Many Special Olympics athlete leaders are successful media influencers, teammates, coaches and community activists. This becomes possible when people around them welcome, value and support their determination, effort and skills. Unfortunately, many people with intellectual disabilities are unable to achieve their leadership potential because of the attitudes, behaviors and low expectations of people without disabilities.

The Unified Leadership approach helps people without disabilities to turn from unconscious bias to conscious inclusion, changing their attitudes and behaviors to create meaningful inclusion in their teams, organizations, families and communities. This approach closely connects with Athlete Leadership, where athletes train and take on roles as educators, influencers and leaders of people with and without disabilities.