The Inclusion of Athletes with Intellectual Disabilities at the Paralympics

Since its inception, the Paralympic Games have always strived to showcase great sporting talent with a range of physical and sensory disabilities. So the inclusion of athletes with intellectual disabilities has been a much more checkered and controversial battle over who or how they should be admitted. For many years, the Paralympics featured events that were open to participants with intellectual disabilities. This began at the 1996 Atlanta Games, where sports such as basketball, track and field and swimming held events specifically for athletes with intellectual disabilities. However, this integration was short-lived and was destroyed by a major scandal at the 2000 Sydney Paralympics.

It turned out that there were no real cases of disability in the mental disability category that was supposed to be included by the Spanish team. The revelation seriously questioned the credibility of the classification, system and testing of these athletes. The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) was therefore forced to suspend all events for people with intellectual disabilities from the 2004 Athens Paralympic Games. This was a devastating blow to many athletes such as Swedish shot putter Jeffrey Ige, who was in his prime and expected to win a medal in Athens before the category was eliminated. It was not until the 2012 London Games that the IPC reintroduced events for mentally disabled athletes, and even then the options were extremely limited.

Today there are only three sports in the Paralympics, athletics, swimming and table tennis, that allow a single category of intellectual disability. Of the more than 4,400 Paralympians competing in Tokyo 2020, only about 120 have an intellectual disability. And within these three sports, the number of medal events for this group represents only a small fraction of the total. This lack of inclusion has led advocates and families to call on the Paralympics to do more to accommodate athletes with a wider range of intellectual disabilities. A petition organized by the parents of Spanish athlete Mikel Garcia, who has Down syndrome, has collected over 100,000 signatures calling for better representation.

The arguments of these supporters are convincing. Paralympians with physical or sensory disabilities are rightly celebrated for overcoming significant challenges to compete at the highest level. But people with intellectual disabilities also face enormous barriers, both in sport and in society in general. Shouldn’t they be given the same platform and recognition? Furthermore, the separation of the Paralympics and the Special Olympics, which primarily involve athletes with intellectual disabilities, reinforces the idea that these individuals are fundamentally different and “other” compared to their physically disabled peers. The combination of the two events could help reduce these stigmas and prejudices.

On the other hand, the IPC's caution regarding the inclusion of athletes with intellectual disabilities is understandable given the damage caused by the 2000 cheating scandal. Developing fair and effective classification systems for this population is extremely complex. And restrictions on the total number of Paralympians could make it difficult to dramatically expand events in this area.

I believe the ideal solution would be to find ways to better integrate athletes with intellectual disabilities into the core Paralympic program rather than allocating them to a separate event. This may require a phased approach with a gradual increase in the number and type of events offered. But the Paralympic movement should strive to be as inclusive as possible of all people with disabilities who are athletically capable of competing at elite levels. People with disabilities of all kinds deserve to be visible, celebrated and empowered. The Paralympic Games have the potential to be a platform for this, but only if they work together to expand opportunities for athletes with intellectual disabilities.

References

France24. (2021). Athletes with intellectual disability battle for Paralympic space. Retrieved from France24: https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20210831-athletes-with-intellectual-disability-battle-for-paralympic-space

NPHT. (2024). Atlanta 1996 Paralympic Summer Games. Retrieved from NPHT: https://www.paralympicheritage.org.uk/atlanta-1996-paralympic-summer-games#:~:text=There%20were%20several%20demonstration%20sports,compete%20at%20a%20Paralympic%20Games.

Pavitt, M. (2021). Official sanctioned over Sydney 2000 Paralympics scandal denies knowledge of cheating. Retrieved from Inside the Games: https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1113226/sydney-2000-paralympics-scandal-boss

The International Paralympic Committee's Decision on Russia and Belarus: Fair or Foul?

