Athletes with High Support Needs Committee

Athletes with High Support Needs require supplemental specialized services to participate in a competition environment on the field of play or in daily living.

Established to ensure the Paralympic Movement has the systems and provisions in place to consistently identify and appropriately address the requirements of athletes, coaches, technical officials and leaders with high support needs.

Membership: The Committee shall normally be comprised of six members including the Chairperson and five members at large. The Committee meets at least once a year.

Function: Athletes with High Support Needs require supplemental specialized services to participate in a competition environment on the field of play or in daily living.

Main Goals:

To define and ensure the implementation of the definition of “high support needs” with sports, relevant standing Committees and NPCs.

To ensure considerations for athletes with high support needs are included in the planning of key IPC processes, policies and programmers.

To raise awareness about existing opportunities within the Paralympic Movement and share exemplary practices among NPCs to encourage development.

Status: Established in 2000 as a Commission and changed to a Standing Committee in November 2004. In August 2007, the name was changed from ‘Athletes with a Severe Disability’ to ‘Athletes with High Support Needs’ Committee.

Contact Person: Israel Villalpando, Development Manager, Israel.Villalpando@paralympic.org