In this paper, we study a controversy which appeared when Deaf athletes integrated the French Paralympic Federation (FFH). This process of institutional integration finally excluded deaf people from all international competitions (e. g. Deaflympics) while promotors of « institutional inclusion » wished the opposite. In this case study, we examine the controversy between FFH and deaf people based on data collected on the internet site and archives of federations involved in the conflictual process. This conflict is based on the type of social participation FFH and deaf people aim at developing. While FFH tends to develop universalistic inclusion from a specific definition of disability, deaf sportsmen claim their specific culture through sport. Few years later, deaf sportsmen and FFH will find a compromise. However, the negociation will be at the adavantage paralympic federation.