This course will discuss the major health inequities that people with intellectual disability face in healthcare today and how that relates to the field of physical therapy. The impact of these inequities can have serious consequences for people with intellectual disabilities, particularly when attempting to compete in sports. To combat these inequities and risks, this course will review the Special Olympic Healthy Athletes program. The speaker will present various ways the physical therapy profession can contribute to optimizing the ability for people with intellectual disability to compete in sports & interact with their community successfully.

Course Objectives: 
At the end of this session, participants will: 
• Indicate major health disparities and inequities for people with intellectual disabilities (ID)
• Understand key factors contributing to health disparities/inequities for people with ID. 
• Describe Special Olympics Health programming and how it relates to physical therapists.
• Cite local resources to support physical therapists in providing care for people with ID.

Dr. Kathleen Rodriguez, originally from the Baltimore, MD region, attended Nazaeth College in Rochester, NY to receive her undergraduate and graduate degrees. In 2018, Dr. Rodriguez graduated with her Doctorate in Physical Therapy. Prior to transitioning to her current role, she worked clinically as an outpatient orthopedic therapist serving many roles and treating a variety of populations. Now, as the Senior Clinical Program Manager for Physical Therapy and Podiatry at Special Olympics International, Dr. Rodriguz focuses on global programming for preventative and inclusive healthcare for people with intellectual disabilities. She currently resides just outside of the Louisville area with her husband and golden retriever puppy. She is an avid Baltimore Ravens football fan and enjoys running her free time.