Who Can Play? Eligible Impairments for Different Sports

Introduction Classification for a specific sport is a formal process conducted by certified classifiers for that sport. Each sport has its own classification system, and the rules for classification are determined by the responsible international sports federation. This resource provides a summary of which impairment types may be eligible for which sports at a competitive level. For each sport, there are minimal eligibility criteria, so even if a person has this impairment type, they may not be eligible to compete if their impairment falls below that minimal eligibility threshold. Please note that this information is intended as a GUIDE only and is prepared to the best of our knowledge at the date of publication. For detailed information on the classes per sport please click the link. For sport specific class enquiries contact Kelsey Singh and Disability Sports Australia will follow up.

ELIGIBLE IMPAIRMENTS for Paralympic Sports Not all sports are Paralympic Sports, but these impairment types provide the most useful guide across the board when thinking about eligibility for adaptive or disability sport generally. Other impairment types may be eligible for other, non-Paralympic Sports. Intellectual impairment has not yet been included in this document but will be addressed at a later date.

Impaired Muscle Power Reduced force generated by muscles or muscle groups, such as muscles of one limb or the lower half of the body, as caused, for example, by spinal cord injuries, spina bifida or polio. Impaired Passive Range of Range of movement in one or more joints is reduced permanently, for example due to arthrogryposis. Hypermobility of joints, joint instability, and acute conditions, Movement such as arthritis, are not considered eligible impairments. Limb Deficiency Total or partial absence of bones or joints as a consequence of trauma (e.g. car accident), illness (e.g. bone cancer) or congenital limb deficiency (e.g. dysmelia).

Leg Length Difference Bone shortening in one leg due to congenital deficiency or trauma. Short Stature Reduced standing height due to abnormal dimensions of bones of upper and lower limbs or trunk, for example due to achondroplasia or growth hormone dysfunction. Hypertonia Abnormal increase in muscle tension and a reduced ability of a muscle to stretch, due to a neurological condition, such as cerebral palsy, brain injury or multiple sclerosis. Ataxia Lack of co-ordination of muscle movements due to a neurological condition, such as cerebral palsy, brain injury or multiple sclerosis. Athetosis Generally characterised by unbalanced, involuntary movements and a difficultly in maintaining a symmetrical posture, due to a neurological condition, such as cerebral palsy, brain injury or multiple sclerosis. Visual Impairment Vision is impacted by either an impairment of the eye structure, optical nerves or optical pathways, or the visual cortex. Intellectual Impairment A limitation in intellectual functioning and adaptive behaviour as expressed in conceptual, social and practical adaptive skills, which originates before the age of 18.

Source: https://www.paralympic.org/classification/ (31 May 2016)

Disability Sports Australia Eligible Impairments Guide November 2016 1 Impaired Passive Impaired Muscle Leg Length SPORT Range of Limb Deficiency Short Stature Hypertonia Ataxia Athetosis Visual Impairment Power Difference Movement

Adaptive Mountain Biking YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES

Adaptive Surfing YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES

Alpine Skiing YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES

Archery YES YES YES YES YES YES YES

Athletics YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES

Badminton YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES

Biathlon YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES

Boccia YES YES YES YES YES YES

Canoe/Kayak YES YES YES

Cross-Country Skiing YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES

Cycling YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES

Disabled Water Ski PENDING

Electric Wheelchair Hockey YES YES YES YES YES YES

Equestrian YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES

Football 5-a-side YES

Disability Sports Australia Eligible Impairments Guide November 2016 2 Impaired Passive Impaired Muscle Leg Length SPORT Range of Limb Deficiency Short Stature Hypertonia Ataxia Athetosis Visual Impairment Power Difference Movement

Football 7-a-side YES YES YES

Goalball YES

Ice Sledge Hockey YES YES YES YES YES YES YES

Judo YES

Lawn Bowls YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES

Para Bobsled and Skeleton YES YES YES YES YES YES YES

Powerchair Football YES YES YES YES YES YES

Powerlifting YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES

Rowing YES YES YES YES YES YES YES

Sailing YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES

Shooting YES YES YES YES YES YES

Snowboarding YES YES YES YES YES YES YES

Swimming YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES

Table Tennis YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES

Taekwondo YES YES YES YES YES

Disability Sports Australia Eligible Impairments Guide November 2016 3 Impaired Passive Impaired Muscle Leg Length SPORT Range of Limb Deficiency Short Stature Hypertonia Ataxia Athetosis Visual Impairment Power Difference Movement

Triathlon YES YES YES YES YES YES YES

Volleyball Sitting YES YES YES YES YES YES YES

Volleyball Standing YES YES YES YES YES YES YES

Wheelchair Aussie Rules YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES

Wheelchair Basketball YES YES YES YES YES YES YES

Wheelchair Curling YES YES YES YES YES YES YES

Wheelchair Dance Sport YES YES YES YES YES YES YES

Wheelchair Fencing YES YES YES YES YES YES YES

Wheelchair Handball PENDING

Wheelchair Rugby YES YES YES YES YES YES

Wheelchair Tennis YES YES YES YES YES YES YES

Disability Sports Australia Eligible Impairments Guide November 2016 4