powerful
soccer
skills,
and
Sommers,
known
for
her
bowling
prowess
despite
her
cerebral
palsy,
are
now
contributing
to
the
design
and
functionality
of
Special
Olympics’
new
digital
“center
of
excellence.”
This
initiative
aims
to
simplify
online
registration
for
sports
and
mobilize
volunteers
more
efficiently.

“Even
though
I
have
a
disability,
I
can
give
feedback
–
and
it’s
heard
and
listened
to,”
Sommers
noted.
This
sentiment
was
echoed
by
Utz,
who
emphasized
the
importance
of
modernizing
processes
to
keep
up
with
the
21^st
century.

Leveraging
Microsoft
Dynamics
365

To
achieve
this
digital
transformation,
Special
Olympics
is
utilizing

Microsoft
Dynamics
365
Sales.
This
AI-powered
CRM
solution
helps
improve
client
relationships
and
streamline
operations.
The
feedback
from
athletes
and
volunteers
has
been
integral
in
shaping
the
portal’s
design,
ensuring
it
meets
their
unique
needs.

“We’re
trying
to
address
a
barrier
to
entry
for
participation
in
our
program,”
said
Nathan
Cook,
Chief
Information
Officer
at
Special
Olympics.
The
new
system
aims
to
empower
athletes
through
an
easier
registration
process,
aligning
with
the
organization’s
mission
to
foster
inclusivity
since
its
inception
in
1968
by
Eunice
Kennedy
Shriver.

Historical
Context
and
Mission

Shriver
was
inspired
by
her
sister
Rosemary,
who
had
an
intellectual
disability.
The
first
International
Special
Olympics
Summer
Games
were
held
in
1968,
with
the
goal
of
proving
that
people
with
intellectual
disabilities
could
excel
in
sports
if
given
the
chance.
This
spirit
of
inclusion
continues
to
drive
the
organization’s
current
tech
initiatives.

User-Centered
Design
and
Prototyping

The
new
digital
platform
underwent
several
iterations
based
on
user
feedback.
Athletes
like
Utz
suggested
features
such
as
saving
work
in
progress
to
prevent
data
loss
during
registration.
Sommers
recommended
a
more
accurate
notification
system
to
inform
athletes
and
volunteers
when
their
registrations
are
approved.

“Since
our
athletes
have
to
do
this
on
their
own,
it
has
to
be
an
easy
process.
If
it’s
not,
they
will
stop
and
won’t
get
to
play
the
sports
they
like,”
Sommers
explained.

Financial
Responsibility
and
Data
Security

In
line
with
its
nonprofit
status,
Special
Olympics
aims
to
keep
costs
down
while
maximizing
impact.
The
choice
of
Dynamics
365
Sales,
integrated
with

Microsoft
Power
Apps,
supports
this
goal
by
reducing
the
total
cost
of
ownership.

Data
security
is
another
critical
aspect.
The
organization
relies
on

Microsoft
Azure
for
secure
data
storage,
leveraging
best
practices
such
as
encryption
at
rest
and
in
transit.

Future
Prospects
and
AI
Integration

The
center
of
excellence
will
also
aggregate
health
reports,
provide
a
centralized
event
calendar,
and
create
a
digital
funnel
to
retain
and
develop
volunteers.
This
data-driven
approach
aims
to
prevent
future
participation
drop-offs,
a
challenge
highlighted
by
the
pandemic.

Special
Olympics
is
also
exploring
generative
AI
to
further
enhance
operations.
Employees
are
incorporating

Copilot
for
Microsoft
365
into
their
workflows,
making
tasks
more
efficient.

“It’s
just
so
cool
to
learn
how
to
use
that
stuff,”
said
Jerry
Holy,
a
data
management
specialist
at
Special
Olympics.
“To
be
honest,
I’m
a
terrible
writer.
Copilot
makes
it
easier
for
me
to
write
emails
and
keep
track
of
things.”

As
Special
Olympics
continues
to
evolve,
the
integration
of
technology
led
by
its
athletes
promises
to
make
the
organization
more
inclusive
and
efficient,
paving
the
way
for
a
brighter
future.

Image
source:
Shutterstock