United Set to Hire More Special Olympics Athletes As Customer Service Ambassadors
Rhea-AI Summary
United Airlines (NYSE:UAL) announced the expansion of its Special Olympics Service Ambassador (SOSA) program to Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Newark hubs. The initiative aims to hire 10 more Special Olympics athletes, bringing the total to 28 SOSAs across all seven U.S. hubs.
NFL Hall of Famer Jerry Rice participated in San Francisco to support recruitment efforts. SOSAs work part-time with full benefits, helping customers navigate airport facilities. The program, launched in 2019, demonstrates United's commitment to creating employment opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities.
This expansion builds on United's extensive partnership with Special Olympics, which includes various initiatives such as plane pull competitions, Capitol Hill Day support, and accessibility improvements across their services.
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News Market Reaction
On the day this news was published, UAL gained 1.13%, reflecting a mild positive market reaction.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
Airline expands industry's only Special Olympics Service Ambassador (SOSA) program to
NFL hall of famer Jerry Rice suits up in
United SOSA duties include welcoming customers in the airport lobby and helping them find check-in kiosks, bag check locations and navigate security lines
Former
"I've been fortunate to be part of lots of winning teams and world-class organizations, and it's a real honor to be part of a program like this that proves greatness comes from giving everyone a shot," said Jerry Rice. "What I saw today being trained by these SOSAs was dedication, skill, and heart, and that's what makes a team unstoppable."
United's SOSA program gives Special Olympics athletes the opportunity to earn part-time employment with full employee benefits. United SOSAs welcome customers in the airport lobby and help them find check-in kiosks, bag check locations, and security lines. Post-security responsibilities include navigating the terminal and using digital customer service tools.
"Our Special Olympics Service Ambassadors deliver a daily dose of inspiration and an extra set of helping hands to our employees while also providing friendly, timely service to our customers," said United Chief Operations Officer and Special Olympics board member Toby Enqvist. "I'm so proud of our SOSA team and look forward to growing at three more of our hubs – they not only enhance the customer experience in a uniquely United way, but also help to foster inclusive, dynamic, and engaging workplaces for all."
"The continued expansion of United's Special Olympics Service Ambassador program is a powerful example of what true inclusion looks like in action," said Zehra Sayin, Chief Communications, Development and Marketing Officer of Special Olympics. "By creating meaningful, visible roles for our athletes, United is not only enhancing the travel experience for its customers but also helping to shift perceptions about the capabilities of people with intellectual disabilities. We are proud to partner with United as they lead the way in showing how diversity and inclusion can strengthen workplaces, communities, and lives."
United first launched the SOSA program in
Since its inception, the Special Olympics Service Ambassadors program has given Special Olympics athletes the opportunity to gain firsthand experience working as part-time employees for United Airlines.
"As an athlete, I lean on skills like teamwork and communication to excel in my sport and being able to share those experiences and skills with United customers is really fulfilling," said Lauren Miller, a current United SOSA in
United's Storied History with Special Olympics
United has a longstanding partnership with Special Olympics that includes a wide range of sponsorship and event activations including plane pull competitions, localized volunteering, support of the Capitol Hill Day in
As sponsors of the 2025 Capitol Hill Day, United supported Special Olympics delegates championing inclusion and critical funding. Special Olympics athletes led more than 330 face-to-face meetings with Members of Congress in both the House and Senate, inviting their elected officials to partner with them to support inclusive education and health initiatives for people with intellectual disabilities. The event brought together more than 275 participants from 50 programs across the country.
In 2025, United's Chief Operations Officer, Toby Enqvist was appointed to the Board of Directors for Special Olympics International. His leadership adds momentum to the airline's shared commitment to inclusion in the workplace and empowering individuals with intellectual disabilities on a global level.
United customers can also support Special Olympics through United's Miles on a Mission program. To learn more, visit united.com/donate where you can donate miles and become a MileagePlus® Member for free.
Accessibility Initiatives at United
United Airlines' implementation of the SOSA program is just one of the many ways the airline has dedicated itself to fostering welcoming and inspiring environments for everyone, both travelers and employees alike.
For over eight years, United has been a Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion and has worked to improve accessibility through measures including:
- The industry's first digital sizing tool for wheelchairs and reimbursing the difference in fares if a customer needs to pay more for a flight that can accommodate their wheelchair.
- The first
U.S. airline to add Braille to aircraft interiors to help millions of travelers with visual disabilities more easily navigate the cabin independently
Launching a new collaboration last year with United Spinal Association where the organization will help support and advise the airline in its efforts to improve accessibility throughout the entire travel experience.
- The United mobile app makes it easier for people with visual disabilities to use by offering increased color contrast, more space between graphics and an enhanced display and announcement of information to better integrate with the screen reader technologies like VoiceOver and TalkBack
- United's Inflight Seatback Entertainment screens offer a wide range of accessible features like closed captioning, text-to-speech controls, magnification, explore-by-touch capabilities, audio-described movies, and adjustable and high-contrast text and color correction
- United offers day-of travel support for the visually and hearing impaired with Agent on Demand where a customer can use audio, video and chat to get assistance by a United Customer Service Representative
About United
At United, Good Leads The Way. With
About Special Olympics International
Founded in 1968, Special Olympics is a global movement to end discrimination against people with intellectual disabilities. We foster acceptance of all people through the power of sport and programming in education, health and leadership. With nearly four million athletes and Unified Sports® partners and one million coaches and volunteers in more than 170 countries, Special Olympics delivers more than 30 Olympic-type sports and nearly 50,000 games and competitions every year. Engage with us on: X, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn. Learn more at SpecialOlympics.org.
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SOURCE United Airlines
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