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) took an unprecedented move and barred the National Paralympic Committees (NPCs) of Russia and Belarus from being members of the organization's governing body and from its events. This follows the unprovoked invasion of Ukraine by Russia, which Belarus stands in support of, in violation of the Olympic Truce and the core principle of the Paralympic Movement of peace and inclusivity. On the other side, it puts the IPC on a hardline stand in prosecution of their stated values and sends an unambiguous message of condemnation for the unconscionable acts of warfare being waged by the government of Russia and Belarus. The IPC showed it would not turn a blind eye to the members' egregious violations of the Olympic Truce by kicking out those nations' Paralympic committees and stripping officials of their honors, and moving events from Russia and Belarus. This very strong moral stance of the people who supported the Paralympic Movement is directly aligned with the very beginnings of this movement in confronting the horrors and human rights atrocities of World War II.

Further, with the policy of neutral athlete for the Beijing 2022 Paralympics, in which Russians and Belarusians took part without national identification, it was meant not to penalize any individual for the transgressions of his government. However, allowing them to compete gave somehow the appearance of tacit approval for the actions of Russia, which was against the mission of the IPC. These membership suspensions clean up the mess that made it an ethical gray area.

On the other side, some would argue that the Paralympic Movement shall remain an apolitical sanctuary for all athletes to unite and compete independently from whatever their own country policies may follow. Inflicting blanket bans on all Russian and Belarusian para-athletes vocally anti-war included is an overreach that politicizes the Paralympics and punishes innocent athletes. There are also concerns about the IPC overstepping its governance authority on matters of international conflict resolution. While the Olympic Truce was violated, neither the IPC nor its members are empowered enforcers of the UN resolution. The ethical infractions, while abhorrent, did not directly impact the Paralympics' operations.

While imperfect, the IPC's decisive actions were probably necessary to preserve the integrity and moral credibility of the Paralympic Movement as a force for inclusion, peace, and human rights in the face of unconscionable attacks on those very principles. However, the verdicts should not be permanent, Russia and Belarus should have a pathway back to Paralympic citizenship once true reform and commitment to the Olympic Truce are demonstrated.

References

AP. (2023). Russians and Belarusians allowed to compete as neutral athletes at the 2024 Paralympics in Paris. Retrieved from AP News: https://apnews.com/article/paralympics-russia-paris-2024-ukraine-dc2118643231a21c01cd7fd374c5e4b6

FIEDLER, T. (2022). Russia, Belarus booted from Paralympic governing body. Retrieved from Politico: https://www.politico.eu/article/russia-belarus-permanently-banned-from-paralympics-committee/

IPC. (2022). IPC makes decisions regarding RPC and NPC Belarus. Retrieved from International Paralympic Committee: https://www.paralympic.org/press-release/ipc-makes-decisions-regarding-rpc-and-npc-belarus?fbclid=IwAR3zAi5KVUQl0OlWlEkQAczwnTfDUGGpTWr90MeZBaq3wjc1c4RfbXtkjSo

OlympicTalk. (2022). IPC bans Russia, Belarus Paralympic committees. Retrieved from NBC Sports: https://www.nbcsports.com/olympics/news/russia-paralympic-committee-banned-ipc

Classification and Inclusion in Paralympic Sports

The Paralympic movement has done wonders in promoting inclusion and providing opportunities for athletes with disabilities to showcase their talents on the world stage. However, the question of who should be eligible to compete and how to ensure a level playing field remains a thorny issue. On one hand, the Paralympic ideals of inclusion would suggest that every athlete with any type of disability should have a pathway to compete. Disability manifests in myriad ways, and arbitrarily excluding certain impairments from certain sports seems antithetical to the spirit of the movement. Every athlete who has overcome adversity deserves their chance in the spotlight.

However, the inherent nature of disability and the differences in types/severities of impairments makes classification exceptionally challenging from a fairness perspective. Athletes with minor disabilities may have much smaller physical limitations compared to those with severe impairments when it comes to competing in a particular sport. Allowing completely open eligibility could risk creating ludicrously imbalanced competitions. The current compromise is the classification system that aims to group athletes with similar physical capabilities and impairment profiles. But this system is imperfect and constantly evolving, as we've seen classification criteria shift over time. As new impairment types get added into certain sport classes, it can inadvertently raise the bar too high for athletes previously competing in that class.

