The fourth annual international Shafallah Forum held the theme “Achieving Independence” from 20-22 April in Doha, Qatar, bringing in a bevy of strong supporters concentrating on the rights of persons with a disability.

Bonn, Germany - The Laureus World Sports Academy has announced the six nominations for the World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability category for the Laureus World Sports Awards 2009. Medallists from the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games dominate the nominations:

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) organized a symposium from 21-22 April in Lausanne, Switzerland, providing a unique forum of information exchange between the agency and International Federations (IFs).

Universal Sports is officially bringing back their coverage of the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games to sporting enthusiasts in the USA with a total of 28 hours of events and programming.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) Evaluation Commission for the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games wrapped up its second official site inspection stop on 19 April in Tokyo, Japan.

The official magazine of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), 'The Paralympian', has undergone a moderate change in 2009.

Deputies from Russia’s State Duma and representatives of leading public organizations recently discussed Russia’s ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities, in preparation for the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games. The meeting demonstrates the intensive work being brought into Russia’s national legislation toward further alignment with international standards.