Enables people with similar degrees of function to compete as fairly as possible
Evolved with the growth of disability sport IPC classification code Apples & pears Athletics, rowing, cycling, swimming IWAS, INAS-FID, CP ISRA
Read slide; simple, flexible, consistent & objective, using validated, recognised tests makes it repeatable so different assessors would get the same result, if it is fair it will be acceptable to competitors Needs to be sensitive to what it is measuring, to be able to identify and differentiate. Reason I feel so strongly about classification because of Colin; UL amp & hemi on other side. Hadn’t been classified in Uk, went to Barcalona & ISOD system couldn’t classify him, not sensitive or flexible enough to cope with both amp & hemi on opposite sides. Had to compete as a guest, gutted. Look what happened to Jenny Ridley in Athens, classified out of competition she had been preparing years for. It shouldn’t have happened to either of them, so classification needs to be accessible. Every GB competitor should have opportunity to be classified in this country in own language before going abroad to compete. There aren’t enough classifiers in this country & I’ll explain why later. Also & NB , needs to be based on impairment. What is that & why?
Read slide; simple, flexible, consistent & objective, using validated, recognised tests makes it repeatable so different assessors would get the same result, if it is fair it will be acceptable to competitors Needs to be sensitive to what it is measuring, to be able to identify and differentiate. Reason I feel so strongly about classification because of Colin; UL amp & hemi on other side. Hadn’t been classified in Uk, went to Barcalona & ISOD system couldn’t classify him, not sensitive or flexible enough to cope with both amp & hemi on opposite sides. Had to compete as a guest, gutted. Look what happened to Jenny Ridley in Athens, classified out of competition she had been preparing years for. It shouldn’t have happened to either of them, so classification needs to be accessible. Every GB competitor should have opportunity to be classified in this country in own language before going abroad to compete. There aren’t enough classifiers in this country & I’ll explain why later. Also & NB , needs to be based on impairment. What is that & why?
Who definition of impairment is
Impairment can be divided into Locomotor; amputation, Sensory; blind, deaf Cerebral; intellectual/psychological Other; visceral eg renal failure Paresis, amp[utation, joint ankylosis, Upper motor neurone lesions, loss of sight, Intellectual disabiliity These are permanent impairments
Why measure impairment & not disability or handicap? Impairment is the bottom line & it won't change. You have an amputation or you don’t, It can be measured objectively. The impairment causes a disability or loss of function, but if you measure disability (loss of ability) by functional testing then someone with a severe impairment who has trained, overcome their impairment to some degree and become skilful would be considered minimally disabled because they have reduced their lack of ability. Well, why not handicap? Defined by WHO as limiting or preventing role. Not everyone who has a disability has a handicap & similar disabilities can have different handicaps How do you measure that objectively? David Blunkett,Jack Ashley,Heather McCartney Franklin D Roosevelt,Stephen Hawkins,Michael Caines May well not feel handicapped by their disability and have overcome their impairment to be successful in society But think of Mozart, his impairment disabled and handicapped him
If we apply that argument to this field athlete His impairment is that he is a trans-femoral amputee. He uses a prosthesis to run up to throw the javelin and without his prosthesis he has developed superb balance to shot put. We can’t classify him differently for each event he participates in and we can’t penalise him for his skill and training so he is classified by his impairment, which won’t change and can be directly & objectively compared with another trans-femoral amputee. If we were classifying him on his disability he would be penalised for overcoming his impairment and developing such amazing balance. So classification is based on impairment & groups those with the potential to have the same ability, if they have the talent & training. If they win it is because of their skill. .
There are some people who are Unclassifiable. They may be quite disabled by pain, fatigue (ME), numbness, ligamentous instability but these things may not be permanent and they may not be objectively measurable. These people do not meet the conditions for minimal functional disability of the classification system ( another reason why a sensitive test is so important) but they can still participate in their chosen sport.
Enables (flexible) grouping for different sports Grassroots to elite level the Profile System has been used at Paralympic Games since 2000 and for International competition for Disabled people and World Equestrian Competition since 1997. It was also used for International Triathlon competition in 2007. That was a brief look at the theory & philosophy, now lets look at an example of good practice in classification The profile system was devised by CM for DSE Its strength is that it is not sport specific or disability specific as others are, so competitor categorised for any sport, used in UK for juniors up to national level& some adults in some sports up to regional level, It can be used at grassroots level up to the point where a competitor enters open or international competition Unlike other systems if avoids need for assessors to have specialist knowledge These 2 things make it very accessible. I said earlier that there aren’t enough classifiers in this country. The profile system goes some way to addressing that because it is so accessible. But it has not been adopted internationally by many sports, at present only equestrian & triathlon. These 2 very different sports prove the point about its flexibility.
Client interview – basic relevant information Selection of one of three scales Conduct the examination Score – use assistance if available Consult graphics Match Scores to graphics Select Profile – Thus select Grade/Class
Prior to event Allowed to be accompanied by parent, coach or team manager Companion not allowed to contribute Should warm up May need technical testing eg swimming Consent ANC disqualified