Intellectual Impairment
Paralympics New Zealand (PNZ) is responsible for managing the eligibility process for athletes with an Intellectual Impairment or Autism wishing to compete in Para athletics, Para swimming and Para table tennis or Virtus sports. Para athletics, Para swimming and Para table tennis are currently the only Para sports with Intellectual Impairment sport classes at the Paralympics Games.
PNZ processes national eligibility applications for athletes with an intellectual impairment which enables athletes to compete in regional, national and/ or international competitions.
There are currently three eligibility groups:
- II-1 – Intellectual Disability
- II-2 – Intellectual disability with significant additional impairment
- II-3 – Autism (Virtus only)
Intellectual Impairment Eligibility
Athletes with an Intellectual Impairment have an Underlying Health Condition causing restriction in general mental functions required to understand and constructively integrate the various mental functions including all cognitive functions and their development over the life span.
Based on the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disability (AAIID) definition for intellectual impairment, the PNZ Minimal Impairment criteria for Eligibility to compete in Para sport and Virtus competitions is:
- Significant impairment in intellectual functioning.
- Significant limitations in adaptive behaviour as expressed in conceptual, social, and practical adaptive skills.
- Significant impairment in intellectual functioning and significant additional impairment (Virtus competitions)
- Intellectual impairment must be evident during the developmental period which is from conception to 22 years of age.
- Evidence of Autism (Virtus competitions)
National Eligibility
For eligibility to be assessed in the sports of Para athletics, Para swimming and Para table tennis, please contact your National Sports Organisation (NSO) for a copy of the National Eligibility Application Form. A completed form with supporting medical diagnostic evidence will need to be sent to your NSO ahead of review by PNZ’s National Eligibility Officer (NEO). The outcome of the review will be communicated to the NSO, athlete and athlete’s representative.
If you require contact details for your NSO, please contact PNZ via [email protected].
Medical Diagnostic Evidence
Please contact your NSO for a copy of the MDF template as the application process is managed by each NSO. If you require contact details for your NSO, please let PNZ know.
Evidence needs to be submitted to support a diagnosis of intellectual impairment, or intellectual impairment and significant additional impairment, or autism. This will include results of a formal psychological assessment and/or formal diagnosis. If this is not available, then the following will be accepted:
- A signed statement by a psychologist, medical doctor or pediatrician confirming the athlete has an intellectual impairment, autism and/ or a significant additional impairment.
- Evidence that the student is on ORS (Ongoing Resourcing Scheme) because of an intellectual impairment or autism. The student may attend a special school, a special unit at a mainstream school, or be included in a mainstream class through the support of an adapted curriculum as set out in an individual education plan and/or proof of currently receiving one or more of the following services because of a diagnosis of intellectual impairment or autism: (accommodation, employment, financial support).
- Intellectual impairment must be evident during the developmental period which is from conception to 22 years of age.
International Competition and Eligibility - Virtus
Virtus is the International Federation for sport of athletes with an intellectual impairment and is responsible for managing and overseeing the eligibility process for athletes wishing to compete in all Virtus competition.
PNZ is the National Sports Organisation affiliated to Virtus and is responsible for managing and overseeing the eligibility process for athletes with Intellectual Impairment or Autism wishing to compete in Virtus sports plus Para sports of Para athletics, Para swimming and Para table tennis.
For those wishing to compete internationally, please contact your National Sports Organisation or PNZ for a copy of the Virtus Eligibility Form.
To assist with completing the Virtus Eligibility Form, please read the Athlete Eligibility Application Guidance Notes prior to completing to ensure all details are submitted correctly.
