Microsoft promotes city-wide inclusion as 2018 Special Olympics sponsor

Image credit Microsoft Special Olympic skier Virginia Wade left, mother right

Microsoft's inclusion efforts have spanned hiring practices and inclusive product design. As the presenting sponsor for the 2018 Special Olympics, it hopes to transform the city of Seattle into a city of inclusion.

"Rise with Us" is the theme of this year's Special Olympics USA Games and is also Microsoft's Vice President Brad Smith's petition to Seattle residents and the global community to make this year's event the most inclusive to date.

Inclusion is a shared mission between Microsoft, one of the world's largest technology companies and the Special Olympics, the world's largest sports organization for individuals with intellectual and other disabilities. The Special Olympics had humble beginnings as a backyard summer camp founded by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, sister of former President John F. Kennedy in the 1960s. It is now a massive non-profit organization serving 5 million athletes in 170 countries, spanning 108,000 competitions with the support of thousands of volunteers.

Recording data, athlete performance, and medical and demographic information and more for such an endeavor is a massive challenge. That's why in 2014 Microsoft became the official Technology Partner for the Special Olympics. And this year that partnership reaches new heights as the two organizations common inclusion message receives special emphasis as Microsoft is the events presenting sponsor in its headquarters city of Seattle, Washington.

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