Officiating Swimmers with Disabilities Its all about inclusion and creativity

Some practical points Swimmers with disabilities WANT and deserve to swim in our meets Judged by USA Swimming Rules Judge what works, by ability and intent Want to be judged for their swimming abilities, just as able bodied swimmers do 9/23/2012 and 9/29/ ISI Officials Recertification Clinics 2012

Some practical points Coaches should notify Meet Referee of the needs of a disabled swimmer Need for extra time on blocks or getting out of pool Preference for an outside lane, or starting from the deck or in the water Deaf starts and/or portable strobe Tappers Can also be done in meet entries, coaches meeting, or observations during warmups 9/23/2012 and 9/29/ ISI Officials Recertification Clinics 2012

Accommodating swimmers with disabilities All Be sure everyone and everything is ready before whistling heat up on block Prefer not to have to stand heat Best to allow disabled swimmer to exit the pool after the race, rather than waiting for next heat to start Doing this for several heats around the disabled swimmers heat calls less attention 9/23/2012 and 9/29/ ISI Officials Recertification Clinics 2012

Accommodating blind swimmers Blind swimmers Tappers should be provided at each end of the pool Expect that someone might help swimmer onto blocks 9/23/2012 and 9/29/ ISI Officials Recertification Clinics 2012 Lt. Brad Snyder

Accommodating deaf and hard of hearing swimmers Deaf swimmers Move to outside lanes to see starter better Allow coach to do hand signals from other side of the pool or behind the blocks PRACTICE deaf starts in advance Make sure heat is ready before TYM; minimize stands Referees Be in position so you can see starters hand, and coach/nudge if necessary Be aware that how you hand over the heat could be misinterpreted as a starting signal 9/23/2012 and 9/29/ ISI Officials Recertification Clinics 2012 Marcus Titus

Starting deaf swimmers DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING.1 Deaf and hard of hearing swimmers require a visual starting signal, i.e., a strobe light and/or Starters arm signals. The Referee may reassign lanes within the swimmers heat, i.e., exchanging one lane for another, so that the strobe light or Starters arm signal can more readily be seen by the deaf or hard of hearing swimmer. Standard Starters arm signals are shown in Figures 1 and 2. A false start rope is required in the event of a recall, provided the meet host is notified by the entry deadline that a deaf or hard of hearing swimmer will be participating. 9/23/2012 and 9/29/ ISI Officials Recertification Clinics 2012

Forward starts 9/23/2012 and 9/29/ ISI Officials Recertification Clinics 2012

Backward starts 9/23/2012 and 9/29/ ISI Officials Recertification Clinics 2012

Inclusion Include language in your meet packet that swimmers with disabilities are welcome For a time standards meet, waive requirements for some distances Consider special seeding options A disabled swimmer swims a 100 in a 200 event Times moved to correct event A disabled swimmer is entered with a younger age group 9/23/2012 and 9/29/ ISI Officials Recertification Clinics 2012

Special Needs Personal assistants Deck access Communication Equipment Strobes, mats, lifts, step stools Facility Slippery or crowded decks, sharp surfaces Deck accessibility Emergency plans 9/23/2012 and 9/29/ ISI Officials Recertification Clinics 2012

More? Consider getting involved with IPC officiating Contact Marilyn Wieland Keep your eyes and ears open for GLASA meets in the Spring Highly rewarding Makes you a better person – and a better official 9/23/2012 and 9/29/ ISI Officials Recertification Clinics 2012