India Hosts Sixth International Abilympics in November
By Michele Morgan (Michele@rehab-international.org)

Young people and adults from all regions of the world will congregate in New Delhi, India, from November 23-29, 2003 to take part in an event that occurs only once every four years. The International Abilympics provides a forum for people with disabilities to compete in a variety of areas: vocational, leisure and living skills and events for children.

The Abilympics started as a national competition in Japan in the 1970s. Its aim was to improve the vocational skills of people with disabilities in order to promote their participation in socio-economic activities. The competitions held in a variety of skills areas were aimed to give young people and adults with disabilities the skills and confidence they need to get and hold jobs, and to demonstrate to the public at large these individuals' potential and their competence. This change in perception of how people with disabilities were seen helped to increase employment options and job stability.

In 1981, the national competition became a global one and the 1st International Abilympics was held in Tokyo, Japan, with great success. With the encouragement of Prof. Harry Fang of Hong Kong, the International Abilympic Federation was established in 1981 to promote and help sponsor this important event. Since its inception as an international competition, Columbia (1985), Hong Kong (1991), Australia (1995) and the Czech Republic (2000) have each hosted an Abilympics. Participation in the event increased from 841 competitors in Tokyo, Japan, the first year to several thousand in the Czech Republic in 2000. The event organizers in India are planning on continuing the trend and are estimating 3000 competitors from 40-50 countries this year.

This year's International Abilympics will have a wide variety of skill contests in both vocational and leisure areas, including: computer programming, desktop publishing, ceramics, dress making, photography, floral arrangement, wood carving, cake decorating, painting, chess, knitting and contract bridge. Children over 8 and under 15 years of age will also have a chance to show off their skills in such areas as embroidery, jigsaw puzzles, painting, card designing, origami, cartooning and computer skills.

The Government of India, the Ministries of Social Justice Empowerment and Human Resource Development, the Government of New Delhi, voluntary organizations and the corporate and private sectors are working together to support this year's Abilympics competition.

For more information about events, registration and costs, go to www.abilympicsindia.org.