DIGITALISING COACH TRAINING: SPECIAL OLYMPICS SWITZERLAND PARTNERS WITH SWISSTEACH TO PROMOTE INCLUSION

Special Olympics Switzerland is the national branch of the world’s largest sports organisation for people with intellectual disabilities. Founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, Special Olympics has been committed ever since to promoting respect, acceptance, and equality for people with intellectual disabilities. With over 4.2 million athletes across 177 countries, the organisation represents a powerful voice for inclusion and participation.

In Switzerland, Special Olympics has operated as a foundation since 1995, organising around 70 competitions each year across various sports. In addition to these regular events, the National Winter and Summer Games are held every two years, with Swiss delegations taking part in the Special Olympics World Games in the years in between.

However, Special Olympics Switzerland goes far beyond sport. At its core, the organisation is driven by a vision: to build an inclusive society in which people with intellectual disabilities can lead active, healthy, and fulfilling lives.

THE DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION AT SPECIAL OLYMPICS SWITZERLAND

To move with the times and better meet the needs of its target audience, Special Olympics Switzerland decided to implement a LEARNING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (LMS). The aim was to provide people interested in the organisation with the opportunity to complete training modules at their own pace and from any location. This was made possible by a partnership with Swissteach AG, which provides the Global Teach® LMS free of charge.

WHY SWISSTEACH?

In its search for a suitable partner, Special Olympics Switzerland discovered Swissteach — a company specialising in e-learning solutions and staff development. What ultimately convinced Special Olympics Switzerland was the human touch behind Swissteach’s approach to digitalisation. It wasn’t just about providing a technical solution—it was about the values and the positive impact that technology can have on people’s lives.

DIGITALISING COACH TRAINING

The partnership between Swissteach and Special Olympics Switzerland aims to digitalise certain training modules for coaches. These coaches play a vital role in helping athletes with intellectual disabilities develop and enhance their abilities. The training programme offered by Special Olympics Switzerland is based on a series of modules that cover both sporting techniques and guidance on supporting the specific needs of individuals with intellectual disabilities.

With the introduction of GLOBAL TEACH®, these training modules are now becoming more flexible and accessible to a wider audience. Participants can complete the modules online at their own pace, wherever and whenever it suits them.

THE FIRST DIGITAL MODULE

As a first step, the 'Introduction' module was digitised. This module provides an overview of the key activities of Special Olympics and introduces the movement in Switzerland. It serves as an essential starting point for anyone interested in learning more about the organisation and lays the foundation for future training content.

In future, Special Olympics Switzerland plans to offer additional training sessions and modules via the LMS. The target audience includes not only interested individuals but also athlete coaches and professionals working with people with intellectual disabilities.

THE BENEFITS OF GLOBAL TEACH®

One particularly significant advantage of the Global Teach® LMS is how it helps save resources. With training and modules now available online, it is possible to save resources in the long term and reach a wider audience. Thanks to this flexible approach, greater awareness of Special Olympics can be raised, ultimately promoting inclusion and deepening the understanding of the needs of individuals with intellectual disabilities.

Swissteach AG is pleased to play a role in promoting inclusive sports and in supporting the important work of Special Olympics Switzerland. The digitalisation of training programmes will further strengthen engagement and support for athletes with intellectual disabilities.

CONCLUSION

With the implementation of Global Teach® and the digital transformation of its training programmes, Special Olympics Switzerland is taking a significant step towards the future. The use of such technologies makes it possible to broaden the reach of the organisation’s valuable work and involve more people in the process of inclusion. This benefits not only the participants but society as a whole.