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USA Deaf
Sports Federation
Overview
The USA Deaf Sports Federation (USADSF) is the American sports
organization for athletes who are deaf. The organization was established as
the American Athletic Association for the Deaf (AAAD) in Ohio in 1945.
The name change to USADSF was adopted in 1998. |
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Eligibility
Eligibility to compete in USADSF events requires a hearing loss of 55
decibels (dB) or greater in the better ear. Use of hearing aids is not
allowed in regional, national or international competitions.
Classification
Since most deaf athletes do not have mobility impairments, the USADSF
does not use any other formal classification system for competition, and
does not have a separate rulebook.
Age/Gender Groups
Separate events are conducted for male and female
athletes in most sports. Each sport has the option whether to conduct
separate events for different age groups.
Sports
The USADSF has national sports organizations in the following sports.
 | Summer sports - athletics, badminton, baseball, basketball, bowling, cycling, flag football, golf, soccer, softball, swimming,
table tennis, team handball, tennis, volleyball, water polo, and
wrestling. |
| Winter sports - cross-country skiing, downhill
skiing, ice hockey, and snowboarding. |
Major Competitions
The major international competition for deaf athletes is the quadrennial
multi-sport Deaflympics (formerly called the Deaf World Games and World Deaf
Games). In addition, sport-specific world championships are conducted in
many sports. USADSF conducts competitions, clinics, and camps for deaf
athletes at the national, regional, and local levels.
Link
Page prepared by Brian J. Simmerman and revised by
Gail Dummer |
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