The three-day event brings a variety of health specialists from around the province to meet athletes and other people with disabilities to perform free exams on eyes, ears, feet, teeth and three other areas. A fitness room sponsored by Participaction is hosting fitness and lifestyle activities, and there will be a marketplace display of health products.

"This is the first time we've ever held a program in conjunction with the Special Olympics. What we do is bring in podiatrists, dentists and other specialists to examine people with disabilities who may not get this care otherwise," said Glenn MacDonell, president of Special Olympics Ontario for 18 consecutive years.

About 1,000 people will be screened and registered with the Special Olympics, which is set to take place May 29 to 31 in Durham Region.

"We're doing the screenings because we want to let people know that we run programs 365 days of the year. It's a touchpoint for caregivers and parents who don't know how to find specialists. Also, associations like the Association for Community Living and others are happy to partner with us to get the services of the clinicians we bring in. We think this will be a powerful legacy for people in Durham Region," said Mr. MacDonell.

Following a Thursday night kick-off with special guests like Margaret Best, Minister of Health Promotion, and Bob Gobrecht, managing director of Special Olympics North America, the expo will host 600 children between 10 and 18 years old from both the Durham and the Durham Catholic district school boards, while on Saturday the expo features 400 adults.

"There's a stigma attached to treating people with intellectual disabilities, so this is a good venue for them to meet health care professionals," said Mr. MacDonell.

The Healthy Athletes Expo program began internationally in 1997 with the goal of improving athletes' ability to train and compete in the Special Olympics. The program now exists in more than 90 countries.

Sponsored primarily by the Ontario Trillium Foundation and Durham College/UOIT, the Healthy Athletes Expo will also be supported by the Durham Regional Police. One-hundred and fifty students will volunteer their time throughout the weekend.