Join the Special Olympics Florida’s Race for Inclusion

FLORIDA - APRIL 1, 2021 - The 14th annual World Autism Awareness Day is Friday, April 2, 2021. This important day is dedicated to educating the public about autism and to supporting people with autism and their families.

Local Special Olympics Florida athlete Jonathan Doring has autism and has become a powerful advocate for people with autism and other intellectual disabilities.

Jonathan has been involved in Special Olympics for more than 30 years, participating in golf, tennis, softball and bocce. He has competed in two USA Games, two World Games and has won more than 100 medals. He’s served as a World Games official, a Special Olympics Global Messenger and a member of the county and state Athlete Leadership Councils.

Jonathan knows that people with autism and other intellectual disabilities can do remarkable things, and he is passionate about ensuring they are given the opportunities to do so.

Those looking to support athletes like Jonathan should take part in Special Olympics Florida’s Race for Inclusion. This nine-month campaign seeks to create communities of inclusion and acceptance and celebrates the incredible potential of people with intellectual disabilities. It’s a collection of fundraising events benefiting more than 60,000 athletes across the state of Florida. To become a part of the movement or for more information, please visit www.raceforinclusion.org.

About Jonathan Doring – Palm Beach County

Years with Special Olympics: 32. Jonathan has been involved in SO for more than 30 years, participating in golf, tennis, softball, and bocce. He has participated in two USA Games and two World Games.

During his time with Special Olympics, he’s won more than 100 medals, has served as a World Games official, been a Special Olympics Global Messenger, and a member of the county and state Athlete Leadership Councils. In 2015, while working as a tennis referee at the World Games, Jonathan wrote a blog that was published on ESPN’s website.

“During the week of the Games, I learned that despite all my nerves and fears, I have what it takes to be a tennis referee,” he wrote. “I called 18 matches of all different skill levels. I even got to call a match in the ladies' semifinals -- a hard-fought match that lasted almost two hours. I did my best and everything went well."