
Big Sky. Big Dreams. Big Success!
Welcome to the new Montana Swimming disability/adapted swimming page. The Montana Swimming adapted/disability swimming chair position is currently vacant.
USA Swimming encourages people with disabilities to participate in the sport of swimming and facilitates their inclusion in USA Swimming programs through education and collaboration.
U.S. Paralympics Swimming event website:
The web site listed below contains information for swim meets hosted by U.S. Paralympics Swimming for athletes with an impairment.
http://www.teamusa.org/US-Paralympics/Sports/Swimming.aspx
This site is updated regularly with dates for competitions, as well as coaches clinics for athletes with impairments.
2018 USA Swimming Disability Coaches Workshop Information Flyer
This workshop will be held February 2-3, 2018 in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
AQUATICS FOR CHILDREN WITH CHALLENGES!
Interested in education to support children with special needs in your programs? The Aquatics for Children With Challenges online course and Children With Challenges Workshop are targeted to Aquatics Management personnel and Swim Coaches, providing ground-breaking training and information to help you and your staff achieve your program goals. For more information on Children With Challenges course options, or to register, for step one (Children With Challenges online course), click here!
ASCA Certified Coaches: Receive 15 ASCA Credits.
Disability Resources and Articles:
Including Swimmers with Disabilities: Guide for LSC's PDF
Including Swimmers with Disabilities: A Guide for Swimmers and Parents PDF
Including Swimmers with Disabilities: A Guide for Coaches PDF
Pocket Guide to Officiating Swimmers with a Disability (Rule 501) PDF
Including Swimmers with Disabilities: A Guide for Officials PDF
Including Swimmers with Disabilities: Hints for Starters Starting Disabled Swimmers PDF
Including Swimmers with Disabilities: Officials Get Involved PDF
Officiating for Disability Athletes PDF
Including Swimmers with Disabilities: Guide for Meet Directors and Safety Personnel PDF
Safe Sport Best Practices for Coaching Athletes with Disabilities PDF
Safety/Rick Management and Including Swimmers with Disabilities PDF
A Blind Swimmer's Guide to Tapping PDF
Personal Assistants for a Swimmer with a Disability PDF
Article 105 Case Studies: Including Disabled Swimmers in Meets PDF
Model Inclusion Policy for Swimmers with a Disability PDF
ADA - It's Impact on Youth Sports PDF
ADHD 101 - Tips and Strategies for Coaches PDF
Waiver for a Coach with a Disability PDF
Americans With Disabilities Swimming Pool Guidelines March 2012 PDF
Training and Competition Articles:
Competition Opportunities for Disabled Swimmers PDF
SWAD Progression Outline for Swimmers PDF
Training and Conditioning for Swimmers with Disabilities PDF
Stroke Mechanics for Swimmers with Permanent Disabilities PDF
Performance Capabilities of Swimmers with Disabilities PDF
Moving to the Next Level: Swimming Instruction for Swimmers with Disabilities PDF
Web Resources:
USA Swimming -- disability swimming webpage
2016 Rio Paralympics - September 7-18 websitewebpage
Americans With Disabilities website
Coaching Communication with Deaf Athletes website
Accessibility Instruments Measuring Fitness and Recreation Environments (AIM FREE) Manuals
Disability Sport Organizations
The following organizations offer disability-specific swimming competitions. In some cases, the organizations also offer athlete development programs such as clubs/swimming practices, camps, and clinics. The international organizations conduct quadrennial multi-sports competitions analogous to the Olympic Games: (a) the International Parlympic Committee conducts Paralympic Games in the same years as Olympic Games; (b) CISS conducts the Deaflympics in the years following the Olympic Games; and (c) Special Olympics International conducts the World Special Olympics Games in the years preceding the Olympic Games.
International Governing Bodies
USA Governing Bodies
USA Disability Sport Organizations
International Sport Organizations
Disability Swimming Information
U.S. Paralympics Swimming provides an avenue for athletes with disabilities to compete against athletes with similar impairments. U.S. Paralympics Swimming is a supplement to USA Swimming not a substitute for it. Swimmers will benefit from all USA Swimming and their local club has to offer including being a part of a team, regular local competitions, motivational standards and championship meets. U.S. Paralympics Swimming provides additional avenues to compete both nationally and internationally as well as clinics, camps, national team membership and support services, just like elite able-bodied swimmers.
In order to compete in a para-swim meet, an athlete needs to undergo classification. The classification process determines sport classes for the athlete which in turn provides a more level playing field in competition. There are 14 classes: 10 for physical impairments, 3 for athletes with visual impairments and 1 for cognitive impairments. Classification is most often conducted in conjunction with a U.S. Paralympics Swimming competition providing swimmers the opportunity to receive their sport class, experience classified competition and become acquainted with other athletes and coaches involved in the sport all in the same weekend.
The following link will assist you as you begin to explore para-swimming
If you have questions, please feel free to contact either Jamie.Martin or Queenie.Nichols
USA Swimming Disability contacts are:
Randy Julian, USA Swimming Staff Liaison for the Disability Swimming Committee
Mark Rieniets, Committee Chair
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