Abilympics: Olympics with a difference!

The ‘Olympics of Abilities’ of persons with disabilities. Abilympics is competitions but is not Sports. It is a contest of skills pertaining to vocational and leisure time activities. Ability pitted against Ability irrespective of the disability of the participant. Hence the name ‘Abilympics’, coined from Abilities and Olympics. Its uniqueness is that for the first time, ability is the focus of the event rather than the type and severity of the disability.

Abilympics aspires to

> improve the quality of life of persons with disability by discovering and tapping their residual productive talents.

> stimulate the desire in persons with disabilities to participate in the economic activities of the society and thus empower them for economic self reliance 

> create awareness in society towards the needs and aspirations of persons with disabilities

And ultimately

    > help create an inclusive environment where each has a rightful place in the sun irrespective of differences

 Abilympics Movement: how it all began

In 1972 held the Olympics of Abilities was held in Japan by the Association for Employment of the Disabled with the avowed purpose of improving their vocational abilities resulting in increased employment opportunities.

In 1981 the 1^st International Abilympics was held in Tokyo to commemorate the UN Year of the Disabled Persons. Its success spurred the organizers to agree to hold the Event every 4 years in different countries. The second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth International abilympics were held in Colombia, Hongkong, Australia, Czech republic and India respectively. Abilympics help to change the traditional views regarding skills, potential and abilities of the disabled persons.

India’s Achievements at the Internationals

India first officially participated in the 5^th Internationals in Prague, Czech Republic when it sent a 14 member contingent. India returned with 9 medals and a winning bid to hold the 6^th Internationals in New Delhi in 2003. In the 6^th Internationals again India did well winning 34 medals including 7 Golds. Maharashtra returned with 1 Gold, 3 Silver and 7 Bronze medals.

Preparing for the 2007 International Abilympics

The achievements of the 6^th Internationals spurred us to continue and even strengthen the Abilympics movement in the State. With this end we decided to widen the selection process for the 2007 internationals by beginning with District level Abilympics from where winners would be chosen to participate at the State levels. The Abilympics pyramid thus is: District Abilympics -> State Abilympics in December 2005-> Regional Abilympics, early 2005 -> Nationals, end 2006-> International Abilympics in Japan in 2007. This will ensure that the best will reach the International Abilympics in Shizouka, Japan in 2007.

The Events

The Skills competitions at the International level are of 2 types, the Vocational Skills and Leisure & Living Skills for participants above 15 years. Competitions for participants below 15 years will be up to the National Levels only.  

• No. of participants (excluding escorts and officials) - 262

• No. of contestants who participated in more than one contest - 16

• Total no. of contest 

  Vocational Skills	19
  Leisure & Living Skills	8
  Competitions for under 15	10

The List of Competitions for the 7^th International Abilympics 2007   

Winners List