The SOAR Program was created to facilitate the provision of
advocacy-related services to individuals with intellectual disabilities.
The program partners participating Special Olympics athletes with a
program liaison (Champion) that will function in a representative
capacity/mentorship role. Champions will assess athlete needs and
connect athletes with program partners and other available resources to
fulfill those needs. Program partners include local lawyers and other
professionals and volunteers who will, free of charge, assist the
athlete in succeeding in multiple ways, including: Legal Services (Wills/Trust Issues, Family Law, Landlord Tenant, Entitlement/Benefits), Advocacy Services (Education issues, Medical Rights, Entitlement access),and Life/Job Skills (Interviews/Resumes, Job opportunity Id, Job retention, Financial Planning, Tax Related Issues).
The SOAR Program is the legal analog to the Special Olympics "Healthy Athletes" initiative. Healthy Athletes has become the world’s largest provider of medical care to people with intellectual disabilities through the efforts of thousands of volunteer medical service providers.
MASTER SPORT AND MASTER LIFE
Are you a Special Olympics athlete, or the parent or guardian of an athlete, and need help with:
the preparation of a will or trust or with estate planning
guardianship planning
family issues
landlord or housing issues
a financial dispute
obtaining education benefits
obtaining entitlements
medical or education rights
drafting a resume, identifying job opportunities or preparing for an interview
planning your finances
tax issues
If so, the SOAR Program created by Special Olympics Arizona may be able to help you. Local lawyers and other professionals in the community have volunteered under the SOAR Program to act as "Champions" to athletes participating in the Special Olympics games. Champions will work with athletes and their families to help assess the needs of athletes and then work to find people and resources in the community to help athletes fulfill those needs.