NATIONAL CLASSIFICATION THEORY 2013 – Julie O’Neill & Erin Popovich

NATIONAL CLASSIFICATION THEORY HISTORY of INTERNATIONAL (IPC) CLASSIFICATION Stoke Mandeville Games 1988 Seoul Paralympic Games Introduction ‘Functional Classifcation’ Classification Audit Approval IPC Classification Code Implementation IPC Classification Code

NATIONAL CLASSIFICATION THEORY HISTORY of CLASSIFICATION 3 The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) adopted a universal classification code in an effort to support and coordinate the development and implementation of accurate, reliable, consistent, and credible sport-specific classification systems. The Code was voted upon at the 2007 IPC General Assembly. The Code was signed by National Paralympic Committees (NPCs), International Federations (IFs), and other relevant parties at the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games. The Code became effective for all signatories as of the Opening Ceremonies of the 2010 Vancouver Paralympic Games (March 12, 2010).

NATIONAL CLASSIFICATION THEORY CODE Components 4 The Code outlines policies and procedures that are to be addressed and included within all sports’ classification rules. Protests & Appeals Classifier Education Athlete Evaluation Sport Class Status Allocation Master List

NATIONAL CLASSIFICATION THEORY INTERNATIONAL CLASSIFICATION CODE (the “CODE”) – Each IF shall have its own Classification Rules that must comply with the Code – Classification is undertaken to ensure that an Athlete’s impairment is relevant to sport performance – Classification has two important roles: To determine eligibility to compete To group athletes for competition – IFs should develop evidence-based classification systems through research Classifiers shall be trained and certified by an IF

NATIONAL CLASSIFICATION THEORY INTERNATIONAL CLASSIFICATION CODE (the “CODE”) 6 GENERAL FACTS ABOUT THE CODE - INTERNATIONAL The Code outlines policies and procedures that will be common across all sports (i.e. protests, classifier education, athlete evaluation and status allocation). Each sport International Federation (IF) may have its own classification rules, but those rules must comply with the Code. Each sport IF must maintain a classification master list. CLASSIFIERS - INTERNATIONAL Each sport shall have a Head of Classification responsible for direction, administration, implementation of sport classification matters. Each competition shall have a Chief Classifier responsible for direction, administration, implementation of sport classification matters at the specified competition. Classifier development and education standards for each IF must comply with the Code. Trainee, Level 1 and Level 2 authorizations consistently across sports.

NATIONAL CLASSIFICATION THEORY Paralympic Classification Impairment Groups 7 Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) – includes Spina Bifida Cerebral Palsy (CP) – includes TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury / Stroke) Amputee (Dysmelia) Les Autres Blind / Visual Impairment Intellectual Impairment

NATIONAL CLASSIFICATION THEORY 3 R’s = Key CODE Components 8 Rules Sport Rules Comply with Code Relationship Athletes’ impairment is relevant to sport performance Resource Our people = classifiers = our greatest resource

NATIONAL CLASSIFICATION THEORY NPCs and the CODE 9 It is incumbent upon each National Paralympic Committee (NPC) that is a signatory of the Code to ensure that national classification policies and procedures are in compliance with the Code. The responsibilities of the NPC as per the Code include: Ensuring that classification rules conform with the Code; Developing and implementing a policy for its members to comply with the Code and establish procedures to address non-compliance with the Code; Promoting the development of a national classification strategy that includes education; Recommending to National Federations that individual National Federation Classification Rules should be in compliance with the Code. The United States Olympic Committee (USOC) is the NPC and a signatory of the Code. All National classification policies and procedures will be implemented through the USOC’s Paralympic & Sport Performance Divisions (U.S. Paralympics). As the NPC for the United States, and a signatory of the Code, U.S. Paralympics shall assume all governance for national classification. Any classification conducted outside the scope of the National Classification Policies & Procedures will neither be recognized nor upheld in any official proceedings. Organizations conducting classification in the USA outside of the scope of the National Classification Policies & Procedures may be sanctioned for non-compliance with the Code.

NATIONAL CLASSIFICATION THEORY U.S. Paralympics National Classification Strategy 10 The three core documents of the U.S. Paralympics Classification strategy are available as PDF downloadable documents at The USA Classification Policies and Procedures – GENERAL document addresses the aspects of classification that are applicable across all sports including governance; sport class statuses; protests, reviews and appeals; classification panels; and roles and responsibilities. The USA Classification Policies and Procedures – LOC document includes information for local organizing committees that wish to conduct national classification at their competitions including how to request a classification panel, determination of athletes to be classified, facility needs, and roles and responsibilities. The USA Classification Policies and Procedures – Education and Training document covers roles and responsibilities of the classifier, prerequisites for classifier training, levels of classifier certification and competency, and classifier training and education.

NATIONAL CLASSIFICATION THEORY Sport Class Status - International 11 International Sport Class Status & Sport Class The Code defines three (3) international sport class statuses for allocation following athlete evaluation. A sport class status is allocated to each athlete to indicate evaluation requirements and protest opportunities. The three international sport class statuses are: N – New R – Review C – Confirmed A sport class is a category defined by each International Federation [IF] in which athletes are categorized in reference to activity limitation resulting from impairment for that particular sport. Athletes are allocated a sport class (or sport classes as relevant) based on the classification rules of each IF. Ineligibility to compete is considered a sport class.

