United Airlines is set to expand its Special Olympics Service Ambassador (SOSA) program to include three additional major hubs: Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), San Francisco International Airport (SFO), and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). This expansion will add ten more Special Olympics athletes, increasing the total number of SOSA hires to 28 across all seven of United's U.S. hubs. The initiative aims to provide inclusive employment opportunities for individuals with intellectual and physical disabilities.
The SOSA program, which began in 2019, offers part-time employment at United airports specifically for Special Olympics athletes. NFL Hall of Famer Jerry Rice participated in a recent event in San Francisco to support the new recruitment effort.
Initially launched at Chicago O'Hare International Airport during National Disability Employment Awareness Month in 2019, the program later expanded to Houston, Denver, and Washington D.C. Now it will be available at LAX, SFO, and EWR. Participants will work part-time while receiving full employee benefits and assist with customer service tasks such as check-in guidance and security assistance.