As USA Archery works to continue to provide accessible competition opportunities for archers with adaptive needs, we have recently created a formal policy on the use of wheelchairs and stools for our sanctioned tournaments.
This policy has been created to eliminate the burden of athletes feeling like they need a Para classification to participate in USA Archery events. We welcome all athletes to compete, and have outlined specific instructions to help athletes coordinate with event organizers to ensure their needs are met.
USA Archery does not follow World Archery rules when it comes to archers utilizing a wheelchair or stool when competing in an able-body division. There is no need to have a Para classification to shoot from a wheelchair, knee scooter, stool etc., due to injury or disability while competing in an able body division at a USA Archery sanctioned event. However, archers who wish to compete in a Para division must have a Para classification and have their classification card/documents with them at events where they are registering/shooting in a Para division.
For archers looking to obtain a 2017 Para classification, there will be a classification session in Salt Lake City, Utah on July 13th. Medical forms, found here, must be submitted to National Para Head Coach Randi Smith by June 1, 2017.
Please carefully review the complete wheelchair and stool event policy here. If you have any questions, contact events@usarchery.org. For additional support and information on adaptive archery needs, you can view the FREE Adaptive Archery Manual created by USA Archery and Disabled Sports USA.
Yours in Archery,
Cindy Bevilacqua
President of Middletown Archery