Intellectual disability sport and un convention on rights of persons with disabilities: realia and potential

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Dr. Hab., Professor, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Education S.P. Evseev1, 2, 3
Dr. Hab., Professor O.E. Evseeva1
PhD A.A. Shelekhov1
PhD, Associate Professor A.V. Aksenov1
1Lesgaft National State University of Physical Education, Sport and Health, St. Petersburg
2Russian Sports Federation of Intellectually Disabled, Moscow
3Russian Paralympic Committee, Moscow

Objective of the study was to define the specifics of traditional and non-traditional competition organization models for Olympians, Paralympians, and Deaflympians.
Methods and structure of the study. The article presents the fundamental differences between the Paralympic and Special Olympic Movements, as well as the organizational structure of intellectual disability sport in the Russian Federation, its current state and development trends. One of them, a very authoritative organization in the world community, is Special Olympics Inc. (SOI), which is based on the private Kennedy Family Foundation and implements a non-traditional competition organization model.
The second largest but equally distinguished international sports organization – World Intellectual Impairment Sport (VIRTUS) – implements a well-known traditional competition organization model used during the Olympic, Paralympic, and Deaflympic Games.
Results and conclusions. There are two strategic directions of development of intellectual disability sport in the Russian Federation:
1. To increase the number of functional training classes for persons with intellectual disabilities trained under paralympic programs, adding to the existing class (ID-1) persons with particular syndromes (Down’s syndrome and others) (ID-2) and persons with the autism spectrum disorder (ASD) (ID-3).
2. To further develop synergies and coordinate intellectual disability sport as part of the Paralympic and Special Olympic Movements, which includes running joint competitions, training of referees, region’s officials, and other matters.

Keywords: intellectual disability sport, UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, competition organization models, functional training classes.

References

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