Draft #4

The Ontario Gymnastic Federation’s Special Needs Policy

I) Introduction:

According to the Ontario Human Rights Code:

a) Individuals with disabilities cannot be denied services based on their special needs.

"It is a discriminatory practice in the provision of goods, services, facilities or accommodation customarily available to the general public (a) to deny, or to deny access to, any such good, service, facility or accommodation to any individual, or (b) to differentiate adversely in relation to any individual, ...on a prohibited ground of discrimination."

b) The Ontario Gymnastic Federation has developed policies and guidelines for its member Clubs in order to maximize the safety of all its members. Clubs do have the right and responsibility to decide the types of safe and affordable programs that can be suitably provided to accommodate individuals with special needs.

II) DEFINITION OF SPECIAL NEEDS:

Individuals who are mentally or physically challenged, or who have medical condition(s) that might require modifications to a gymnastic program to suit their needs, (e.g.: visual impairment, cerebral palsy, polio, downs syndrome, hearing impairment, autism, spina bifida, etc…) or, who have any medical, mental or physical condition(s) that, for safety reasons, the Host Club and coach should be made aware of. (e.g.: hydrocephalus requiring a shunt, downs syndrome, predisposition to seizures, prosthesis, etc…).

III) NOTIYING THE OGF:

1) Any OGF Club having individuals with Special Needs participating in their programs and who will be integrating/mainstreaming the individual, or providing custom designed programs for the individual, must notify The OGF, via application, of their intent to offer any programs, prior to the start of the program. Before programming may begin, Clubs must adhere to all OGF Special Needs policies. Failure to comply may negate the Host Club’s insurance coverage and/or their good standing within the Federation.
  1. The parent or caregiver of all OGF participants including those with Special Needs or conditions, must complete and submit one copy to the host club, the Participant Consent and Medical Information Form (Form A) prior to the individual participating in any regular (integrated) or special program.

IV) PERSONNEL:

  1. Where a Participant Consent and Medical Information Form discloses the presence of a medical condition that may affect the individual’s participation in any program activities, the Club will then assess the individual.

The Technical Advisor(s), and Head Coach from each Club, will assess an individual who has been identified as a special needs candidate and will assigned them to one of the following program groups:

Group 1:

fully integrated/mainstreamed

Group 2:

integrated/mainstreamed with an assistant

assistant can be provided by participant’s parent/caregiver who must be registered with The OGF. Or assistant can be provided by the Host Club (at the Host Clubs expense) and who must be registered with The O.G.F.

Group 3:

recommended to a modified program that best suits his/her ability level/needs

program to be delivered by the Club using professional assistants with expertise in the areas of need of each individual. Assistants can be provided by either the participant or the club and at the club’s discretion expenses for the assistant to be covered by either the participant or the club, if the program is scheduled for an organized group(s), a certificate naming The OGF as additional insured including a Cross Liability Clause, is required

Group 4:

Individual not recommended for some or all gymnastic disciplines based on medical and safety reasons

2) The Club must keep on file, all Participant Consent and Medical Information Forms (Form A) and, where required all completed Technical Advisors’ recommendations. This form MUST be completed for all competitive and interclub athletes and each club will be responsible for forwarding 1 copy of Form A to The O.G.F. upon registration of the individual. For recreation level participants only, clubs may elect to use The O.G.F. Participant Consent and Medical Information Form (Form A) in its current format or the club may elect to incorporate the contents of the Participant Consent and Medical Information Form (Form A) into their own individual club registration forms. It is imperative that ALL information requested in Form A be collected and filed by the club. The OGF may, at any time, request this information from the Club. In the event of an accident, the Participant Consent and Medical Information Form (Form A) or the clubs Incident Report Form to The OGF. individual recreation consent and medical form must accompany the Accident

 

3) The Club must have the following PERSONNEL in place prior to a individual with Special Needs participating in a program (one person may hold more than one position):

SPECIAL NEEDS CLUB CONTACT

 

Person to liase with The OGF and represent club members with Special Needs

Reports directly to the Club’s Board of Directors

Responsible for ensuring compliance by the club of all OGF Special Needs policies

Ensures all required paperwork is completed and submitted to The OGF prior to the commencement of any special needs programs.

Ensures that all professional assistants representing outside organizations provide a certificate naming The OGF as additional insured

Ensures that all assistants provided by the participant or by the host club, and who are accompanying the individual, are registered with OGF

SPECIAL NEEDS TECHNICAL ADVISOR(s)

The Special Needs Technical Advisor shall be a: Physician, Physical Therapist, Occupational Therapist or any person qualified to conduct Functional Assessments

The Special Needs Technical Advisor will review individuals’ applications who have any conditions as outlined in Form B of the Participant Consent and Medical Information Form.

