Classification

To ensure that all athletes with a diagnosed disability are able compete under fair conditions and have the opportunity to experience success, they undergo a process called classification. This allows athletes to compete against other athletes with a similar level of disability as themselves. For athletes with vision impairment this involves a number of tests to check visual acuity and visual field. From this there are a number of classifications that can be given to an athlete which are generally discussed as B1, B2, B3 and B4 classfication (these are expanded below).

Below the information will refer to metric acuity tests. Historically people are often used to hearing the terms 20/20 vision, this refers to 20 feet / 20 feet, as Australia uses the metric system we refer to 6/6 vision 6 meters / 6 meters. When given an acuity of 6/60 vision it is describing that the athlete can see at 6 meters what someone with 6/6 vision can see at 60 meters. Below are some images which demonstrate a representation of the progression between 6/6 vision to 6/24 and finally 6/60.

B4 classification is rarely used in competitive para-sports and is most commonly used in blind tennis. Whilst this is not ideal, as many athletes do not fall into the B3 classification and their vision is too low to compete at a high level in mainstream, being able to compete in a sport like tennis is a fantastic opportunity.

To gain a B4 classification the athlete must have a visual acuity ranging from LogMAR 0.5 to 0.9 (inclusive) or 6/19 to 6/48 OR visual fields less than 40 degrees diameter and visual acuity better than 0.5 or 6/19 in the athlete's best eye.

Before attending your classification appointment you will need to forward any relevant medical information from your ophthalmologist and eye specialists to the classifier. This will allow the classifier to ensure access to the correct equipment for your classification.

Ensure you understand the above classifications and that you have discussed if you fit into one of these classifications with your ophthalmologist, optometrist or vision experts. Remember, classifications are based on the vision of the best eye, as our brains compensate and binocular acuity (clarity of vision with both eyes open) is generally the same as the vision from the best eye.

It is also important to consider what sports you wish to be classified for. Some sports, blind tennis for example, have a different classification process to other sports as defined by their governing body. Ensure you let the classifiers know the sports you are intending to be classified for, when in doubt ask to be classified for all sports. Being classified does not mean you have to take part in a sport, however, not being classified means you can't compete at a high level in the sport.

The rules stated by the Paralympic Committee are that athletes must seek classification from a medical professional (ophthalmologist or optometrist) trained as a sports classifier. To find your closest classifier please contact your national or international sporting body. In Australia this is Blind Sports Australia or the Australian Paralympic Committee.

As the SA School for Vision Impaired is based in South Australia, the local recognised classifiers are the Royal Society for the Blind (RSB) in the Adelaide CBD and Health2Go at Flinders University.

The contact information for these South Australian classifiers are:

Royal Society for the Blind - Adelaide CBD

Address: 230 Pirie Street, Adelaide, South Australia, 5000

Phone Number: 1300 944 306

Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 08:30-17:00

Health2Go - Flinders University

Address: 13 Sturt Drive, Bedford Park, South Australia, 5042

Phone Number: (08) 72218700

Email: health2go@flinders.edu.au

Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 08:30-17:00

As part of the classification process the classifier will ask which sports you would like to be classified for, this does not mean that you need to be involved in this sport, but it will mean that the classifier will forward your classification on to each sport's governing body so you are entered onto a master list. This master list does not include your personal information, but means that you are qualified to compete in national or international events or tournaments. You may wish to follow up with the classifier or sporting organisation to ensure that this has happened.

For more information please visit the Australian Paralympic Committee's website of classification in the link below or contact your advisory teacher or Andrew Whisson (PE Teacher at the SA School for Vision Impaired).