Paralympic Sport Science
This page supports the professional development of high-performance sport scientists and leaders working with Canadian Paralympic sport. Below you will find access to:
- Community of Practice: A network and platform for connection and peer-to-peer learning in Paralympic Sport Science.
- Sport Scientist Canada Learning Modules: Learning modules to develop and apply foundational knowledge in Para sport contexts.
- Practitioner Pathway: Competency frameworks and tools to help sport scientists grow from entry level to para-sport leader.
- Additional Resources: Additional educational resources from leading partners.
Join the Community of Practice
The Paralympic Sport Science Community of Practice (CoP) connects practitioners, researchers, and technical leaders to share challenges, exchange practical solutions, and collaborate across disciplines on the topic of para sport science.
The CoP hosts several types of gatherings throughout the year, including:
- Professional Development Webinars; Educational sessions on key topics related to para sport science, sharing best practices and supporting sport scientists and sport leaders at all career stages.
- Rapid Fire: Paralympic Innovation Series – Quick, practitioner-driven presentations showcasing field-based solutions in para sport science. Designed to update the field and spark collaborations.
- Sport x Applied Research Exchange – Two-way knowledge exchanges between Paralympic Sport (NSOs, COPSIN, CPC) and Applied Research (colleges, polytechnics, academia) collaborators. These sessions align sport-side challenges with research insights and advanced technologies.
Join Us: The Paralympic Sport Science Basecamp is our hub for event invites & resource sharing. If you are already an SSC member, request to join the CoP: CoP Registration. To view our Sport Scientist Canada memberships – SSC Memberships.
Sport Scientist Canada Learning Modules
Paralympic sport requires specialized knowledge of sport-specific rules, athlete classification and eligibility, equipment and training adaptations, and practices that ensure accessibility and inclusion.
These education modules have been developed by Sport Scientist Canada. They are designed to help sport scientists, practitioners, and sport leaders to safely, effectively and appropriately support athletes competing in Paralympic sport.
This module is intended to provide foundational knowledge in para sport whilst also directing participants to best-practice resources as recommended by Canada’s leading practitioners in para sport.
We have developed a progressive learning pathway to support sport science practitioners of all levels in their preparation to working with athletes with disabilities. Practitioners can begin by developing foundational knowledge through the Entry to Practice Framework and, as their experience grows, pursue the Para Sport Area of Focus Competency (AFC) to formally recognize advanced expertise in high-performance Para sport.
This framework defines structured learning objectives and identifies relevant resources for sport science practitioners entering practice within Paralympic sport. It aims to establish foundational knowledge for practitioners on the high-performance pathway, supporting their progression toward advanced competence such as the Para Sport Area of Focus designation.
The Para Sport AFC objective is to evaluate both the practitioner’s knowledge and experience in HP para sport environments. This para-specific specialization builds upon the designation of High Performance Certification at any level. The AFC confirms an area of specialty and experience in high-performance para sport environments, and recognizes those for having acquired competencies that enhance their applied work with para sport athletes and coaches.
These education modules have been identified from leading partners as foundational learning resources for sport scientists. They are designed to help sport scientists, practitioners, and sport leaders to safely, effectively and appropriately support athletes competing in Paralympic sport.
Developed by the Canadian Disability Participation Project, this module covers disability awareness, respectful communication, history of para sport, and eligibility.
The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) developed a self-paced Classification Fundamentals online course, which teaches introductory classification concepts, Classification Code, classification rationale, and microlearning resources.
