IPC Plans to Centralize Vision Impairment Classification Services
Author: International Paralympic Committee (IPC)
Published: 2024/08/16
Publication Type: Informative
Topic: Paralympic Games - Publications List
Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main
Synopsis: The new approach is envisaged to lead to optimised classification services for athletes with vision impairment. Currently, International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA), the IPC, and the respective international federations, are all involved in VI classification. However, this combined effort leads to unclear roles and responsibilities across different stakeholders, and sometimes results in duplicated efforts.
Introduction
Following discussion with its member organisations and detailed planning, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) is looking to offer centralised vision impairment (VI) classification services for the Paralympic Movement from 2025 onwards.
Main Item
By offering international federations a centralized VI classification service, the IPC aims to:
- Conduct all stages of VI classification with an athlete-centered approach, ensuring standardization of assessments
- Clearly define roles and responsibilities and increase collaboration between international federations and the IPC
- Pool resources to invest more in the integrity of VI classification systems, and preventing, identifying and managing cases of intentional misrepresentation
- Support the classifier workforce with more, regular dialogue, enhanced training and re-certification processes and services
- Further knowledge transfer and understanding of VI classification to facilitate evidence-based improvements
- Maximize resources through developing multi-sport and out-of-competition classification opportunities
- Increase the access of classification opportunities for athletes
There are 11 sports included on the Paralympic Games and Paralympic Winter Games sport programs which offer competition opportunities for athletes with a vision impairment. Additionally, there are a number of other sports which offer competition opportunities for this athlete population outside of the Paralympic Games program.
Currently, International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA), the IPC, and the respective international federations, are all involved in VI classification. However, this combined effort leads to unclear roles and responsibilities across different stakeholders, and sometimes results in duplicated efforts.
Tea Cisic, the IPC's Head of Classification, said:
"Following several years of discussions with international federations, the IPC will start to offer international federations a centralized vision impairment classification service from 2025 onward, bringing benefits to international federations, classifiers and, most importantly, athletes."
"Unlike classification for physical and intellectual impairments which is very sport specific, classification for athletes with vision impairment is unique in that the classification process, including the assessment methods and classifier workforce, is harmonized across Para sports. This creates efficiencies and opportunities to optimize the process."
"With the introduction of a new Classification Code from 2025, the start of new Paralympic cycle for summer sports, and ever improving technologies and methods, we believe now is the time to offer international federations a centralized approach where one organization - which has capacity, knowledge and expertise - leads on the delivery of common services across sports."
"The new approach will pool resources to allow greater investment in the development and integrity of vision impairment classification systems. The result will be standardization of assessments and a more athlete-centered approach."
The IPC is committed to innovative ways of supporting its members and developing Para sport; this initiative represents one of those efforts in the core area of IPC's business - classification. The IPC will regularly review the success of the centralized approach through feedback from stakeholders involved.
Attribution/Source(s): This quality-reviewed publication was selected for publishing by the editors of Disabled World (DW) due to its relevance to the disability community. Originally authored by International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and published on 2024/08/16, this content may have been edited for style, clarity, or brevity. For further details or clarifications, International Paralympic Committee (IPC) can be contacted at paralympic.org NOTE: Disabled World does not provide any warranties or endorsements related to this article.