Creating a fair playing field for different disabilities

1. Protecting opportunities for the most severely impaired. Paralympic sports were created to give a platform to those who could not reasonably compete against able-bodied athletes. As certain classes become more accessible to moderately impaired athletes, we must ensure pathways remain for those with the most profound disabilities.
2. Embracing innovation in classifications. The current system has flaws, but continuously refining the criteria and leveraging better biometric data could improve fairness over time. More precise classification tools are needed.
3. Expanding event programs. Perhaps the ultimate solution is simply having enough granular event categories to accommodate EVERY impairment profile fairly. Though logistically daunting, an explosion of new disability sport events could maximize inclusion.
4. Celebrating all levels. While elite Paralympic events are the pinnacle, we should promote Asia for disability sport at all levels, from grassroots community participation to national paralympic team qualifiers. Varying the competitive pathways allows athletes across the entire spectrum to feel welcomed.

The Paralympic movement will likely continue evolving its policies around eligibility and classifications. It's an immense challenge, but one worth getting right to honor the original inclusive vision while ensuring a fair playing field for all.

References

Carlin, L., McPherson, G., & Davison, R. (2024). The International Classification of Functioning Disability and Health Framework (ICF): a new approach to enhance sport and physical activity participation among people with disabilities in Scotland. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, 6, 1225198. https://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2024.1225198

Physiopedia. (2024). Athletes with Disabilities. Retrieved from Physiopedia: https://www.physio-pedia.com/Athletes_with_Disabilities

Smith, R. (2018). Does Paralympic sport benefit the right athletes? Retrieved from Linkedin:                               https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/does-paralympic-sport-benefit-right-athletes-rob-smith

Rethinking Disability: Moving Beyond the Medical Model

For years, disability has been perceived according to a medical model, where impairment or health condition of a person and his needs to "repair" or "overcome" the impairment or condition were underlined. This view of the matter sees disability as some sort of personal tragedy, something that has to be cured or rehabilitated. In recent decades, a new concept of disability has been developed; it is the so-called biopsychosocial model. It takes a broader look at disability, understanding the phenomenon as a result of an interactive process of the health condition of the individual and other environmental or social factors that could represent a barrier to the full realization of social life.

The medical model of disability is deeply rooted in our cultural psyche. We are conditioned to see disability as something to be surmounted, a personal deficiency needing correction. This approach has often brought in its wake stigma, discrimination, and the marginalization of people with disabilities. The individual is saddled with making all the adjustment and fitting into a world that was not designed to fit them or take their needs into consideration.

In contrast, the biopsychosocial model acknowledges that the limitations experienced by individuals with disabilities are often more a product of societal barriers than the impairment itself. These barriers can take many forms, physical, attitudinal, communication, policy-related, and more. When we fail to address these barriers, we create an environment that excludes and disempowers people with disabilities. Consider a person using a wheelchair. Probably, his or her physical impairment would tend to put him or her under the challenge of moving around within certain physical surroundings, but the real barrier would be a lack of ramps, elevators, and other facilities. A person is not disabled in himself, but he becomes so because of a incongruity in his needs and the design of the built environment.

This may also be presented through social stigma and oppressive policies or through lack of inclusive communication for persons with cognitive, sensory, or mental health-related disabilities, hence limiting them in their opportunities. These are not the barriers of their disability but rather the result of a system not created to support full participation.

For better orientation in a fair light to people with disabilities, the shift of our way of orientation must shift from the medical model to the biopsychosocial model. Rather, it calls upon us to recognize that disability is not a problem for one to "fix" but, on the contrary, an appreciable part of the human experience. Such a shift in focus makes powerful the implication that it implies moving away from regarding the 'disability' as a personal tragedy and viewing it more in the light of something natural and beneficial, reflecting the same aspect of human variation. It also means to design and adapt products, services, and environments to be used by people of all abilities, and not special accommodations made afterward. It means empowering individuals with disabilities to be active participants in shaping the policies and practices that affect their lives.

