SONH Heads to Capitol Hill to Advocate for Inclusion
February 10, 2026
This week, Special Olympics New Hampshire proudly joined the national Special Olympics movement in Washington, DC for Capitol Hill Day, an annual advocacy event that brings athletes, Unified partners, and supporters together to champion inclusion on the national stage.
Representing New Hampshire were Addie Shamansky and Kahmyah Rogers-Lewis from Plymouth Regional High School, alongside faculty member and Special Olympics New Hampshire Board member Danee Dalphonse. Together, they joined more than 250 Special Olympics athletes, Unified partners, program leaders, and family members from across the country for three impactful days of learning, connection, and advocacy.
A Powerful Start in the Nation’s Capital
The New Hampshire delegation arrived early in Washington, DC and wasted no time making the most of their first day. For both Addie and Kahmyah, this marked their very first visit to the nation’s capital, and they embraced the opportunity to explore and learn together, including a visit to the Museum of Natural History.
From there, the focus quickly shifted to preparation. Delegates participated in national trainings alongside teams from across the country, working to refine their messages, finalize speeches, and prepare their advocacy “asks” ahead of meetings with Members of Congress.
The day wrapped up with final preparations, an athlete social, and time spent connecting with Capitol Hill Day volunteers, building community with fellow advocates who share the same mission.
What Is Capitol Hill Day?
Capitol Hill Day is an annual advocacy event hosted by Special Olympics that empowers athletes to serve as self-advocates by meeting directly with Members of Congress. Through face-to-face conversations in both the U.S. House and Senate, athletes and partners share their lived experiences and educate lawmakers on the life-changing impact of Special Olympics programs.
Advocating for Inclusion That Works
Throughout Capitol Hill Day, delegates advocated for continued support of programs like Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools, which foster inclusive school communities through Unified Sports, inclusive clubs, and youth leadership opportunities. In New Hampshire alone, Unified Champion Schools programming is active in 114 schools and more than 12,000 schools nationwide, with a goal of reaching 20,000 schools by 2030.
Delegates also highlighted the importance of Special Olympics health initiatives, which provide free health screenings and help train healthcare professionals to deliver more inclusive, respectful care. These programs improve health outcomes, reduce stigma, and create long-term impact for individuals with intellectual disabilities.
Public and private support remains essential to keeping Special Olympics programs free for participants. At its heart, Capitol Hill Day is about athletes leading the conversation, sharing their stories, and reminding lawmakers that inclusion is not only the right thing to do, it is effective, powerful, and necessary.
As Addie, Kahmyah, and Danee took their seats at the table on Capitol Hill, they carried with them the voices of athletes across New Hampshire. We are incredibly proud of their leadership, preparation, and commitment to creating a more inclusive future.