 |
NDSA
to Host a Clinic on the I.P.E.C. Classification Process for
Riders and Drivers With Physical Disabilities |
Kingston,
RI—February 27, 2003—The National Disability Sports
Alliance (NDSA) will host a clinic to train physical therapists
and physicians to classify riders and drivers with physical disabilities
for competition according to the I.P.E.C. standard.
The
clinic, to be held at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center in Burbank,
CA, May 30 – June 1, 2003, is designed to teach physical
therapists and physicians what the I.P.E.C. system for classifying
athletes is and how to use it effectively. It will include instruction
in the process of classification, and also cover the rules of
I.P.E.C. competition and hands-on workshops overseen by internationally-recognized
classifiers.
In
order to ensure fair competition among riders and drivers with
disabilities, the I.P.E.C. categorizes these athletes into Grades
I-IV according to their abilities, not their riding or driving
skill. Grade I consists of athletes with the most severe disabilities,
while Grade IV is for those with the least.
To
determine in which of the four Grades an equestrian with a disability
should compete, the I.P.E.C. system uses manual muscle tests,
range of motion, and/or coordination testing. Riders and drivers
with visual or cognitive disabilities are also classified, but
the classification is done by select group of professionals specially
trained and better able to evaluate those types of impairments.
Through
clinics such as the one planned for May, the NDSA hopes to develop
a network of qualified professionals who can classify equestrian
athletes with disabilities in order to meet the national demand
of riders and drivers.
The
clinic is open to any physical therapist or physician who wishes
to attend and will be moderated by I.P.E.C. international classifiers
Jim Little, PT, and Joann Benjamin, PT, HPCS. There will be a
cost of $75 per person and the deadline for registration is May
15, 2003.
There
are two more such clinics being planned for this year, one in
the summer and another in the fall. The dates and locations of
those clinics are not yet determined, but will be based on demand
and location of interested participants.
The
I.P.E.C. is the international governing body for equestrian sports
for equestrian athletes with disabilities. It is responsible for
international rules, sanctioning of international competitions,
and for Paralympic Games and World Championships. For more information
about the I.P.E.C., please visit their website at www.ipec-athletes.de
or contact Jonquil Solt by email at jonquil@solt.demon.co.uk.
The
National Disability Sports Alliance is the national governing
body for equestrian sport for equestrian athletes with disabilities.
The non-profit organization is responsible for the development
and selection of riders for national championships and international
competitions, including World Championships and the Paralympic
Games, and provides training, competition and advocacy for riders
of all levels with physical disabilities. For more information
about NDSA and opportunities to support the programs, please visit
our website at www.ndsaequestrian.org
or contact Denise Avolio at (914) 949-8166 or diavolio@ndsaonline.org.
To
register for the classification clinic, please contact Nora Grassmyer
at (530) 295-0997 or ngrassmyer@aol.com.
All other inquiries regarding the course should be directed to
Joann Benjamin at (818) 907-0971 or joannbenjamin@vdn.com.
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