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Sports & Leisure

UCP’s Sports and Leisure Channel is designed for people with disabilities who are interested in sports and other leisure activities and proposes creative ideas for inclusive community recreation programs, including outdoor adventure activities for people with disabilities.

July 4, 2009

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Sports & Leisure

Sports & Team Games

Table Tennis

Table tennis is an enjoyable recreational and fast paced competitive activity for individuals with disabilities. Two of the main reasons for its popularity is that it can be played almost anywhere and it can be easily adapted to meet an individual's ability level. Table tennis is an official activity of the American Wheelchair Table Tennis Association (AWTTA), the Dwarf Athletic Association of America (DAAA), Special Olympics International (SOI), the United States of America Deaf Sports Federation (USADSF), and the United States Cerebral Palsy Athletic Association (USCPAA).

USA TABLE TENNIS

  • Participants with disabilities are divided into ten divisions using a functional classification system.
  • Classes 1-5 compete in wheelchairs and classes 6-10 compete standing.
  • For wheelchair play, the table length may be reduced, but should not be less than 8 meters long and must be enclosed by surrounds.
  • For more information, contact USA Table Tennis - Disabled Committee. (USATT).

AMERICAN WHEELCHAIR TABLE TENNIS ASSOC.

  • The American Wheelchair Table Tennis Association is the National Governing Body of Wheelchair Sports, USA for table tennis.
  • The AWTTA follows USA Table Tennis rules.
  • For more information, contact the American Wheelchair Table Tennis Association (AWTTA).

DAAA TABLE TENNIS

  • DAAA follows all USA Table Tennis rules.
  • The only major modification in DAAA table tennis is the use of risers or platforms.
  • The risers are one foot high to enable individuals to see and reach above the table.
  • DAAA hosts one major table tennis event each year at the DAAA National Games.
  • For more information, contact the Dwarf Athletic Association of America (DAAA).

SPECIAL OLYMPICS TABLE TENNIS

  • Special Olympics offers events including: singles, doubles, wheelchair competition, and individual skills contest.
  • Doubles events consist of: mixed and Unified Sports(r) doubles & mixed doubles.
  • Individual skills contests consist of: target serve, racket bounce, and return shot.
  • For more information, contact Special Olympics International (SOI).

USCPAA TABLE TENNIS

  • USCPAA follows all USA Table Tennis rules.
  • Competition is held within a ten division classification system.
  • For more information, contact the Unites States Cerebral Palsy Athletic Association (USCPAA).

USADSF TABLE TENNIS

  • USADSF follows all USA Table Tennis rules.
  • Events are international, USADSF athletes compete in the Deaf World Games to represent the US.
  • For more information, contact the United States of America Deaf Sports Federation (USADSF).

SHOWDOWN

  • Showdown is a cross between table tennis and air hockey for individuals with visual impairments.
  • It is played on a table 12 feet long, 4 feet wide, and 35 inches high. The paddles are 15 x 3.5 inches. A 15 inch "center screen" divides the table into two sections with sunken "goal pockets" at each end.
  • The ball is filled with BB's to create a sound so players can hear the location of the ball.
  • Games are played to eleven points and are determined by a variety of rules.
  • For more information, contact the International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA).

INTERNATIONAL TABLE TENNIS COMMITTEE FOR THE DISABLED

  • The International Table Tennis Committee for the Disabled has information on rankings, rules, forums, and international information for individuals interested in table tennis.
  • For more information, contact the International Table Tennis Committee for the Disabled (ITTC).

ACTIVITY MITTS

Activity mitts can be used for participants with little or no use of their hands. Velcro straps allow individuals to grip the paddle.

EQUIPMENT SUPPLIERS

Access to Recreation
(activity mitts)
www.accesstr.com
(800) 634-4351

Butterfly Table Tennis
(balls, paddles, gear, talbes)
www.butterflyonline.com
(800) 611-7712

Gopher
(tables, balls, paddles)
www.gophersport.com
(800) 533-0446

Newgy
(accessories, ball machines)
www.newgy.com
(800) 556-3949

Sportime
(tables, balls, paddles)
www.sportime.com
(800) 283-5700

Books - Introduction to Table Tennis available from Wheelchair Sports, USA (WSUSA).

FOR MORE INFORMATION

AWTTA
www.awtta.org
(914) 937-3932

DAAA
www.daaa.org
(972) 317-8299

IBSA
www.ibsa.es
(604) 325-8638

ITTF
www.ittf.com
(44.1424) 72-1414

ITTC
www.tabletennis.org/ittc

SOI
www.specialolympics.org
(202) 628-3630

USADSF
www.usadsf.org
(801) 393-7916 (TTY)

USATT
www.usatt.org
(719) 578-4583

USCPAA
www.uscpaa.org
(401) 874-7465

WSUSA
www.wsusa.org
(719) 574-1150

NOTE
The information provided here is offered as a service only. The National Center on Physical Activity and Disability, University of Illinois at Chicago, the National Center on Accessibility, and the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago do not formally recommend or endorse the equipment listed. As with any products or services, consumers should investigate and determine on their own which equipment best fits their needs and budget.

Source: NCPAD

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