»Eligibility and Classification

Inas manages the primary eligibility process for athletes wishing to participate in sport for people with an intellectual disability and complies with the IPC Classification Code. Athletes must meet the eligibility criteria as defined by Inas, which is based upon the World Health Organisation and American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. Details of the eligibility criteria, evidential requirements and application process can be found below. The process is governed by the Inas Eligibility and Classification Policy.

Primary Eligibility and Sports Classification

The classification process for athletes with an intellectual disability comprises 2 parts:

  1. The primary eligibility check – managed by Inas
  2. Sports classification – managed by the relevant International Sports Federation

Athletes who successfully complete the primary eligibility check will appear on the Inas Master List. Athletes who do not appear on the list are considered ineligible.

Apply for Primary Eligibility

Athletes applying for a classification for the first time, should first contact their member organisation.

Applications should be made using the form below. Careful reference should be made to the Guidance Notes. Athletes who already appear in the Master List but wish to participate in a further sport should use the ‘Additional Sport’ form.

TSAL

All athletes applying for classification are required to complete the TSAL questionnaire. The TSAL is used for to inform the process of sports classification (see below).

In some sports, a sports-specific TSAL must be completed when the athlete is applying for sport-specific classification. Athletes will be advised if this is needed.

Application Deadlines

Athletes must appear on the Inas Master List no later than the final entry deadline of the competition for which the athlete is considering entry (these dates can be found on the events page). Inas recommends that new applications for athlete eligibility should be sent to the Secretariat at least 12 weeks before the final entry deadline. Please note that there is no ‘ Guest’ entry to Inas events.

Inas Master List

Inas maintains a Master List of athletes who have successfully completed the Primary Eligibility Check and are eligible for consideration for competition.

National Eligibility Officers

All Inas members should register their NEO with Inas. The NEO should review applications before they are sent to the Secretariat.

Sports Classification and the IPC Classification Code

As a member of the International Paralympic Committee and as condition of entry to the 2012 Paralympic Games, Inas adopted the IPC Classification Code, which requires the organisation to develop sport-specific classifications systems for athletes with an intellectual disability. This work has been overseen by a joint Inas-IPC working group, and has been supported by a dedicated research team and representatives from International Federations including ITTF.

For more information, visit the sport pages. For more information about the IPC Classification Code, visit the IPC website.

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