Thoughts on Inclusivity and Teaching Special Olympics

When I was first asked to write an article that was related to the concept of inclusion, my very first thought was, I need to talk to Tappie! For those of you who don’t know Tappie Dellinger, you should. A longtime friend and colleague since 1986, she has been working with Special Olympics athletes and has been heavily involved with the organization for a number of years. Simply put, her work is nothing short of extraordinary.

I’m excited to share her knowledge and passion with each of you. It is my hope that by sharing this interview, not only will you have a greater understanding of what Special Olympics is, but that you will feel inspired and more confident in your ability to create a more inclusive skating environment.

Interview with Tappie Dellinger

Special Olympics & U.S. Figure Skating Liaison, Special Olympics North America (SONA) World Games Head Coach, Special Olympics North Carolina (SONC) Sports Development Team Director, SOI Figure Skating Sports Resource Team-Chair, U.S. Figure Skating Special Olympics/Adaptive Skating Committee, SOI Sports Impact Standards Committee

What are the differences between the provisions of Special Olympics, Adaptive, Paralympic and able-body athletes?

This is a great question that a lot of coaches have. Special Olympics athletes have intellectual disabilities (ID), a term that is used to describe a person with certain limitations in cognitive functioning and other skills, including but not limited to communication and self-care.

Paralympic sport, on the other hand, is affiliated with the International Olympic and Paralympic Committee (IOPC) and is specifically for athletes with classified disabilities. Commonly, Paralympic athletes have physical impairments such as mobility disabilities, amputations, blindness, etc., which are classified to promote equitable competition between each athlete/team.

Denise and Tappie

Photo courtesy of Denise Williamson

Adaptive athletes may have any type of impairment or disability. It is important that all athletes have a place where they can participate in the sport they love, grow, and learn within the sport and have meaningful and competitive competitions worldwide.

When and how did you get started with Special Olympics?

I was introduced to Special Olympics ice skating through my coach when I was about 13 years old. I was skipping school one day so that I could practice and saw that he was working with a group of Special athletes. He asked me to help and I knew then that this was something I wanted to be part of my future.

What is your greatest challenge as a Special Olympics coach?

My greatest challenge is athlete acceptance. I want to help educate others that all athletes need help, and that some just require more guidance. If everyone would take a moment to acknowledge this, the world would be a better place.

What are your athletes’ greatest challenges?

Being accepted and believed in. All athletes learn at their own pace. It should be noted that it may take longer for a Special athlete to learn a skill, but the determination is there.

What is the longest time you have coached a particular athlete?

I have a speed skater that I have coached for nearly 20 years. When I started with him, he would just run on the ice—his feet would always be in motion. He is now one of the top ranked Special Olympics speed skaters within the USA and has served on a Special Olympics World Winter USA team in Korea in 2013. He still loves to skate, and he is a big hockey and NASCAR fan too!

What positives have you witnessed with your athletes participating in figure skating?

When I work with all my athletes, I know that the lessons I am teaching them are not only skating lessons but life lessons. Sometimes we do not realize that learning to put elements together on the ice also relates to everyday life skills. I have seen athletes learn to not be afraid to “fall down and get up,” hold their heads up, and perform in front of an audience. These are important for skating, and in their everyday lives. Proud positive moments for a coach.

What struggles have you witnessed with your athletes participating in figure skating?

Inclusion is still a big struggle. U.S. Figure Skating has a great program for Adaptive/Special Olympics skaters and the word is getting out there. Unfortunately, there are still many rinks and clubs that do not know about this wonderful program and do offer programs and events for this population of athletes. Please continue to spread the word!

Does the facility in which you coach provide you with support?

YES! We are very lucky to have the full support of the Extreme Ice Center, owner, management, staff, and crew. They are always there to help with ice time for the athletes, skate rental as needed, to lend a helping hand when possible, and most importantly to provide a safe and comfortable place for all the athletes to belong.

How do you incorporate your volunteer coaches with your athletes?

We have a fantastic group of volunteers and coaches for our athletes. I feel it is important that all the volunteers work with all the athletes during the group classes. It is valuable for the coach to help learn the personality of each athlete, and to help them become familiar with all age groups too. They help with teaching different skills and use different verbiage so that the athletes can feel empowered.

What has been your greatest disappointment? Or, what is the greatest misconception about SO?

It is always so disappointing to hear someone say, “Ice Skating is too difficult for an athlete to learn”. I feel that all people should be given a chance to try (and try again and then, again) to do anything that is offered to them. Yes, ice skating is challenging but when given the proper tools, instruction, support, and encouragement anything is possible. Let them try! My rule of thumb is six tries. It might take 1 or 2 times for the athlete to get used to having a skate on their feet, to stand or walk on the floor. Then a few more tries to be able to get the courage up to step on the ice. If you give up on the athlete, they give up on themselves.

You have had many wonderful achievements, which one bubbles to the top of this list?

To be able to bring the Special Olympics rules into the 21st century. Updating the Special Olympics rules, judges’ information, training guides, and adding more opportunities for competition for athletes.

Where have you traveled internationally with your athletes?

I have been to Japan, South Korea, Austria, Sweden, and Finland for training and competition. Within the USA I have been to Reno/Tahoe, Alaska, and Idaho.

Your husband, Chuck, is also involved with SO. Tell me what his involvement is.

Chuck is the Bowling expert. He is the SONC Bowling Sport resource Chair, SONA Bowling Expert, SO-USA Summer World Games Coach multiple times, and he will be serving as one of the International Technical Officials at the Special Olympics World Summer Games in Berlin Germany in June 2023. I am so proud of him and all he gives to others.

Can you share more information about the SO program in the us?

The Special Olympics and the USFS have a “Memorandum of Understanding” a proclamation to work together to better figure skating for all athletes. This has only been in place since January 2020, we are excited to see Special Olympics athletes included at local, area, regional, and sectional competitions. This year the athletes have been included in National Showcase events and at the Synchronized Skating Championship. There are still a lot of areas in the US that are not aware that their competitions can and should offer these events. I hope this helps to spread the word for all Special Olympic and Adaptive skating athletes within the US. There is a place for all athletes in figure skating and will you be the next coach to help?

Denise Williamson (MFS, MM, SFF, CC) is the chair of PSA's Education Committee.