Classification
In order to hold an even and fair competition among athletes with disabilities, classification systems have been developed. Classification of an athlete with a disability is necessary in order to allow for competition among athletes with great variations in level and degree of disability. It enables competitors with even the most severe disability to compete in a fair manner with other athletes with a similar degree of disability.

Presently in most sports the functional classification system is used. Functional Classification means that all athletes in the same class have similar levels of function in areas as range motion, coordination and balance. According to that system, athletes with different kind of disabilities can compete against each other if they have similar levels of function.   

The classes are described by a letter, usually the initial letter of the sport, and a number (e.g. S5 in swimming, T44 in athletics - track). The lower number usually represents a higher level of disability.

Disability categories
Below is a list of categories of disabilities in which althetes are competing:

Athletes with Physical Disabilities
- Amputee Athletes
- Athletes with Spinal Cord Injuries
- Athletes with Cerebral Palsy
- Les Autres, i.e. athletes with a physical disability that are not included in the above-mentioned categories (e.g. Muscular dystrophy)
Athletes with Vision Impairments