In consultation with the Special Needs Head Coach, the Special Needs Technical Advisor will assess the individual with Special Needs and designate the individual to one of the following groups:

Group 1 – fully integrated/mainstreamed

Group 2 - integrated/ mainstreamed with an assistant

Group 3 - recommended to a modified program that best suits individual’s ability level/needs Group 4 - not recommended for some or all gymnastic disciplines based on medical/safety reasons

The Special Needs Technical Advisor will advise the Head Coach of any limitations or safety measures that should be considered during the development of the program for each participant

HEAD COACH

 

In consultation with the Special Needs Technical Advisor, the Head Coach will assess the individual with Special Needs and designate the individual to one of the following groups:

Group 1 – fully integrated/mainstreamed

Group 2 - integrated/ mainstreamed with an assistant

Group 3 - recommended to a modified program that best suits his/her ability level/needs

Group 4 - not recommended for some or all gymnastic disciplines based medical/safety reasons

In consultation with the Technical Advisor, will, where required, develop modified programs

Identifies any specialized equipment and/or facility requirements that are needed to facilitate usage of the program/instruction by applicants with special needs.

Selects coaches and provides any special ‘gymnastic’ information/data needed for coaches to properly instruct individuals with special needs

Regularly monitors each coach’s instruction and overall program

 

 

 

V) COACHING CRITERIA:

 

All coaches participating in a Special Needs program MUST be NCCP Level 1 certified for each discipline that he/she will be coaching. Prior to an individual participating in the class, the coach MUST review the Special Conditions Information Form, (Form B), the Abilities and Limitations Form, (Form C), and any recommendations made by the Technical Advisor (where required) and head coach for that individual. Any modifications to equipment or activities must be in place prior to the individual participating in an activity. The head coach must have successfully completed the NCCP Level 2 component from each discipline on which the special needs program/instruction is based.

IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT ALL SPECIAL NEEDS COACHES RECEIVE CURRENT INFORMATION ON A REGULAR BASIS FROM THE SPECIAL NEEDS HEAD COACH AND/OR THE CLUB’S TECHNICAL ADVISOR(S).

VI) INSURANCE:

All special needs participants are to be registered as recreational gymnasts with The O.G.F..

Any assistant provided by and accompanying the participant must be registered with the O.G.F. as a supporter

Any professional assistant representing an educational or medical

institution or agency or community organization must have their employer provide a certificate naming The O. G.F. as additional insured and include a Cross Liability Clause prior to participating as an assistant in any program

If the Club hires an assistant(s) to aid a participant(s), the Club is responsible to register the assistant as a ‘CIT’, or coach of recreation, depending on their qualifications and must adhere to all policies regarding "CIT’s" and coach of recreation

 

 

 

 

FORM B - SPECIAL CONDITIONS INFORMATION FORM

NAME OF PARTICIPANT_______________________________

please check
 

CONDITION

This section is to be completed by a parent, guardian, caregiver, councilor, physician, physical therapist, occupational therapist or educator/teacher who is familiar with the ability level and limitations of the participant:

NO

YES

1

VISUAL OR HEARING IMPAIRMENT

    

2

DIFFICULTY IN COMPREHENDING INSTRUCTIONS

    

3

SEVERE ALLERGIES (EPINEPHRINE REQUIRED)

    

4

DEVELOPMENTALLY DELAYED

    

5

ATTENTION DEFICIT DISORDER

    

6

ASTHMATIC (prone to attacks)

    

7

PROSTHESIS

    

8

LIMITED RANGE OF MOTION DUE TO INJURY, SURGERY, OR OTHER

    
 

Specify

 

    

9

ANY OTHER CONDITION THAT IS NOT ALREADY LISTED AND SHOULD BE DISCLOSED

    
 

Specify

 

 

    

 

 

 

form completed by (print name): _________________________________

signature: ____________________________________________________

 

relationship to participant: ______________________________________

 

date:

   

 
 

CONDITION

This section must be completed by a Physician, Physical Therapist, Occupational Therapist, or someone qualified to conduct Functional Assessments of the participant

NO

YES

1

SPINA BIFIDA

    

2

CEREBRAL PALSY

    

3

MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY

    

4

HYDROCEPHALUS (SHUNT)

    

5

VISUAL IMPAIRMENT

    

6

POLIO

    

7

AUTISM

    

8

PREDISPOSITION TO SEIZURES

    

9

USHER’S SYNDROME

    

10

ANY OTHER CONDITION THAT COULD RESULT IN POSSIBLE LIMITATIONS DURING PARTICIPATION IN A GYMNASTIC CLASS

    
 

Specify:

 

 

    

11

DOWNS SYNDROME -if yes, please complete atlanto-axial section

    

 

 

 

form completed by (print name): _________________________________

 

signature: ____________________________________________________

 

professional qualifications: _____________________________________

 

date:

    

FORM C- ABILITIES AND LIMITATIONS FORM

 

NAME OF PARTICIPANT_______________________________________________________

Activity permitted ?

