SCOTTISH DISABILITY SPORT
ATHLETES WITH A LEARNING DISABILITY –
ELIGIBILITY (update Oct 2008)
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Since the mid-seventies access to the Scottish Disability Sport (SDS) programme of events and competitions for individuals with a learning disability has been based entirely on trust. Schools, centres and club representatives determine the eligibility of an individual. The decision is based on competition eligibility criteria. These criteria centre mainly on the individual having access to Special Education or Social Work Services. The Special Olympics movement has similar criteria to SDS but neither organisation requires any formal assessment or supporting evidence.
1.2 Scottish athletes with a learning disability who achieve performance levels in swimming and athletics that demonstrate international representative potential then have to pursue an “athlete eligibility application” through the International Sports Federation for Persons with Intellectual Disability (INAS-FID). This process is rigorous, robust, time consuming, sometimes costly and critically involves objective testing. A small number of Scots currently hold up to date registration cards for swimming, athletics and tennis.
1.3 A small number of sports currently use the INAS-FID system of registration but what about football, golf, netball etc? There is a requirement that Scottish swimmers and athletes entering for DSE events possess an INAS registration number. With such a small number of Scots registered participation levels are restricted. An alternative system had to be found. The UK Sports Association for People with a Learning Disability came up with a national registration for athletes participating in competitions in the UK. This registration scheme sits comfortably between the system operated by SDS and the very intensive registration process demanded by INAS-FID.
2. INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY – GENERAL ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
2.1 The diagnostic criteria for intellectual disability used by INAS-FID and the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) are consistent with those of the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the American Association on Mental Retardation, and are recognised internationally by professional organisations. The criteria include three requirements, all of which must be met.
· Significant impairment in intellectual functioning as indicated by a full scale score of 75 or lower on an internationally recognised and professionally administered IQ test (e.g. a Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-R) or Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Adults (WAIS-III).
· Significant limitations in adaptive behaviour as expressed in conceptual, social, and practical adaptive skills. Examples of these skills include: communication, self care, self direction and social/interpersonal skills. Significant limitations in adaptive behaviour are established through the use of standardised measures that have been norm-referenced on the general population including people with disabilities (e.g. Vineland Adaptive Behaviour Scales, AAMR Adaptive Behaviour Scales).
· Intellectual disability must be evident during the developmental period which is from conception to 18 years of age.
2.2 A registered charteredpsychologist with expertise in the diagnosis of intellectual disability must produce the required evidence. This expert must provide direct evidence (primary evidence) that explains the testing procedures and the results of these procedures that validate a diagnosis of intellectual disability.
2.3 An additional section of an INAS application is the sport information and consequences questionnaire (SIC-Q). This tool is the main source of information showing how and in what way an athlete’s intellectual disability affects sport. In other words the functional implications of intellectual disability on sports performance. All sections of the SIC-Q must be completed by the athlete’s coach. In addition the coach is expected to write a supporting letter explaining how the athlete’s intellectual disability affects his/her participation in sport.
2.4 The INAS registration process is rigorous and this is understandable. It is on a par with classification systems applied to athletes with physical or sensory disabilities who wish to compete in IPC competitions including the Paralympic Games. SDS should only be accepting athletes in to the national events programme who have the potential to satisfy the rigorous INAS criteria without the athlete having to complete the paperwork.
2.5 It should be noted that in the case of INAS-FID registration, every effort should be made to register athletes independent of any competition schedule. Because registration takes several months the process should begin at the point when the international potential of an athlete has been recognised and verified by appropriate SDS personnel.
3. THE WAY PRESENT POSITION IN SCOTLAND
3.1 SDS continues to implement its long standing eligibility entry criteria for individuals with a learning disability. This is based almost entirely on trust and the competency of local organisers. It is hoped that local organisers will consider the INAS-FID general eligibility criteria when first entering athletes into SDS events without completing the paperwork.
3.2 The internationally approved INAS-FID athlete eligibility application form continues to be made available to Scots who have demonstrated a standard of performance that makes them eligible for international representation. Ideally the co-ordinators of specific sports make the recommendation in the first instance and provide supporting performance details that equate to international standards. Players in team sports as well as individual sports are subject to the process of confirming eligibility if international participation is being considered.
3.3 SDS has adopted the UKSA national registration scheme for individual athletes and swimmers with a learning disability competing in competitions in the UK. It is hoped that this method of registration will be adopted for all national squads across all SDS sports e.g. football. The introduction of this system is the first step in the verification process that confirms the eligibility of an individual Scottish athlete with a learning disability for IPC/INAS events.
