“No more through the back entrance” – position paper on the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

18.01.2011 11:47

Frechen - Real, equal participation in sporting activities, including barrier-free access to sports facilities, remains a core concern of the German Disabled Sports Association (DBS). It is derived from the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, on which the DBS presented a position paper on Monday. The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its implementation are increasingly coming into focus. Various action plans have already been adopted or are being prepared. This year the federal government will submit an initial report on the status of implementation of the convention.

Real, equal participation in sporting activities, including barrier-free access to sports facilities
remains a core concern of the German Disabled Sports Association (DBS). It is derived from the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
Nations, on which the DBS presented a position paper on Monday. The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its implementation are increasingly coming into focus. Various action plans are already in place
adopted or are being prepared. This year the federal government will publish an initial report on the status of implementation
give convention.

In Article 30 (5) of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, “participation in cultural life as well as recreation, leisure and sport” is sport
expressly mentioned. The DBS and its committees have put sport at the center of their considerations, but also themselves
We also thought about the equal participation of people with disabilities. 
The position paper was approved by the main board (the highest body of the DBS between the association meetings) on November 27, 2010
been. It should be constantly updated and adapted in an ongoing discussion process.
DBS President Friedhelm Julius Beucher said on the publication of the position paper: "We need the opportunity
joint sports between disabled people and non-disabled people, but we also need specific offers for people with disabilities
own protected spaces. The possibility of choosing between these alternatives is a central conclusion for us
Convention." The DBS, which is celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2011, will "jointly work with everyone in the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB)
organized sports associations are taking this path in a targeted manner," explained Beucher. "Our clubs have many years of practical experience 
Experience and high level of expertise in sport with people with disabilities and chronically ill people, which they can and want to contribute."

Beucher called for people not to close their eyes, but rather to widen their perspective: "We don't want anyone to drive through the back door
must or can only watch from a distance. Let's open doors and overcome barriers so that all people - with or without
Disabilities - can come in through the main entrance and enjoy the sport at the same time."