Apply for Eligibility

Welcome – we’re so glad you found us!
Athletes Without Limits (the USA Member of Virtus) is here to help you navigate eligibility and opportunities so you can reach your highest level in your Sport!

3 Steps to Apply:

(Note: Project Inspire Soccer Players should apply through our Soccer Page
rather than using the general application below.)

  1. Download Eligibility Application & Instructions PDF and gather items needed for evidence using the table on page 2 of the application.
    DOWNLOAD PDF APPLICATION
  2. Use our hipaa-friendly PDF Application Submission Form to get us your Signed PDF, Headshot, ID and Supporting Reports.
    SUBMIT YOUR COMPLETED PDF APPLICATION SUBMIT ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

  3. Athletes Without Limits US Eligibility Psychologist will review your application to make sure it has everything needed — we’ll email you an update and an invoice to pay the one-time application fee of $175 (or $75 for provisional National eligibility for some events). Our initial review takes @2-4 weeks depending on the information provided and the total number of applications we are managing. Applications sent to Virtus for International confirmation take an additional 4-12 weeks.

 We look forward to working with you!

Eligibility FAQ:

  • Who is this application for?

    This application form is for US athletes with Intellectual Impairments seeking eligibility confirmation from Virtus International, which is needed for Virtus, Paralympic or other events such as:

    1. Athletes Without Limits & Virtus Events
      These are high-performance events where athletes with Intellectual & Disability, Down syndrome and Autism (including our unique competition group for High Functioning Autism) compete in three competition groups (Virtus II1, Virtus II2 and Virtus II3)
    2. Paralympic Classification for Intellectual Impairment
    3. Athletes who meet the three criteria for Virtus II-1 Intellectual Disability (IQ 75 or lower and significant limitations in at least one domain area on an Adaptive Behavior assessment) are also able to pursue Paralympic Classification in select sports including for US Para Swimming, US Para Track & Field, USATT Table Tennis, Boston Marathon or other events requiring Paralympic Classification like Move United, State High School Swim Meets, etc.
    4. Golfers seeking a WR4GD World Player Pass
      Virtus Eligibility is required to get your EDGA World Player pass which is needed for major Championships including the U.S. Adaptive Open
    5. USRowing & World Rowing (PR-3 II Intellectual Impairments)
    6. US Para Karate (Intellectual Disability & Down Syndrome)
    7. World Taekwondo
    8. Other Events if they say Virtus eligibility or Paralympic Classification is required.
    9. Welcome Project Inspire Soccer Teams – apply online through our Soccer Page!)
  • Review Timeline

    Once you submit your application our National Eligibility Psychologist will review everything and we’ll email you (typically within 2-4 weeks) to let you know if your application has enough information for provisional National Eligibility, and if any additional or new assessments are  needed to send to the Virtus Eligibility Committee for their confirmation. Virtus confirmation timelines vary depending on the application itself and the total number of applications in their queue — they note up to 12 weeks though we typically hear back in 4-8 weeks.

    Once we hear back from Virtus we’ll send you an email and will post the athletes name to our National Eligibility List.
    • If you are in a sport with Paralympic opportunities we will let the USOPC know you can be added to their National Paralympic Classification Database. (Swimming S14, Track & Field T20/F20 or Table Tennis Class 11).
    • If you are seeking a WR4GD Pass for Golf we’ll also email EDGA once your eligibility is confirmed to let them know they can issue your pass.

  • New E-Sign AAI Clearance Form for Athletes with Down Syndrome

    Our AAI Clearance Page now offers both a PDF version or an Online E-Sign hipaa-friendly form you can send your Doctor:  https://www.athleteswithoutlimits.org/eligibility/aai-physician-form

  • Guidelines for Psychologists Giving New Assessments

    It’s possible some athletes may need to schedule new IQ and/or Adaptive Behavior Assessment with their local Psychologist in order to meet full Virtus or Paralympic Eligibility documentation requirements — you can give them a copy of our Detailed Virtus II1 Guidelines & Report Template for Psychologists.

  • Questions

    We’ve tried to provide explanatory information throughout the application but if you have any trouble, please use our Contact Us form to reach out.