Assistive technology adoption is rising, but much more needs to be done to continue building an Inclusive Africa
Pascal Bijleveld, CEO of ATscale speaking during a panel discussion on partnership with African governments. Photo credit: ATscale/Tabitha Icuga Topp
The Inclusive Africa Conference 2024, themed "Breaking Barriers, Advancing Digital Accessibility," brought together policymakers, technology leaders, and disability rights advocates to drive progress toward a more inclusive future across Africa.
Held in Nairobi, Kenya, between 14-16 May, the fifth Inclusive Africa Conference hosted by inABLE called for increased investment in digital accessibility for persons with disabilities across the continent. According to the World Health Organization, 80 million people in Africa live with some form of disability. However, digital divides remain a significant challenge, as many lack access to assistive technologies that could enhance their quality of life.
"Our greatest challenge now is addressing inequality amid prosperity and technological advancement to ensure inclusion for all," said Amb. Philip Thigo, Special Envoy on Technology for the Executive Office of the President of Kenya. "We must develop and enforce robust disability rights legislation and assistive technology plans."
High level session on ATscale partnership with African governments
ATscale's work in Africa has been instrumental in expanding access to assistive technology (AT), focusing on affordability and availability through partnerships with governments. ATscale invited government representatives from six African countries, namely the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, Senegal, Tanzania, and Zambia, to speak at a side event entitled, ‘ATscale partnership with African governments’. The session, led by Pascal Bijleveld, ATscale’s CEO, highlighted the transformative journey of improving access to assistive technology in Africa. The government representatives who participated are actively involved in implementing ATscale supported-programmes. They shared their insights, achievements, and future plans, showcasing the transformative impact of AT on people's lives. Through collaborative efforts, they demonstrated how they are fostering stronger and sustainable AT ecosystems to provide individuals with the assistive products and related services they need.
The Inclusive Africa conference also showcased the latest advances in assistive technology, from text-to-speech software to mobility aids, highlighting the role of innovation in fostering inclusion. Keynote speaker, Amb. Philip Thigo emphasized that "Innovation without inclusion is innovation wasted. We must design with everyone in mind."
ATscale's work in the region has been instrumental in advancing these efforts. Through partnerships with local governments and NGOs, ATscale has been facilitating training and capacity building for assistive technology solutions, ensuring that people with disabilities can benefit from the digital revolution.
Presenting initial findings on the transformative potential of smartphones
One year on from the launch of the two-year Smartphone for AT project, ATscale joined forces again with Google and GDI hub in a session to share initial findings. Early insights from interviews show that the participants have experienced reduced reliance on carers and sign-language interpreters and increased agency and independence; increased use of mobile money (MPESA); increased social interaction through WhatsApp; access to information and digital learning through YouTube and other websites; and advocacy through social media, among others.
This project is a true partnership approach - led by UCL's Global Disability Innovation Hub, backed by AT2030, funded by UK Aid, alongside Google, and supported by ATscale, the Global Partnership for Assistive Technology as well as by local partners in each country: Kilimanjaro Blind Trust Africa, Safaricom PLC.
The project places great emphasis on a participatory approach; training individuals with vision, hearing, and other impairments to effectively utilize digital technology as AT.
The digital assistive technology project across India, Brazil, and Kenya marks a significant step towards a more inclusive and accessible world.
Country learning session with ATscale country partners
On the sidelines of the conference, ATscale took the opportunity to convene representatives from countries with programmes we support to share best practices, lessons learned, and innovative approaches taken by the countries to improve access to assistive technology.
The ATscale-led country learning session successfully facilitated knowledge exchange and learning around many topics, including enhancing child learning with the help of digital devices, such as Chromebooks; mobilizing OPDs to generate demand and mobilize resources for AT; the empowering ability of AT and the need to improve provision; the importance of strengthening partnerships and stakeholder engagement; and embracing digital technology in reporting and documentation.
The session sparked a lively exchange of ideas around how to work together more effectively and what support ATscale can offer, such as more advocacy on market shaping, local production, and procurement; communication campaigns; and facilitating support from other key players, such as WHO and UNICEF. All agreed that country visits by ATscale team members are helpful in mobilizing high-level support and ensuring smooth programme implementation.
The discussions and feedback gathered will inform future actions and enhance ATscale’s engagement with countries to support the development of sustainable AT ecosystems.
The Inclusive Africa Conference marks significant progress towards digital accessibility. Connections made and strategic partnerships formed promise to accelerate inclusive technology adoption across the continent. As inABLE Executive Director Irene Mbari Kirika stated, "Together, we can break down barriers and build an Africa that is truly inclusive for everyone."