Disability rights and change in a global perspective

The 2006 UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) brought in a new era of disability rights, and as a human rights instrument Article 30 of the Convention addresses rights in sport and physical activity. Rights include those in disability-specific sport and mainstream sport, games, recreation, leisure, tourist sites and activities. The Convention also addresses other aspects of sport including coaching, training, management, barrier-free facilities and physical education. This article argues that the shift from a disability and charity-based approach to a rights-based approach fundamentally changes the playing field, the players, the spectators and the society. It also argues that the UN Convention provides a framework by which policies and programmes can be measured, and the public recognition of different bodies and abilities to support inclusive societies in the global context.