1. Do athletes with Autism, Aspergers, Down Syndrome, CP meet the INAS-FID eligibility criteria?

The INAS-FID definition of intellectual disability is based on 3 criteria regardless of the disorder or cause of the intellectual disability:  1) IQ at or below 75, 2) significant limitations in Adaptive Behavior shown through testing, and 3) age of onset prior to 18). This means it is possible that some athletes with Autism, Aspergers, Down Syndrome, CP will be eligible, while others may score too high on an IQ and/or Adaptive Behavior test to be considered eligible for INAS-FID competition. It is important to note that just because an athlete does not meet INAS-FID eligibility criteria, that does not necessarily mean he/she will not be eligible for other programs for persons with disability.

2. How is INAS-FID competition different from Special Olympics?

(From the INAS-FID website) “INAS-FID believes that persons with intellectual disability have the right to participate in the sport of their choice at the level of ability they desire and achieve. This may be in banded competition as organised by Special Olympics or in open competition as promoted by INAS-FID.

Banded competition is competition between athletes of approximately similar disability. Thus for instance there could be a hundred metres event for four different levels of ability and there would then be four gold medal winners. The level of ability (in which band should an athlete be placed) is identified through pre-competitions prior to the main games.”

Open competition is competition as at the Olympics. INAS-FID’s choice for open competition is based on the principle of normalization. Participation in INAS-FID competitions is based on an athlete’s performances, as in able bodied sport. INAS-FID is a member of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC). INAS-FID competitions are run on the strict rules of the International Federations (for athletics IAAF, for basketball FIBA, etcetera).”

“Although the philosophies and structures of Special Olympics and INAS-FID differ, they both play an important role in sport for persons with intellectual disability. Both organisations are not competitive but complementary to each other. Many national member organisations in membership of INAS-FID offer in their respective countries both the programmes of Special Olympics and INAS-FID, depending the wishes and abilities of their athletes.”

3. Can/should athletes compete in both INAS-FID and Special Olympic events?

Athletes who join Athletes Without Limits in order to represent the USA at INAS-FID competitions generally have competed very successfully in Special Olympics in their chosen sports and are ready for the additional challenges offered by INAS-FID “open” competition (See 1. Above).

Athletes Without Limits encourages these athletes to train with mainstream teams (e.g.: US Masters Swim Team) and compete in mainstream events (e.g.: USA Cycling Road Races) in their chosen sport in order to 1) prepare for the ‘open competition” format at INAS-FID events, 2) be competitive at an international level, and 3) help advance our mission of inclusion of athletes with intellectual disability into mainstream sport.

Some Athletes Without Limits members continue to compete in Special Olympics for social and recreational purposes and/or in sports not currently offered in INAS-FID competition including: Badminton, Bocce, Bowling, Figure Skating, Floor Hockey, Floorball, Golf, Gymnastics, Kayaking, Netball, Play Activities, Powerlifting, Roller Skating, Sailing, Snowboarding, Snowshoeing, Softball, Speed Skating, Team Handball, Unified Sports and Volleyball.