International Abilympics competitions – “Olympics of Abilities” – are skills competitions for people with disabilities and special needs. The Abilympics are held under the auspices of a regional host organization together with the International Abilympic Federation (IAF) and Rehabilitation International (RI).

The reasons for organizing the Abilympics are manifold. According to the International Abilympic Federation (IAF), the competitions’ aims are to

A.    Elevate the desire of persons with disabilities for vocational independence and improve their vocational skills;
B.    Enhance public understanding on the vocational abilities of persons with disabilities and their participation in socio-economic activities;
C.    Support full participation of persons with disabilities in society, with special focus on their employment promotion;
D.    Promote international exchange and friendship among participants;
E.    Ensure the involvement of the respective governments in the improvement of vocational skills and promotion of employment of persons with disabilities.

The competitions were held for the first time in Tokyo, Japan in 1981. Since then, the Abilympics have circulated around the world: 1985 in Colombia, 1989 in Hong Kong, 1995 in Australia, 2000 in Czech Republic, 2003 in India, 2007 in Japan, and last time in Seoul, South Korea in September 2011.