The IFA is committed to the UN Charter of Human Rights and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD) and wants to promote the participation of people with disabilities in sports – as laid down in Article 30 of the UN CRPD – in the sport of Fistball as well.

“Many sports clubs are demonstrating how participation and inclusion can be lived. The sports clubs and sports associations are already making their contribution on the way to an inclusive society. However, the potential for inclusion in club sports is far from being fully exploited,” said IFA President Jörn Verleger on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

In order to break down existing barriers, the IFA supports the following demands.

Access to sports and exercise
To enable people with disabilities to participate in sports, they need an adequate supply of aids (such as sports wheelchairs, appropriate prostheses, etc.) and unbureaucratic advice, referral, and reimbursement of assistance services according to the needs of people with disabilities.

Access to sports facilities
Accessibility, access and sports facilities and rooms must be designed and converted to be barrier-free, both for people who want to actively participate in sports and for spectators and volunteers with disabilities.

Participation in voluntary work
In order to enable people with disabilities to participate in decision-making and to carry out voluntary work (e.g. through assistance, conversions, the purchase of software or technical equipment), sports associations and clubs must be supported in implementing and financing the costs incurred.

Barrier-free communication
Particularly in the area of communication, accessibility is the basis for the participation of people with disabilities. Further possibilities for the financing of speech-to-text reporting are to be developed.

“The sports associations and clubs cannot possibly achieve these goals alone; they are dependent on a wide range of differentiated support services at all levels of government action. Only together can we face up to this future task for our society,” says Verleger.