United Airlines and the Chicago Bears recently teamed up for one day at O’Hare International Airport to support and raise awareness of the Special Olympics. In 2019, United first introduced the Special Olympics Service Ambassador (SOSA) program, which invites Special Olympics athletes to become part-time airport employees to assist in welcoming United customers, finding check-in kiosks, TSA pre-check lines and luggage drop locations, Agent on Demand tasks, and more. There are 18 SOSA workers in Chicago, Washington, D.C., Houston, and Denver. More hubs in San Francisco and Los Angeles are expected to hire Special Olympic athletes later this year.
United has supported other Special Olympic events, including the Plane Pull® competitions, the Special Olympic World Games, and other local and international volunteer events. In 2023, 4,000 of the intellectual disabilities organization’s North American athletes, coaches, and staff traveled for various sports and athletic competitions, educational development, and leadership events. United has supported this initiative through its Miles on a Mission program, encouraging its MileagePlus® loyalty members to donate unused airline miles. To date, United has given more than $8.5M in cash and travel miles, supporting Special Olympic athletes.
United Airlines has been recognized as a Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion for eight years running and earns high marks on the Disability Equality Index. Its other initiatives have included enhancements for wheelchair users, the addition of Braille to aircraft interiors, a redesigned mobile app for visually impaired users, and accessible inflight entertainment features.
“Employing Special Olympics Service Ambassadors is truly a gift to both our United team and our customers in airports,” said Omar Idris, Vice President, United Airlines, Chicago O’Hare Hub. “Through the SOSA program and business resource groups like Bridge for people of all abilities, United Airlines strives to create an inclusive and dynamic workplace environment.”
Learn more about Miles on a Mission and how to donate airline miles here:
https://donate.mileageplus.com/
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