This session, is co-hosted by African Union, ATscale and ILO. The session will try to understand the importance of assistive technology, explore the challenges of access to AT and find cross-sectoral approaches to address these challenges and learn about success stories.
Objectives of the day:
○ Situation in Africa: 10-20% of the African population has a form of disability such as hearing, vision, mobility and learning, a significant proportion of this are children and the youth. Moreover, roughly 60-80% of the disabled working age population are unemployed in Africa, varying across countries and also by gender, rural/urban, etc
○ Status of youth: An estimated 75 million of youth in Africa are with disabilities. Only 5-10% of children with disabilities are enrolled in schools in Africa. Youth with disabilities are more likely to drop out of school & work, leading to a vicious cycle of poverty & dependence.
○ Causes of disabilities: Key causes of disabilities include high burden of non-communicable diseases, neglected tropical diseases, transport-related accidents and workplace hazards. Moreover, data from Sub-Saharan Africa suggests there is a higher prevalence of disabilities among people living in rural areas, women and girls, and the older population.
○ What is AT: Assistive technology - which includes wheelchairs, hearing aids, prostheses, eyeglasses, digital services, etc - is critical to enable people to live healthier, more productive, independent, and more dignified lives and to participate in education, the labour market, and their communities. AT can help unlock the potential of 1 billion people and benefit individuals, families, communities and entire nations. A wide range of systemic and environmental challenges contribute to the lack of access to AT.
○ AT investment case: Promoting access to assistive technology is not only the right thing to do, but also the smart thing to do. For a child in LMICs, access to AT can later make a difference of US$100,000 in lifetime income. A study by ATscale has estimated that every $1 in investment in assistive technology gives $9 return.
○ Emerging success stories in Africa: However, there is good news as well. (i) The African Union has adopted the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Africa in 2018 and has also published the African Union Disabilities Inclusion Guideline in 2020. (ii) Many African governments have taken serious steps to ensure greater inclusivity for persons with disabilities and greater access to AT, some of which are supported by ATscale. (iii) Moreover, there are examples of increasing private sector participation, e.g. local assembly of wheelchairs, more inclusive workplaces, etc.
Speakers include:
Chair: Satish Mishra, Head of Programmes & Markets, ATscale
Dr. Dereje Duguma, State Minister, Federal Ministry of Health, Government of Ethiopia
Dr. James Lalu, Executive Secretary, National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, Nigeria
Shitaye Astawes, Director of Advocacy & Communications, Africa Disabilities Forum, Ethiopia
Lefhoko Kesamang, Senior Social Welfare Officer, African Union Commission