References

Bertschi, I. C., Meier, F., & Bodenmann, G. (2021). Disability as an interpersonal experience: A systematic review on dyadic challenges and dyadic coping when one partner has a chronic physical or sensory impairment. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, 624609. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7959177/

CDC. (2020). Common Barriers to Participation Experienced by People with Disabilities. Retrieved from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/disabilityandhealth/disability-barriers.html

Disabilitynottinghamshire. (2024). Social Model vs Medical Model of disability. Retrieved from Disabilitynottinghamshire: https://www.disabilitynottinghamshire.org.uk/index.php/about/social-model-vs-medical-model-of-disability/

Goering, S. (2015). Rethinking disability: the social model of disability and chronic disease. Current reviews in musculoskeletal medicine, 8, 134-138. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4596173/

Adaptive Technology in Sports: Balancing Fairness and Accessibility

The problem of the role of adaptive technology in sports is quite controversial and multilateral, pinning the necessity of very attentive consideration of different factors. On one hand, using adaptive technologies can enable differently athletes with disabilities to pursue sports on a much more equal footing and thus open up opportunities for them, paving the way for inclusivity. However, in order to integrate such technology, it raises questions to fair play and the ability for rivals to imitate.

The strong argument to let in adaptive technologies in sports is based on the principle of accessibility and opportunity. Some of the instrumental equipment and auxiliary devices can be formed as the preconditions for the disabled athletes to make the performance. Without access to these technologies, they may be effectively barred from pursuing their athletic dreams or competing at the highest levels. Providing a level playing field through the use of adaptive technologies can help to break down barriers and foster greater diversity and representation in sports.

Furthermore, the adaptive technology makes a further advantage not just for the athlete, but for every involved in various stages of the athlete's life. Development of assistive devices and equipment is likely going to bring in more innovation in technology and likely secure some improvements that will be of benefit to the wider disability community. The Paralympic Games, for example, have been a driving force behind the development of cutting-edge prosthetics, wheelchairs, and other assistive technologies that have had a lasting impact on the lives of people with disabilities.

However, developments in adaptive technologies in sports have triggered issues of fairness and risks relating to advantage creation. This will prove a delicate balance in accommodating such athletes with disabilities to ensure the competition is still one of fairness and equitability to all involved. This then raises the question of the reach of adaptive technologies, regulations, whether they afford an unfair competitive advantage.

One approach that has been posited on how to solve this is the notion of "inclusive" or "universal" design. Re-conceptualization of sports and competition starts right from the drawing board, it must be open and appealing to athletes who have various abilities. This is meant to design an environment in which assistive technologies are not conceived or designed as something separate or specialized, but instead are integrated into the situation. By designing sports and equipment with inclusivity in mind, the need for extensive modifications or specialized accommodations may be reduced, promoting a more level playing field.

Another effect is that of adaptive technologies on athletes from third world countries or communities that are less privileged and can hardly get the cost for their access. Certainly, this raises issues of fairness and equity, since it is quite likely that access to the highly expensive adaptive devices is a very critical factor in a high-level athlete's ability to compete. Addressing this issue may require a collaborative effort between governing bodies, equipment manufacturers, and philanthropic organizations to ensure that adaptive technologies are available and accessible to all athletes, regardless of their socioeconomic status.

References

Duvall, J., Satpute, S., Cooper, R., & Cooper, R. A. (2021). A review of adaptive sport opportunities for power wheelchair users. Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology, 16(4), 407-413. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10091906/

El-Shaboury, Y. (2022). Here's What Adaptive Athletes Think About the Future Of Adaptive Sport. Retrieved from Global Sport Matters: https://globalsportmatters.com/research/2022/09/21/what-adaptive-athletes-think-future-sports/

Hershkovitz, M. (2024). Adaptive Sports and Fitness for Disabled Individuals: A Pathway to Inclusivity and Well-being. Retrieved from Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/adaptive-sports-fitness-disabled-individuals-pathway-mike-hershkovitz-9zbge#:~:text=Promoting%20Inclusivity%20and%20Awareness,barrier%20to%20achieving%20athletic%20excellence.

