Special Olympics recognizes Tec for work on inclusion

Special Olympics has given an award to Tec de Monterrey’s Puebla campus thanks to the work of student volunteers in support of people with intellectual disabilities.

“A five-year collaboration with Special Olympics has been rewarded with this recognition,” says Andrea Corrales, the director of Social Education at Puebla campus.

Special Olympics is a global movement that integrates people with intellectual disabilities into society, through health, education, leadership, and sports programs.

Corrales points out that Special Olympics only gives these awards to Unified Champion Schools that meet and maintain inclusive standards of excellence.

The work of Tec volunteers

Tec de Monterrey’s Puebla campus was awarded this recognition thanks to more than 49,000 hours of community service, benefiting 100 athletes.

280 students have taken part in the program, 2 of whom have become assistant coaches, 2 have become administrative volunteers, and one has become a volunteer judge.

Altogether, the volunteers have achieved over 500 hours of training on-site prior to the pandemic and virtually during the pandemic.

 “They act as assistant coaches by developing athletic and leadership skills for kids with and without intellectual disabilities and creating communities of acceptance.” 

“They act as assistant coaches by developing athletic and leadership skills for kids with and without intellectual disabilities and creating communities of acceptance.”

The students who made the greatest contribution are Ricardo Badillo, bocce coach; Moisés Saldívar, swimming advisor; Julio Solar, assistant coach; and Samuel Huerta and Daniela Alvarado for developing an application.

Special Olympics was founded in 1968. It has programs in 200 countries serving 5 million athletes. It’s been in Mexico for 33 years and serves 38,600 athletes from 28 states.

This international organization has coverage in Puebla via 29 clubs in 25 municipalities. Its athletes aim to strengthen their mobility in different sports.

Sports are practiced via 15 disciplines, with soccer being the most popular sport.

Before the pandemic, athletes competed at local, regional, and national level. They even attended international events, which motivated them.

Puebla Campus: the first to receive recognition

Puebla is the first campus at Tecnológico de Monterrey to receive this recognition, which makes it something special for Andrea Corrales.

“Our goal in publicizing this recognition is for other campuses to hear about it, and for them to explore teaming up with Special Olympics to also receive this recognition.”

“Our goal is for other campuses to hear about it, and for them to explore teaming up with Special Olympics to also receive this recognition.”

According to Corrales, this recognition certifies that Tec de Monterrey and Special Olympics work closely together to show what people with intellectual disabilities can do.

“We want the Tec community to be sensitive to the issues faced by people with intellectual disabilities when actively participating in our society.”

The Special Olympics recognition is awarded to Unified Champion Schools, as well as to instructors with 5 years of active participation in this organization.

“It’s not only the students that get involved, but also Tec staff and faculty who participate in the organization’s programs.”

How the Tec contributes

“Despite the pandemic, the activities have continued. The organization was able to adapt very well to online teaching, and the students wanted to continue participating.”

Before the pandemic, the athletes trained at the Puebla campus facilities thanks to help from the Student Leadership and Education (LiFE) department.

"Areas such as LiFE, specifically sports, promote the program by attending requests from the organization and providing facilities.”

“It’s not just social education: areas such as LiFE, specifically sports, promote the program by attending requests from the organization and providing facilities.”

What’s more, students from Puebla campus have taken part in community service projects through subjects focused on social impact projects.

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