Why Paralympic sport is important for disability rights across African communities

Dr. Jessica Noske-Turner

Senior Lecturer, Institute for Creative Futures (Loughborough University London)

Sheila Mogalo

Project Consultant – Para Sport Against Stigma (Loughborough University London)

Ece Koseoglu

Content Marketing Officer, Loughborough University

Author

Prof. Mufunanji Magalasi

Executive Dean: School of Arts, Communication and Design (University of Malawi)

Jennifer Wong

Project Lead – Para Sport Against Stigma (Loughborough University London)

The sports sector might promote the idea of accessibility for all, but without the necessary support, role models or assistive technologies, full participation remains a long way off. Research conducted at Loughborough University is aiming to change this.

How is disability perceived in African spaces?

In Malawi, social stigma and discrimination are among the major challenges for individuals with disabilities and their families. Loughborough University, the Sports University of the Year* is at the forefront of empowering all communities to pursue their goals.

Its researchers Dr Jessica Noske-Turner (Senior Lecturer at Loughborough University London), Sheila Mogolo (Project Consultant), Jennifer Wong (Project Lead) along with Prof Mufunaji Magalasi from the University of Malawi are working to tackle this perception of ‘disability as inability’ across Malawi and Southern African spaces.

Through the AT2030 Para Sport Against Stigma project, a joint initiative uniting partners to develop, evaluate and enhance new strategies for diminishing disability stigma through Paralympic (Para) sport, they are helping to break societal barriers and promote the widespread adoption of assistive technology (AT). This aims to ensure everybody’s participation in everyday life.

Localising paralympic broadcasting can play a significant role in catalysing social change and advancing disability rights in the Global South.

Why is access a barrier in sports?

“At first, I thought my child had no opportunities, but seeing his disabled colleagues gave me hope. Now I believe he has a bright future, and all I need to do is encourage him.” says a rural Paralympic broadcast viewer from Malawi.

Moses Misoya, a visually impaired Paralympian from Malawi, shone at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, breaking his personal record in the T13 400m, becoming a role model for the country and proving stigma against disability is a barrier that can be overcome.

How to challenge disability stigma

The first phase of the AT2030 Para Sports Against Stigma (PSAS) project — a partnership between Loughborough University London, the University of Malawi and the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) — already made gains by delivering Sub-Saharan Africa’s first free-to-air Paralympic broadcast during Tokyo 2020.

“Localising paralympic broadcasting can play a significant role in catalysing social change and advancing disability rights in the Global South,” insists Jennifer Wong, Project Lead – Global Disability Innovation Hub (GDIH), Loughborough University.

For the Paris Paralympics, #BeyondThisLand was launched to explore the digital landscape and local storytelling along with sustainable and impactful broadcasting practices. Led by the Malawi Paralympic Committee and African Union Sports Council Region 5 (Southern Africa), this new phase of the project amplifies the voices of disabled people through strategic partnerships.

[1] Times/Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025; Daily Mail University Guide 2025