Call for articles in the run up to International Day of Persons with Disabilities

November 6, 2020 

In recognition of the upcoming International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPWD) on 3 December, the sportanddev platform is calling for articles on the issue of including persons with disabilities in sport.  

IDPWD is a United Nations recognised day and this year the theme ‘Not all Disabilities are Visible’ also focuses on spreading awareness and understanding of disabilities that are not immediately apparent, such as mental illness, chronic pain, diabetes, neurological disorders, learning differenced and cognitive dysfunctions, among others. 

According to the WHO World Report on Disability, 15% of the world’s population, or more than 1 billion people, are living with disability. Of this number, it’s estimated 450 million are living with a mental or neurological condition— two-thirds of whom will not seek professional medical help, largely due to stigma, discrimination and neglect. 

During the COVID-19 pandemic, isolation, disconnection, disrupted routines and diminished services have greatly impacted the lives and mental well-being of people with disabilities around the world. Spreading awareness of invisible disabilities, as well as these potentially detrimental— and not always immediately apparent— impacts to mental health, is crucial as the world continues to fight against the virus. 

You can contribute on behalf of an organization highlighting how you are working on the issue or as an individual sharing your views on the topic. Sportanddev are open to receiving articles on a range of subjects, but questions to consider are: 

• How are you including persons with disabilities in your programs, policies, organizations and communities? 
• What are two to three challenges that you confront when working to include persons with disabilities in sport, and how do you seek to overcome these challenges?   
• What information and resources would you like to see and have in your work toward including persons with disabilities in sport?  
• What are two to three innovative ideas, tips, solutions or recommendations you would like to share and pass on to others with respect to including persons with disabilities in sport? 
• Are sport for development organizations doing enough to include persons with disabilities in their programs? How can a wider variety of organizations be encouraged to include persons with disabilities?  
• What are your views on the current state of policies related to this topic? What policies from governments or sports federations would lead to more effective inclusion of persons with disabilities in sport?  
• What do you see as future opportunities for including persons with disabilities in sport? 

Contributors are free to explore other questions in addition to those listed. Please submit responses to Tariqa Tandon on [email protected] by Friday, 13 November. Additional  details can be found here.