SportsVenue. (2024). What Innovations are Transforming Disability Access in Sports? Retrieved from Sports Venue: https://www.sportsvenue-technology.com/articles/what-innovations-are-transforming-disability-access-in-sports

Improving Media Representation of the Paralympics and Disability

The Paralympics host some of the most inspiring athletic events on Earth and display the amazing capabilities and sheer determination of differently-abled athletes. Yet, most often, the Paralympics and other differently-abled sports do get much lower attention and media coverage than their regular-abled counterparts do. Above and beyond, this lack of representation has perpetuated, in turn, harmful stereotypes with regard to disability and has kept the inclusion of great public understanding at bay.

To improve media coverage and portrayal of the Paralympics and disabled athletes, there are several key steps that can be taken:

1. To shift from an "overcoming disability" narrative into a narrative that celebrates athletic excellence, i.e., the "supercrip" narrative, framing disability as a problem of a particular individual that needs to be "overcome" by super effort. This narrative devalues the athletic achievements of disabled athletes and suggests that their success is remarkable simply because of their disability, rather than their talent, training, and competitive drive. Instead, media coverage should primarily focus on the athletes' skills, accomplishments, and competitive experiences, just as it would for able-bodied athletes.
2. Increase visibility to all forms of representation available across all media. The representation of the Paralympics on the television screens has improved but is still a drop in the ocean compared to the representation gap in all other mainstream media, ranging from news, social, and advertisement media. The normalization of disability and exposure of the wide range of athletes with disabilities and their stories to the public might even pave the way for visibility across such platforms. Media outlets should make a concerted effort to feature Paralympians and disabled athletes in their regular coverage, not just during the Paralympic Games.
3. Highlight the diversity of the Paralympic athlete community. The current media exposure often focuses on a couple of Paralympians, those with less physically visible disabilities and/or those who are using the most high-tech adaptive device. That gives only an incomplete picture and does not tell about the diversity of the Paralympic community in which various kinds of disabilities are represented: intellectual, visual, arm-and-leg, etc.. Media should actively seek out and amplify the stories of Paralympic athletes across the disability spectrum.
4. Consult with and elevate the voices of the disability community. Too often, media coverage of disability is produced without meaningful input from disabled people themselves. To improve representation, media outlets should collaborate with disability advocates, athletes, and organizations to ensure accurate, authentic, and empowering portrayals. Disabled voices should be centered in the production, writing, and editing processes.
5. Expand coverage beyond just the Paralympic Games. While the Paralympic Games provide an important platform, media coverage should extend beyond just this major event. Increased reporting on disabled athletes, adaptive sports, and disability-focused athletic competitions throughout the year can help sustain public interest and awareness.

If such changes are to be brought in, it would not only improve the media representation of the Paralympics and disabled athletes but would also shape an enhanced consciousness of society towards disability. If the media begins to portray most disabled athletes as something more than, or different from, superhuman inspirations or passive victims, rather than as skilled, hard-working competitors, it may go a small way toward breaking down stereotypes and prejudices.

References

Brevig, S. (2023). The Case for Authentic Disability Representation in Media and Why Our Society Desperately Needs It. Retrieved from Center For Scholars and Strotytellers: https://www.scholarsandstorytellers.com/blog/diversity-in-hollywood-the-case-for-authentic-disability-representation-in-film-and-tv

HandinHand. (n.d.). Problematic Representation of People with Disabilities in the Media. Retrieved from Hand in Hand: https://www.handinhandqc.org/blog/problematic-representation-of-people-with-disabilities-in-the-media

Lighthouse, T. C. (2024). Media and People With Disabilities: Are We Represented Accurately? Retrieved from The Chicago Lighthouse: https://chicagolighthouse.org/sandys-view/media-and-people-with-disabilities/

