Namibia in Special Olympics study

NAMIBIA has been selected as one of four countries in the world by Special Olympics International (SOI) to participate in a research study highlighting the best practices amongst Special Olympics programmes globally.

The other countries are Peru, Uzbekistan and Thailand.Speaking at a media briefing hosted by the Namibia Sports Commission (NSC) yesterday, professor Patrick Devlieger from Belgium, who is conducting the research, said the study will look at how Special Olympics Namibia (SON) has been able to progress, particularly in networking to support people with intellectual disabilities.The research will look at programmes used for Special Olympics, and will further look at the different stakeholders that supported the network around people with intellectual disabilities.Devlieger noted that discussions were already held with Government and a few parents of children with intellectual disabilities.The study will involve interviewing programme staff, volunteers, athletes, families and community partners such as businesses, government officials and other organisations that work with Special Olympics.SON National Director Stay-C Namases said the results of the research will be used to raise more awareness about SON and to get new partners involved.She further stated that the aim of the study is to show individuals and companies that there are inexpensive ways of creating communities of support for families, and to give businesses good value and good public relations by associating with Special Olympics. Other objectives of the study, she said, are to promote volunteerism, to change attitudes and to promote the principles of acceptance and inclusion.The research study will be concluded in Namibia on February 7, and the final report on the research is expected to be available next year. – Nampa