ABSTRACT
The leading body of disability sport is the counterpart to the International Olympic Committee in matters of disability sport. It organises a quadrennial event that has grown sufficiently in size and stature that it is no longer considered a mere appendage to the Olympic Games. The medical model understands a disability as a physical or mental impairment of the individual and the personal and social consequences that go with it, for example, a defect in the visual system that leads to blindness, a defect in the auditory system that leads to deafness, or a stroke that may lead to speech or movement defects. The International Classification of Functioning model has the advantage of being able to offer a guide for the measurement of functional limitations, and is currently the most widely used model for disability. The chapter presents two main considerations enter into the International Paralympic Classification: considerations of inclusivity, and considerations of fairness or ensuring a level playing field.
