Inclusion Opportunities in Cheer

USA Cheer follows the ICU and IPC guidelines for Adaptive Abilities classifications, including:

1.Impaired muscle power
2. Impaired passive range of movement
3. Limb deficiency
4. Leg length difference
5. Short stature
6. Hypertonia
7. Ataxia
8. Athetosis
9. Visual impairment
10. Intellectual impairment
11. Hearing impairment*

*Hearing impairment is included by the ICU but not part of the IPC’s guidelines as the sport builds numbers for participation.

Special Abilities is a program or team or individual with an intellectual disability.

There are two types of Special Abilities teams:

• Traditional Team – 100% Athletes with disabilities on a team
• Unified Team – 1% to 99% Athletes with and without intellectual disabilities on a team.

These may involve an ambassador role or full integration into a school or club team.

USA Cheer a proud partner with Special Olympics. 

Special Olympics programs have two divisions:

• Traditional Team – 100% Athletes with intellectual disabilities on a team
• Unified Team – 50% or more Athletes with intellectual disabilities and 50% or less Unified Partners
  (Unified Partners may not exceed skill level to the Athletes)

IMPORTANT: All athletes, unified partners, coaches, and chaperones must complete proper registration and certifications with their Special Olympics Program.

Please contact your local or regional Special Olympics office for specific information on coaching or becoming an athlete or contact Darian@SOCheer.org