For swimmers with a disability in the early stages of development, classification is not relevant. However, as swimmers move up the competition ladder, they will need to be classified.

There are two main forms of classification:

Disability Specific Classification system, co-ordinated by the relevant Disability Sports Organisations, allows swimmers of a similar and specific disability to compete against one another. There are individual classification systems for visually impaired, hearing impaired and learning impaired swimmers.

Classification groups S1-S15 are for those swimmers with a functional, visual, learning or hearing impairment.

• S1 - S10 are allocated to swimmers with a functional (physical) impairment ranging from more severe (S1) to less severe (S10).
• S11 - S13 are allocated to swimmers with a visual impairment
• S14 - is allocated to swimmers with a learning disability
• S15 - is allocated to swimmers with a hearing impairment

The Functional Classification process, co-ordinated by British Swimming, is the assessment of a swimmer's functional ability. The Functional Classification system is for swimmers with a physical impairment and entails the assessment of a swimmer's functional mobility by IPC Swimming trained classifiers. This type of classification also enables the identification of stroke exceptions applicable to an individual swimmer.

Functional Ability Card

The ASA have introduced the Functional Ability Card to assist swimmers with a disability to take part in inclusive British Swimming/asa/WASA/SASA and Licensed competitions. The card ensures that competitors will not be disqualified if their disability classification exempts them from performing a stroke to ASA Technical Law.

FAC's act as identification and proof of classification and rule exceptions. They must be submitted to the Race Referee prior to the start of a race for times to be recognised for
records, rankings and programme consideration.

To obtain a FAC, swimmers need to be a registered ASA / SASA / WASA member over the age of nine and have an IPC or British Swimming classification.

Avoiding disqualification - Certificate of Permanent Disability

For swimmers who:

• have not yet been classified
• do not wish to undergo classification
• do not fit the Functional Classification System

the ASA have introduced the Certificate of Permanent Disability to help swimmers with disabilities compete against able bodied competitors in inclusive competitions.

The certificate is issued to ensure that swimmers with impairment do not get disqualified for performing a stroke incorrectly, if their impairment affects how they do the stroke, or perhaps how they touch the wall at the turn or at the end of a race.

The Certificate, which describes the impairment, can be presented at a gala and the referee can then take this into account during a competition.

Certification is only given to swimmers who are ASA/SASA/WASA members with a permanent disability, and not to swimmers suffering a short term incapacity. The certificate is valid for 2 years and then needs to be reapplied for.

To obtain a certificate a swimmer can download the application form from our website or from the British Swimming website; www.britishswimming.org. Once completed it needs to be sent to the address stated at the foot of the form, along with a record of the problem and proof of the disability from a physiotherapist, GP or hospital consultant. For help on completing the form, please speak to any of our coaches who will be glad to help.

A laminated certificate will then be issued for presentation to the referee before the start of a race.