Report on the Special Olympics and Optometry Giving Sight Partnership for Inclusive Vision Care

Introduction: A Partnership Aligned with Global Development Goals

A three-year partnership initiated in 2021 between Special Olympics and Optometry Giving Sight (OGS) has been implemented to address significant health disparities in vision care for individuals with intellectual disabilities (IDD). This initiative directly supports key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), primarily SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) by providing access to essential healthcare, and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) by targeting a marginalized population. The collaboration focuses on delivering vision services and training healthcare professionals in Kenya and the United States, thereby creating a sustainable model for inclusive health.

Global Impact and SDG Contributions (2021-Present)

The partnership has substantially exceeded its initial targets, demonstrating a significant contribution to global health and education goals.

Kenya

In Kenya, the program extended vision care services to remote communities, directly advancing SDG 3 by ensuring healthy lives for all ages. Key outcomes include:

• 2,149 children and adults with IDD received comprehensive vision assessments, surpassing the original goal of 500.
• 364 individuals received prescription eyeglasses, improving their quality of life and ability to participate in society.
• Local healthcare capacity was strengthened in alignment with SDG 4 (Quality Education) by providing hands-on training to 122 eye care practitioners and 206 optometry students.

United States

In the U.S., the initiative leveraged major sporting events to deliver essential health services and scaled up professional training, contributing to SDG 3 and SDG 4.

• 1,763 athletes received vision screenings at the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games and the Special Olympics Unified Cup.
• 1,008 athletes were provided with new prescription glasses.
• 1,474 eye care practitioners attended a series of eight online webinars on providing inclusive care, enhancing the professional skill set required to reduce health inequalities (SDG 10).

Case Study: Inaugural Screening in Ghana and Local Capacity Building

The partnership’s model was successfully replicated in Tamale, Ghana, on 22 July 2025, at the Yumba Special School. This event served as a powerful example of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), involving collaboration between Special Olympics Ghana, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), and multiple international partners. The screening advanced several SDGs through its targeted outcomes:

1. Health and Well-being (SDG 3): 51 athletes with profound intellectual disabilities received vision screenings. Nine received prescription glasses, and seven were referred for follow-up care for suspected glaucoma, addressing critical health needs.
2. Quality Education (SDG 4): By providing vision care, the initiative supports a more inclusive learning environment for students with disabilities. Furthermore, it provided a vital practical learning opportunity for 24 optometry students and professionals.
3. Reduced Inequalities (SDG 10): The event specifically focused on vulnerable children in an underserved community, ensuring they receive the attention and care necessary for equal opportunity.

Future Directives and Sustained Commitment to SDGs

The partnership is set to continue with a new three-year proposal aimed at deepening its impact and expanding its reach, maintaining a strong alignment with the SDGs.

• Capacity Building (SDG 3, SDG 4): Future plans for Ghana include training at least 20 eye care professionals and 40 optometry students, and certifying two new local Clinical Directors to ensure long-term program sustainability.
• Service Expansion (SDG 3, SDG 10): The goal for the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games in Minnesota is to provide screenings for at least 1,000 athletes, alongside training for 50 professionals and 100 students.
• Knowledge Dissemination (SDG 4, SDG 17): To promote global access to inclusive healthcare education, key training materials and lectures will be translated into Spanish, making them accessible to a wider international audience of health professionals and volunteers.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • The article’s primary focus is on providing vision care, a critical component of health and well-being. It details the provision of comprehensive vision assessments, prescription eyeglasses, and referrals for conditions like glaucoma to people with intellectual disabilities, a group that faces significant health disparities.
2. SDG 4: Quality Education
   • The initiative involves training eye care professionals and optometry students, enhancing the quality and capacity of the healthcare education system. The article mentions training 122 Kenyan eye care practitioners, 206 optometry students, and 1,474 practitioners through webinars in the U.S. Furthermore, providing vision care to children at the Yumba Special School directly supports their ability to learn and participate in education.
3. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • The program specifically targets people with intellectual disabilities, described as “a population often facing social isolation and significant health disparities.” By providing access to essential vision care that they might otherwise not receive, the initiative directly works to reduce health inequalities and promote the inclusion of a vulnerable group.
4. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • The article explicitly describes the project as a multi-stakeholder partnership. It highlights the collaboration between Special Olympics, Optometry Giving Sight (OGS), Lions Clubs International Foundation, Safilo, and the OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation, demonstrating how effective partnerships can achieve development goals.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Under SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being):
   • Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services and access to safe, effective, quality and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all. The article describes providing free vision screenings and eyeglasses to underserved populations in Kenya, the U.S., and Ghana, directly contributing to access to quality essential health-care services for people with intellectual disabilities.
2. Under SDG 4 (Quality Education):
   • Target 4.c: By 2030, substantially increase the supply of qualified teachers, including through international cooperation for teacher training in developing countries, especially least developed countries and small island developing States. While focused on healthcare professionals rather than teachers, the principle is identical. The program trained hundreds of eye care practitioners and optometry students in Kenya, the U.S., and Ghana, increasing the supply of qualified professionals capable of providing inclusive care.
3. Under SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities):
   • Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status. The initiative promotes the social and health inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities by addressing their specific health needs, thereby reducing a significant barrier to their full participation in society.
4. Under SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals):
   • Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships. The entire initiative is a case study for this target, detailing the successful partnership between non-profits (Special Olympics, OGS, Lions Clubs International Foundation) and corporate partners (Safilo, OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation) to deliver health services.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. For SDG 3, Target 3.8:
   • The article provides specific quantitative data on service coverage. Indicators include:
     • Number of children and adults who received vision assessments: 2,149 in Kenya, 1,763 in the U.S., and 51 in Ghana.
     • Number of individuals who received new prescription eyeglasses: 364 in Kenya, 1,008 in the U.S., and 9 in Ghana.
     • Number of individuals referred for follow-up care: 7 in Ghana.
2. For SDG 4, Target 4.c:
   • The article quantifies the increase in trained professionals. Indicators include:
     • Number of eye care practitioners trained: 122 in Kenya and 1,474 via U.S. webinars.
     • Number of optometry students trained: 206 in Kenya and 24 in Ghana.
     • Future plans to train at least 20 more eye care professionals and 40 optometry students in Ghana.
3. For SDG 10, Target 10.2:
   • Progress is measured by the number of individuals from the target vulnerable group (people with intellectual disabilities) who have been reached and provided with services. The total number of athletes screened across all mentioned locations (2,149 + 1,763 + 51 = 3,963) serves as a direct indicator of promoting inclusion for this population.
4. For SDG 17, Target 17.17:
   • The existence and success of the partnership itself is an indicator. The article names the specific organizations involved: Special Olympics, Optometry Giving Sight (OGS), Lions Clubs International Foundation, Safilo, and OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation. The successful implementation and expansion of the program, as detailed in the article, measures the effectiveness of this multi-stakeholder partnership.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: specialolympics.org