Eligibility:

MEMBERSHIP IN DAAA

To be eligible for participation in DAAA, a competitor must agree to observe and abide by the Official DAAA Policies, Procedures, and Sports Rules.

Eligibility Rules

·        Eligible for competition are disproportionate dwarfs (usually those with a chondrodysplasia) that are less than or equal to five feet in height and proportionate dwarfs less than or equal to 4 foot 10 inches in height.

·        All participants must meet special medical clearance requirements stated in the Special Medical Concerns section.

·        All participants except those participating only in boccia must have on file a current medical form.  An example of the form is presented in Appendix A.

·        Each athlete is required to sign a "Waiver and Release of Liability and Publicity Release" in order to participate in DAAA sanctioned events.  An example of the Waiver is presented in Appendix A.

No person shall, on the grounds of sex, race, religion, color or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, and/or otherwise be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity of DAAA.

Special Medical Concerns

Certain non-achondroplasic dwarf conditions have abnormalities

of the cervical vertebrae which may lead to instability of the neck

and serious injury including paralysis.

DAAA requires the following special procedures before individuals with non-achondroplasic dwarfism may participate in certain activities.                                              

1.      Two X-rays of the cervical spine, including a lateral-flexion and a lateral-extension view, shall be submitted to the executive director.

2.      The X-rays will be evaluated by a DAAA sanctioned physician familiar with the cervical spine abnormalities of non-achondroplasic dwarfs.

3.      Upon clearance from the physician, the athlete may participate in all activities of DAAA.

4.      If the cervical spine abnormalities are present, the athlete is banned from participation in any DAAA sanctioned event requiring running, jumping, and diving.  Specific sports include track, basketball, soccer, and the dive-start in swimming.

5.      If DAAA requested X-rays of an athlete, but these were not submitted, then athletes are required to sign "The DAAA Special Waiver and Release of Liability Because No X-Ray Provided".  An example is presented in Appendix A.

6.      X-rays are not required for participation in boccia.

7.      DAAA reserves the right to request X-rays of any athlete suspected of having cervical spine abnormalities.