Persons with disabilities are at the heart of the handball community and of the International Handball Federation’s vision for a truly global, inclusive sport. As the world marks the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, each year, on 3 December, the IHF expresses an underlining a simple message: there is no sustainable development in sport or society without full inclusion, meaningful participation and fair access to health and physical activity for all.
Around 1.3 billion persons with disabilities live in the world today, roughly 16% of the global population.

Many of them still face barriers to health care, sport, education and employment, often because systems are not designed with accessibility, affordability and equity in mind. This year, the World Health Organization highlights inclusive health financing as a key tool to close those gaps, calling on governments and partners to ensure that disability-related needs are properly covered and funded. When financing and policy address the needs of persons with disabilities, everyone benefits from stronger, fairer health systems.

Handball has its role to play in this transformation. Through wheelchair handball, national federations and local clubs are opening new pathways into the sport, creating teams where athletes with and without disabilities share the same court, the same jersey and the same ambitions. Inclusive competitions offer far more than medals: they provide community, visibility and a route to better physical and mental health. They also challenge persistent stereotypes by showcasing elite performance, tactical depth and the passion of athletes whose talent has too often gone unseen.

Over 30 National Federations on all continents have already established wheelchair handball teams, with two editions of the IHF Wheelchair Handball World Championship being played in 2022 and 2024, and the third one already scheduled for 2026. Just recently, the Portuguese National Wheelchair Handball Team have taken the crown at the EHF Wheelchair EURO 2025 held at the NBA Basketball School in Vilnius, Lithuania form 26 to 30 November, with nine teams taking part.

The IHF is committed to working with continental confederations, member federations, clubs, athletes and organisations of persons with disabilities to expand opportunities in wheelchair handball. This includes supporting coach and referee education, developing competition structures, sharing good practices on accessibility and encouraging investment in safe, barrier‑free venues. In line with global calls for disability-inclusive financing, the IHF also advocates that sport, health and social sectors work together so that participation in physical activity and rehabilitation through sport is not a privilege, but a realistic option for all.