Pearson, E., & Misener, L. (2021). Paralympians still don’t get the kind of media attention they deserve as elite athletes. Retrieved from The Conversation: https://theconversation.com/paralympians-still-dont-get-the-kind-of-media-attention-they-deserve-as-elite-athletes-166879

REEDY, J. (2021). Paralympic coverage airs on NBC for the first time on Sunday. Retrieved from AP: https://apnews.com/article/paralympic-games-entertainment-sports-tv-arts-and-entertainment-9a48505e622f3bf9a0f0c9b4be11c0e9

History of Disabled Sports

Before reading this week's content, I really had little idea of what stood behind the term "Paralympic." I did know that it related to the Paralympic Games, one of those international competitions for athletes with disabilities affecting movement. However, I wasn't fully aware of the historical origins and deeper significance of the "para" prefix. Having learned a little more about this history and evolution of disability sports, the concept of "parallel games" will be much more appreciable to me. In fact, not parallel but, till now, I had thought it as meant for parallel. Rather, it refers to the Greek preposition "para," meaning "beside" or "alongside."

The Paralympics was never meant to run parallel or separately from the Olympics but just to be an event that runs with the Olympics. It was from such rehabilitation efforts in the treatment of the injured soldiers from the Second World War, carried out by visionaries such as Dr. Ludwig Guttmann, that the Paralympic Movement was born. Guttmann saw sport as a means of returning hope, purpose, and community to the individual who has sustained a spinal cord injury or another sort of physical disability. What had at first been a really, really locally small contest in a very specific place at Stoke Mandeville Hospital now sort of gradually emerged into something international.  The "Stoke Mandeville Games" eventually evolved into the modern Paralympic Games, which now feature over 4,000 elite athletes competing across 20 different sports. Far from being a "parallel" event, the Paralympics have become an integral part of the global sporting landscape, celebrated alongside the Olympic Games.

The history of the Paralympic movement speaks to what powerful a tool sport can be in the service of causes of inclusion, empowerment, and changes of social attitude towards disability. The Paralympics challenge perceptual stereotypes: The outstanding athletic feats of Para-athletes demonstrate to the world that disability does not necessarily imply a disability in order to take part in and gain fulfillment from physical activity. Running "parallel" to the Olympics, the Paralympic Games run with the same vigor towards the Olympic spirit of excellence in sports, sportsmanship, and universal accessibility to the sport. The "para" prefix embodies the Paralympic movement's core mission of existing in solidarity and complementarity with the Olympics, rather than as a separate or lesser event.

Through my studies, I've gained a deeper appreciation for the nuanced meaning behind the Paralympic name and brand. It represents a vision of creating a more inclusive, equitable, and barrier-free world of sport, one where athletes of all abilities can compete, thrive, and inspire others. The "para" in Paralympic is a powerful reminder that disability sports are not peripheral, but central to the ongoing quest for true universality in the world of athletics.

References

Darcy, S. (2016). Brief history of the Paralympic Games: From post-WWII rehabilitation to mega sport event. Retrieved from NEWS: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-09-07/brief-history-of-the-paralympic-games/7819772

Disability Sport. (2014). A Brief History of Disability Sports. Retrieved from https://www.disabilitysport.org.uk/a-brief-history-of-disability-sports.html

Frankel, H. L. (2012). The Sir Ludwig Guttmann lecture 2012: the contribution of Stoke Mandeville Hospital to spinal cord injuries. Spinal cord, 50(11), 790-796. https://www.nature.com/articles/sc2012109

Historic England. (2024). Disability and Sport: The Birth of the Paralympics - from Rehabilitation to World Class Performance. Retrieved from https://historicengland.org.uk/research/inclusive-heritage/disability-history/1945-to-the-present-day/disability-and-sport/

IPC. (n.d.). PARALYMPICS HISTORY. Retrieved from International Paralympic Committee: https://www.paralympic.org/ipc/history