Erasmus Shalihaxwe
The organisers of the African Union Sports Council’s (AUSC) Region 5 Youth Games have released a guide to help stakeholders use respectful and accurate language when communicating with and about athletes with disabilities.
The guide, launched this week, is aimed at supporting dignitaries, broadcasters, newsrooms, and other stakeholders in engaging with disability sport using empowering terms.
It introduces key terminology related to parasport, Special Olympics, and inclusive youth sport.
For the first time, the Region 5 Youth Games will include events for athletes with disabilities and special needs.
The 11th edition of the games will take place in Namibia from 4 to 13 July 2025, with Windhoek and Swakopmund hosting.
The guide forms part of the Making Noise campaign, which organisers describe as a learning journey.
The campaign focuses on building a culture of belonging, dignity, and equal visibility for all athletes.
“The Making Noise campaign is an inclusive and participatory process designed to disrupt the silence and marginalisation surrounding disability sports by elevating the voices, stories, and visibility of athletes with disabilities,” the guide states.
Co-created with athletes, media professionals, and community stakeholders, the campaign challenges outdated narratives rooted in pity or charity.
Instead, it promotes strength, talent, innovation, and inclusion in competitive sports.
The organisers said the campaign takes a youth-led approach, presenting athletes with disabilities as strong competitors and cultural icons. It also highlights assistive technology as a tool for participation and empowerment in sport.
“Through collaborative digital storytelling, influencer-led content, and live on-site activations, the Making Noise campaign doesn’t just raise awareness, it is actively reshaping how disability and sport are understood,” the guide explains.
Organisers said the campaign supports a significant development in the Region 5 Youth Games, the inclusion of both parasport and Special Olympics events in the main sporting schedule, rather than as separate programmes.
“This moment signifies a major milestone in the evolution of the AUSC Region 5 Youth Games, reflecting a commitment to inclusive youth sport, where every athlete, regardless of ability, competes with equal visibility and value,” the organisers said.
