This page explains how swimmers with impairment can avoid being disqualified in galas when competing against able bodied competitors, if their impairment affects how they do the stroke, or perhaps how they touch the wall at the turn or at the end of a race.

To avoid this, the ASA have devised a method whereby the swimmer will be provided with a card which can be presented at a gala to confirm they have a permanent impairment and it will describe what that impairment is. The referee can then take this into account during a race and the swimmer will not then suffer disqualification because of their disability.

The certificate is issued to ensure that disabled competitors do not get disqualified for performing a stroke incorrectly due to their disability and who;

Certification is only be given to swimmers who are ASA/SASA/WASA members with a permanent disability and not to swimmers suffering a short term incapacity.

The certificate is valid for 2 years and will need to be reapplied for.

To obtain a certificate a swimmer should download the application form which is on our website. It can also be obtained from the British Swimming website ; www.britishswimming.org . Once completed it needs to be sent to the address stated at the foot of the form, along with a record of the problem and proof of the disability from a physiotherapist, GP or hospital consultant.

A laminated certificate will then be issued for presentation to the referee before the start of a race.

Please note: No disability record can be claimed when using this certificate for exemption from complying with the laws of the stroke being performed.

ASA Disability Discrimination Request Form .pdf 92kb

Functional Ability Cards The ASA also provide Functional Ability Cards. These are designed to assist competitive swimmers with a disability to access British Swimming/ the ASA/WASA/SASA and Licensed competitions. Like the Certificate above it means competitors can be safe in the knowledge that they will not be disqualifies if their disability precludes them from performing a stroke to the relevant parts of the FINA swimming rules. Further detail can be found at : www.britishswimming.org

Source: ASA Handbook 2009