The 3rd December marks International Day of People with a Disability (IDPwD), which is a United Nations observed day, celebrated internationally. The theme for 2022’s IDPwD is ‘Transformative solutions for inclusive development: the role of innovation in fuelling an accessible and equitable world’. This theme aims to promote an understanding of disabilities in reducing inequality, and promoting inclusive development between people living with a disability and the wider community.
Swimming NSW recognises the many members of our community including athletes, parents, technical officials and coaches who live with disabilities. As an organisation, we aim to promote equal opportunity for everyone involved in our sport.
In addition to having both Multi-Class and able-bodied events fully integrated into the majority of our championships, we proudly host a series of Multi-Class meets throughout the year, which culminates at our Multi-Class Championships, to provide additional racing and classification opportunities for swimmers with a disability.
Earlier in 2022, in an historic landmark for Multi-Class swimming in NSW, athletes with Down syndrome and high functioning autism were able to compete at the NSW Multi-Class Meet #3 under new classifications introduced by Swimming Australia S18 – Significant Other Impairment, and S19 – High Functioning Autism.
Swimmers from varying backgrounds and abilities have always been welcome at Swimming NSW Multi-Class meets, however the introduction of these new classifications was significant: a notable development in the Multi-Class pathway for athletes with an intellectual impairment, with many doors now open for meaningful advancement along the competitive pathway, from club night to Australian Age Championships.
More recently, Swimming NSW has been working with Special Olympics Australia to encourage clubs to affiliate with both organisations to open up new pathways for both organisations' members, and to allow clubs access to Special Olympics' benefits and resources. This initiative and has been lead by Swimming Australia, who has made $10,000 of funding available to assist clubs with costs incurred.
For more information on swimming with a disability, the classification system, or if you'd like to find a MC meet to attend, you can visit our Swimming with a Disability page, or contact Greta Brodie (greta.brodie@nsw.swimming.org.au)