NATIONAL CLASSIFICATION THEORY Sport Class Status - National 12 National Sport Class Status & Sport Class National sport classes will strictly adhere to the athlete evaluation guidelines set out by each respective IF. There will be no variation from the IPC/IF Sport Class evaluation system and the respective Sport Class designations in the national classification process. The three national sport class statuses are: NN – National Classified NR – National Review NC – National Confirmed

NATIONAL CLASSIFICATION THEORY Classifiers & Classification Panels - International 13 Classifiers are “Officials”. A classification panel is a group of classifiers empowered by the rules of the respective IF to evaluate athletes, allocate a sport class and designate a sport class status. International classification panels must included a minimum of two classifiers [an IF may require more than two classifiers constitute a classification panel]. The Code defines three (3) levels of classifier recognition internationally. Trainee - An individual who is in the process of formal training by the IF, but who is not yet certified as a Classifier and may not be an appointed member of a Classification Panel at an international competition. This individual is unable to allocate an International sport class. Level 1 - An individual who has successfully completed the formal training of the IF and has been certified to be a member of a Classification Panel at an international competition. This individual may participate in the assignment of sport class with minimum supervision of more experienced classifiers. Level 2 - An individual who has successfully completed the formal training of the IF and has demonstrated the appropriate level of experience as a Classifier in the relevant sport, as determined by the IF. This individual may participate in the assignment of sport class with no supervision from more experienced classifiers. Each IF must establish the following positions: Head of Classification: a classifier responsible for the direction, administration, coordination and implementation of classification matters for the IF. Chief Classifier: a classifier responsible for the direction, administration, coordination and implementation of classification matters for a specific competition.

NATIONAL CLASSIFICATION THEORY Classifiers & Classification Panels - National 14 National classification panels are defined on a sport by sport basis in the sport specific documents that supplement the USA Classification Policies and Procedures. National classifiers, approved by U.S. Paralympics and/or the respective sport National Federation (NF) to conduct national classification within the United States, shall be designated with the following levels of education/certification: USA Trainee: An individual who is in the process of classification training and education nationally by U.S. Paralympics and/or the respective NF, but who is not yet certified as a Classifier and may not be an appointed member of a Classification Panel at a national competition. This individual is unable to allocate a national sport class. USA National Classifier: An individual who has successfully completed the relevant training and education nationally by U.S. Paralympics and/or the respective NF and is approved to be a member of a Classification Panel at a national competition. This individual may allocate national sport class and sport class status. IF/IPC Trainee (as per IF designation) Level 1 (as per IF designation) Level 2 (as per IF designation)

NATIONAL CLASSIFICATION THEORY Classifiers & Classification Panels - National 15 U.S. Paralympics and/or the respective sport National Federation (NF) shall establish the following positions (national): Head Domestic Classifier (HDC): A classifier who has the highest level of international authorization (i.e. Level 2) for the respective sport and who will work at the direction of U.S. Paralympics to facilitate Code compliance for the sport within the United States. Specific roles and responsibilities of the HDC are outlined in the U.S. Paralympics Classifier Training & Education Manual. The HDC role may be “filled” by the NGB/HPMO and not an individual. Chief Classifier (CC): The Classifier responsible for the administration, direction, co-ordination and implementation of Classification matters for a specific competition.

NATIONAL CLASSIFICATION THEORY Protests & Appeals - International 16 A Protest is the procedure by which a formal objection to an Athlete’s Sport Class is submitted and subsequently resolved. An Appeal is the procedure by which a formal objection to the manner in which classification procedures have been conducted is submitted and subsequently resolved. Protests may only be submitted by a representative of a National Paralympic Committee (NPC), National Sport Federation, or IF. Each IF must detail procedures for submitting a protest in-competition and out of competition. Each IF must have an appeal process which is consistent with the IPC Board of Appeal of Classification (BAC) bylaws. The appeal body for ALL appeals during the Paralympic Games shall be the IPC BAC.

NATIONAL CLASSIFICATION THEORY Protests & Appeals - National 17 USA Classification Protest form. The protest must be submitted a minimum of 60 days prior to the competition where the individual submitting the protest is requesting that the protest classification panel be conducted. If the requested competition does not have an appropriate national classification panel available / assigned that meets the protest panel requirements for the respective sport, accepted protests will be carried over to the next available competition with a classification panel that meets protest requirements. There is no provision or opportunity for in-competition protests within the U.S. Paralympics National Classification system. The national protest fee shall be $100. This fee is non-refundable and must be submitted along with the protest form to U.S. Paralympics. Reasons for the protest must be clearly outlined on the protest form.

NATIONAL CLASSIFICATION THEORY Protests & Appeals - National 18 The following grid explains the eligibility process for the submission of protests and who is eligible to file a protest: # Athlete may submit a request for National Review if a change in medical condition / impairment ** Protest may be lodged under exceptional circumstances National classification appeals shall follow the USOC Complaint Procedures for U.S. Paralympic National Teams and U.S. Paralympic Programs. Athlete Sport Class Status May be Protested by the Athlete/Coach/Club and/or other Athlete/Coach/Club May be Protested by Head Domestic Classifier NC (National Confirmed)NO#YES** NR (National Review)YES / NOYES NN (National Classified)YES [Int’l] R (Review)NO [Int’l] C (Confirmed)NO

NATIONAL CLASSIFICATION THEORY National Strategy 19 SPORT Policies & Procedures National MASTER LISTS Education of CLASSIFIERS Sport-specific opportunities Strategy for sport build-out Pre-requisites / Interested Parties List Code of Conduct Legal “Stuff”

NATIONAL CLASSIFICATION THEORY Resources 20 International Paralympic Committee (IPC) International Classification Code Paralympic Games Classification Guides U.S. Paralympics (NPC) National Policy & Procedure documents National SPORT Master Lists Sport-specific rules/regulations/policies IPC and IFs (International) NGBs / NFs (National)