The IPC Athletes’ Council consists of 12 current and retired Paralympians, as well as one International Olympic Committee (IOC) Athletes’ Commission representative.

The Council members are tasked with participating in key meetings, as well as having effective communication skills in both written and spoken English to relay athlete-related issues to the Movement’s leaders.

Representatives must have a high level of knowledge of the Paralympic Movement.

Only six summer sports positions on the Council will be up for election at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.

"The IPC Athletes' Council has done a tremendous amount of work to increase its presence and voice within the IPC and the wider Paralympic Movement,” said Chelsey Gotell, IPC Athletes’ Council chairperson.

“We’ve established and are now in the implementation phase of the first ever IPC Athletes’ Council strategy and are keen to ensure that the momentum we’ve built continues, as we transition six of our members out for new voices, perspectives and leadership.

“We are looking to recruit experienced athlete representatives who are passionate and knowledgeable about the Paralympic Movement, and who have time to commit to being a fully engaged and present member of the IPC Athletes’ Council - both in person at meetings, as well as between meetings as strategy leads and through ongoing discussions.

“With an incredibly athlete-focused and athlete-centred leadership within the IPC, it is a very exciting time to be an athlete representative and be part of helping shape the future of the Paralympic Movement.”

Applications for the Athletes’ Council will be accepted until May 20.

Candidates must be nominated through their respective National Paralympic Committees (NPCs).

The Council includes Gotell and vice-chairperson Elvria Stinissen, as well as para-cyclists Monica Bascio and Dame Sarah Storey.

Wheelchair racer Kurt Fearnley and para-archer Gizem Girismen are also among the summer sport representatives.

Winter sport athletes include skiers Marie Bochet, Birgit Skarstein and Rudolf Klemetti, while Nurulasyiqah Mohammad Taha, Suk Man Hong and Natalie Du Toit are co-opted members of the Council.

Slovakia’s Danka Bartekova is the IOC Athletes’ Commission representative.

“Our athletes are at the heart of everything that we do, which makes their voice pinnacle to the discussions and decisions that are made for the future of the Paralympic Movement,” said Andrew Parsons, IPC President.

“As an athlete-centred organisation, the IPC Athletes' Council has been front and centre in providing valuable feedback to many of our strategic priorities as well as the programmes and initiatives we have implemented.

“They are also our direct connection into the athlete community, which has helped us make decisions that are in the best interest of our athletes and our Movement.

“The voice of our Paralympic athletes within the IPC will only continue to grow and we welcome the opportunity to have strong athlete leaders join the IPC Athletes’ Council to help us continue to push the envelope of what it means to be athlete-centred."