The IPC is calling on interested competitors to put themselves forward to their National Paralympic Committee (NPC) for selection.

The NPCs have until the deadline of May 16 to make the application on behalf of their athlete.

Only those who are due to compete at Rio 2016 or who have represented their country at the previous two Paralympics - Beijing 2008 and London 2012 – are eligible to be nominated.

Voting, open to all athletes competing in the Brazilian city, is due to be held between September 5 and 16 in the Athletes’ Dining Hall in the Paralympic Village.

“The Paralympic Movement is growing at a fast pace and we, the IPC Athletes’ Council, need to ensure that the athlete voice continues to be included in the discussions and impacts the decisions made,” IPC Athletes’ Council chairperson Todd Nicholson of Canada, ice sledge hockey gold medallist at the Winter Paralympics in Turin in 2006, said.

He added: “We need people who are willing to dedicate the time to the Council to ensure it serves athletes in the best possible way, and continues to be a valued asset.

“We are creating new ways within International Federations to talk to and engage with athletes, such as focus groups, and we need people who can transfer the unique skills they have developed on the field of play to help.

“This is a great opportunity to be involved.

“Come and be part of the amazing development of para-sport worldwide.

“The future of the Paralympics is bright - come join us."

The IPC Athletes’ Council, which meets twice a year, is tasked with representing the view of athletes to the IPC itself.

It has eight full members, as well as Nicholson and vice-chair Elvira Stinissen, who competes for The Netherlands in sitting volleyball.

International Olympic Committee Athletes’ Commission chair Claudia Bokel of Germany is the Olympic Movement's representative on the IPC Athletes’ Council.