Abilympics

Abilympics (Olympics of abilities) are vocational skills competitions (not sports) for persons of all disabilities.  In 1972, the Japan Association for Employment of the Disabled, under the Ministry of Labour, held the Olympics of Abilities. The aim was to improve the vocational abilities of disabled persons, and to help them reach their highest potential. In 1981, almost a decade later, the First International Abilympics was held in Tokyo to commemorate the United Nations International Year of Disabled Persons. The International Abilympics are now  held every four years under the aegis of International Abilympic Federation. The second International Abilympics were held in Bogota, Colombia in 1985.

Under the dynamic leadership of Late Sir Harry Fang, a new category of events – leisure and living skills-  was introduced in the Third International Abilympics held in Hong Kong in 1991. Since then, International Abilympics have been held in Australia (1995) and Prague, The Czech Republic (2000), New Delhi, India  (2003), Shizuoka, Japan  (2007). The Eighth International Abilympics is scheduled to take place in Seoul, South Korea in 2011.

The focus of Abilympics is showcasing the abilities and not the disability of the persons.

The following 33 vocational skills contests and 7 leisure and living contests are planned to be organized in 8th IA.

Leisure and Living Skills Contests