A dance couple must be comprised of a male and a female partner, one of which must be a
Wheelchair Dance Sport dance couple.
wheelchair user with at least a minimal disability that makes walking impossible.
Participants with disabilities in the lower parts of their bodies such as amputation, paralysis, cerebral palsy, and leg shortening (at least 7 cm) are eligible for competition.
Participants are expected to have normal upper-body functions.
There are two functional classes based on ability to maneuver a wheelchair, trunk rotation, and arm function.
In all rounds of International Wheelchair Dance Sport Competitions, the music is played for a minimum of 1 1/2 minutes for Waltz, Tango, Slow Foxtrot, Quickstep, Samba, Cha-Cha-Cha, Rumba and Paso Doble. The time for the Viennese Waltz and Jive is 1 minute. In the qualifying rounds, the same music must be played for different heats.
International Wheelchair Dance Sport Competitions are comprised of at least two qualifying rounds to allow couples the opportunity of dancing twice. The number of rounds is determined by the number of participants.
At least 50% of participating couples are recalled to the next round, except for the final.
Winners are selected by a panel of judges from varying countries.
