February 6, 2026
The New York State Council on Developmental Disabilities (CDD) is pleased to announce a grant award of $100,000 per year for five years to Special Olympics New York (SONY) to expand access to healthy athlete screenings and referrals for people with developmental disabilities (DD) in underserved areas of New York State.
This funding will support Special Olympics New York’s Inclusive Health Program, an initiative to address persistent health disparities experienced by people with DD. Individuals with DD have lower rates of preventive health screenings and higher rates of chronic conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and obesity. This is due to a range of challenges, including inadequate provider training and inaccessible medical equipment, and communication difficulties. Through this program, CDD and SONY aim to reduce these disparities by increasing access to inclusive and high-quality services.
As part of the initiative, SONY will conduct health screenings and create and maintain an up-to-date provider directory for athletes and caregivers. This program will also support follow-up care referrals, recruit and train new clinical directors at SONY, who oversee healthy athlete screenings and collect and analyze data from healthcare professionals to inform future health equity efforts. The five-year program is expected to increase access to preventive health screenings and specialists and improve healthcare providers’ knowledge and capacity to effectively serve people with developmental disabilities.
SONY has been improving the health of people with DD by collaborating with athletes, healthcare providers, and communities. The organization provides year-round sports training and athletic competitions in a variety of Olympic-style sports for children and adults. These programs give participants ongoing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy, and share skills and friendship with their families, fellow athletes and the broader community. Special Olympics has been changing lives since 1968, and through programs like these, SONY goes beyond competition to promote inclusion, wellness, and good quality of life for thousands of New Yorkers with DD.
Kristin Proud, Executive Director of the NYS Council on Developmental Disabilities said, “This grant project with Special Olympics New York reflects CDD’s ongoing commitment to advancing health equity for people with developmental disabilities by improving access to healthcare resources, preventative screenings, and follow-up supports they need to live healthy and fulfilling lives. By partnering with Special Olympics New York, the CDD is helping to address long-standing health disparities in healthcare access and strengthening systems that promote inclusion, wellness, and improved health outcomes for people with developmental disabilities in underserved communities throughout New York State. I thank the Special Olympics team for their partnership with the CDD on this initiative.”
Stacey Hengsterman, President and CEO of Special Olympics New York said “We are deeply grateful to the New York State Council on Developmental Disabilities for its investment in the health and well-being of our athletes. This partnership will allow us to expand access to preventive health screenings, strengthen referral pathways, and ensure that our athletes - particularly in underserved communities - receive the inclusive, high-quality care they deserve.”
CDD funded initiatives and programs are supported in part by funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Community Living.