3.4 It is important to note that this system will undergo regular review.
4. THE UKSA NATIONAL REGISTRATION SCHEME EXPLAINED
4.1 Part 1 requires the athlete to provide personal details.
4.2 The second section is about social adaptation. Those with responsibility for the athlete’s care must complete and sign this section. Supporting evidence is required and two relevant areas must be linked to the athlete from the following list.
· Special Education
· Special accommodation
· Special employment
· Special protection by guardian or other respite care
· Financial support
4.3 Confirmation is required that the age of the onset of the learning disability occurred before the age of 18. This is in addition to the two criteria for social adaptation. Supporting evidence is required from a Headteacher and/or a copy of a statement of educational needs or a letter from the athlete’s GP.
4.4 Evidence of the intellectual level of the athlete should be provided by the school and signed ideally by a psychologist. If this is not possible then one of the following signatures is acceptable:
· Headteacher
· GP
· Specialist Medical Consultant
If the athlete is no longer at school the last school attended should be approached. If this is not possible and papers are not available from the athlete’s education, parents or any source then it may be necessary to arrange an assessment.
4.5 The sports the athlete is involved in have to be identified and a Data Protection Act statement signed.
This national registration process for athletes with a learning disability is recognised by DSE Events as well as the UKSA. It offers SDS a nationally recognised registration system across all sports for athletes who wish to access competition. From 2007 it is mandatory that all Scots entering the DSE Events programme must have an INAS registration number or be registered through the UKSA system.
5. FINANCE
The process involves a small charge. The major charge involves professional fees likely to be incurred if an independent assessment has to be commissioned through a psychologist.
6. PERSONNEL TO BE INVOLVED
| Level 1 (SDS) | Involvement at area level/entry to SDS national events – area organisers using the INAS-FID eligibility criteria. No forms to be completed. |
| Level 2 (UKSA) | Athletes recommended by sports co-ordinators – UKSA forms completed by local people plus sports co-ordinators then passed to Fife office of SDS for verification before being sent to UKSA. |
| Level 3 (INAS-FID) | Athletes recommended by sports co-ordinators against set performance criteria – forms requested from Norma Buchanan and completed in conjunction with the following SDS personnel – Richard Brickley - swimming plus other sports Janice Eaglesham - athletics plus other sports Gordon McCormack - football plus other sports Completed forms to be returned to the Fife office of SDS before being passed to UKSA. |
7. ADMINISTRATION
7.1 UKSA registration forms are available from the Fife office of SDS.
Contact:
Norma Buchanan, Administrator, Scottish Disability Sport Fife, Fife Sports Institute, Viewfield Road, Glenrothes, Fife KY6 2RB Email
norma.buchanan@fife.gov.uk
7.2 INAS-FID registration forms are available from the Fife office of SDS but only after approval has been given by the sports co-ordinator of the specific sport concerned.
8. ADOPTION BY BOARD
The above process was approved by the Board of SDS in October 2006. It was introduced to SDS procedures in February 2007.
Richard Brickley MBE
Coaching and Education
Scottish Disability Sport
Athletes with a Learning Disability UKSA Procedures UPDATE DEC 2008
Classification
Classification means an athletes' disability is assessed and then athletes are grouped together in their sport. This is done to make sure that everyone competing is doing so fairly and against other athletes with a similar disability.
Unlike other disability groups, there is just one classification for people with learning disability. To be classified as an athlete with "learning disability" or "intellectual disability" as it is known internationally, the athlete must provide evidence to show that they are eligible in three different areas.
Once "classified" each athlete is given a registration number and will be allocated by the Governing Body or Event Organisers to a disability group. Examples of these groups are:
- Swimming - S14
- Athletics (Track) - T20
- Athletics (Field) - F20
- Table Tennis - T11
Athlete Classification
Eligibility Criteria
There are three eligibility criteria which must be met for all athletes to be registered and classified as athletes with "learning disability". These are:
- Evidence of IQ - to show significant impairment in intellectual functioning as indicated by a full scale score of 75 or lower on a recognized and professionally administered IQ test.
- Evidence of limitations in adaptive behaviour - a measure of how learning disability affects both daily life and the ability to respond to life changes and environmental demands.
- Evidence of Age of Onset pre 18 - must be able to show that the learning disability was evident before person was 18 years old.
To provide the evidence needed in each section, the athlete will be required to provide a combination of reports, results from professionally administered tests and involve a number of professionals
Classification
Procedure
For athletes from Great Britain there are two levels of classification. Every athlete must apply for either a "UK Classification" (For athletes competing in UK competitions only) or an "INAS-FID Registration" (For UK and international competitions). An athlete can only compete as an athlete with learning disability if one of these are granted.
Before completing any application an athlete or their advocate should contact the Home Coun
