US Paralympics claim the new initiative will provide talented athletes with the first step towards a podium place and continues the organisation's mission to have the US team ranked number one in the world like its Olympic counterparts.

"Our goal is to become number one in the world in Paralympic sport," said Charlie Huebner, chief executive of Paralympics at the United States Olympic Committee (USOC).

"In order to do that, we have to grow the number of Paralympic-eligible athletes competing in sport at all levels across the country.

"Through the Gateway to Gold programme, we plan to expand the number of opportunities for potential athletes to get in front of quality coaches and take that next step towards one day standing on the podium at a Paralympic Games."

The programme, which will be run in partnership with national governing bodies, Paralympic sports clubs and various veteran organisations, will host a number of introduction to sport and talent identification days across the US, where athletes with physical and visual disabilities can have their potential measured through athletic skill drills and tests as well as assessment from top level coaches.

An emphasis will be placed on high school and college-aged athletes and disabled veterans, and the introduction and talent identification events, which are free to attend, may focus on one sport or include a variety of sports including cycling, rowing and track and field.

Following a talent identification day, athletes will have their marks evaluated, which includes comparison to national team standards, by US Paralympics coaches and high performance staff, and those who show high athletic potential in the sport in which they were tested, or show strengths compatible with another sport, will have the opportunity to participate in more advanced events, including clinics and competitions, which will help them to develop as athletes and move toward elite performances.

Danelle Umtead has won two Winter Paralympic bronze medals for the USA