ACTIVITY

This section is to be completed by a parent, guardian, caregiver, councilor, physician, physical therapist, occupational therapist or educator/teacher who is familiar with the ability level and limitations of the participant

YES

-no limitations

YES

-with assistance

NO

COMMENTS

WEIGHT BEARING ON FEET

        

WEIGHT BEARING ON HANDS & KNEES

        

WEIGHT BEARING STOMACH (PRONE)

        

WEIGHT BEARING BACK (SUPINE)

        

WEIGHT BEARING HANDS (ie handstand)

        

HANGING/SWINGING FROM HANDS

        

JUMPING/SPRINGING ON MATS

        

JUMPING (BOUNCING) ON TRAMPOLINE

        

BOUNCING ON SEAT -TRAMP

        

ROLLING forward or backward over neck

        

ROLLING longitudinal (ie-log rolling)

        

OTHER

        

I FEEL THAT GYMNASTICS WOULD BE BENEFICIAL FOR THE APPLICANT. THE FOLLOWING LIMITATIONS, IF ANY, SHOULD BE TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION WHEN DESIGNING A PROGRAM FOR THIS INDIVIDUAL. (IE RANGE OF MOTION, SPECIAL DEVICES...)

_________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

 

3) IF AN ASSISTANT IS RECOMMENDED BY THE CLUB, WHO WILL BE ACCOMPANYING THE PARTICIPANT?

 

Name____________________________________ Professional occupation (if applicable)________________________

Does the assistant represent an outside institution, agency or organization? No___Yes___ If yes, please

specify___________________________________________________________________________________________

 

PERSON COMPLETING THIS FORM_________________________________________DATE___________________

 

------------------------------------------------------CLUB USE----------------------------------------------------------

 

CLUB TECHNICAL ADVISOR’S RECOMMENDATIONS

1) REQUIRES ASSISTANT no____ yes____

2) CONSIDERATIONS___________________________________________________________

 

___________________________________________________________________________

 

3) LIMITATIONS_______________________________________________________________

 

_____________________________________________________________________________

 

4) SPECIAL EQUIPMENT RECOMMENDATIONS_____________________________________

 

_____________________________________________________________________________

 

5) ADDITIONAL COMMENTS_____________________________________________________

 

_____________________________________________________________________________

 

TECHNICAL ADVISOR____________________________________________DATE_________________

 

Notice to all Downs syndrome participants:

 

According to the Ontario Special Olympics, participation in gymnastics and similar activities by those individuals who have a positive gap greater than or equal to .5 cm in the C1 and C2 vertebrae in the neck, could potentially result in "injury if they participate in activities that hyper-extend or radically flex the neck or upper spine." As a result of this recommendation, The Ontario Gymnastic Federation requires all participants with Downs syndrome, who are potentially pre-disposed to this condition, to be x-rayed, in order to determine whether or not this condition is present. Should the gap be greater than .5 cm, for the safety of the individual, The Ontario Gymnastic Federation prohibits participation by this individual in any gymnastic activity.

 

ATLANTO-AXIAL DISLOCATION EXAMINATION RESULT FORM

NOTE: ALL DOWNS SYNDROME APPLICANTS

MUST HAVE THE FOLLOWING SECTION COMPLETED BY THEIR DOCTOR

 

This is to certify that________________________________ who has Downs Syndrome, has had x-rays taken (full extension and flexion of the neck) to determine a pathological displacement of C1 on C2.

DATE OF X-RAY____________________________

 

RESULTS

Positive – C1 - C2 gap distance equal to or greater than .5

Negative – C1 - C2 gap distance less than .5

 

(please circle) Positive/Negative & indicate gap distance: ____________cm

 

 

Physician’s Name_______________________________ Phone____________________

 

Signature____________________________________ Date____________________________

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CLUB APPLICATION TO OFFER SPECIAL NEEDS PROGRAMS

 

CLUB NAME_______________________________________________________________

 

ADDRESS_________________________________________________________________

 

PHONE__________________________________FAX_________________________________

 

 

1) SPECIAL NEEDS CLUB CONTACT___________________________________________ __

 

PHONE_________________________Signature_____________________________________

 

2) (one required)

 

SPECIAL NEEDS TECHNICAL ADVISOR________________________________________

 

QUALIFICATIONS______________________________________________________________

 

PHONE________________________________Signature______________________________

 

 

SPECIAL NEEDS TECHNICAL ADVISOR________________________________________

 

QUALIFICATIONS______________________________________________________________

 

PHONE________________________________Signature______________________________

 

 

SPECIAL NEEDS TECHNICAL ADVISOR________________________________________

 

QUALIFICATIONS______________________________________________________________

 

PHONE________________________________Signature______________________________

 

 

 

3) SPECIAL NEEDS HEAD COACH________________________________________________

 

NCCP QUALIFICATIONS________________________________________________________

 

PHONE____________________________________Signature__________________________

 

DATE OF APPLICATION______________________________________________________________