Organizer

inABLE.org was established in 2009 to address the urgent need to connect blind and low-vision students to the rest of the world by breaking down the barriers to communication, education and employment. The priority was the creation of a computer-assistive-technology program for blind and low-vision youth in Kenya to provide digital skills training to the disadvantaged youth.

InABLE's Impact

8

Computer
Technology

Established eight (8) assistive
computer technology labs in
six (6) special schools for the
blind.

14,500

Visually impaired
Students & teachers

Enrolled over 14,500 blind and
visually impaired students and
teachers

150

Assistive
Technology

Hired 150 assistive
technology computer
instructors.

44,000

Assistive technology
Training Hours

Provided more than 43,000
hours of assistive
technology computer skills
training

Computer Labs for
the Blind Program

currently in partnership with
schools for the blind in Siaya,
Thika, Meru and Mombasa
counties

Digital Accessibility
Awareness

(Inclusive Africa Conference
and Advocacy)
Facilitated first-ever ICT
Accessibility Standard in Africa

Digital Accessibility
Research and
Development

Inclusive Libraries

Our Reading Spaces
Library

Relevance

Covid 19 impact on PwD

The failure to provide accessible products and services in education, employment, financial services and other sectors is a global issue. During the COVID-19 pandemic, people were asked to stay home and go online to access vital public health information, work-from-home, and remote education. This magnified the inequalities and alienation that prevent Inclusion and protection of PWDs. For many of the estimated 300 million Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Africa, digital services and products are just not usable. They were never designed with their diverse needs in mind. Today, more than any other time, digital accessibility urgently needs to be addressed, which is why inABLE organizes the Annual Inclusive Africa Conference in the first place.

UNCRPD
(UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with disabilities)

The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with disabilities addresses accessibility in its resolution adopted by the General Assembly in 1993 by recognizing “the importance of accessibility to the physical,social, economic and cultural environment, to health and education and to information and communication, in enabling persons with disabilities to fully enjoy all human rights and fundamental freedoms.”

SDG

Goal 10 of the SDGs aims to ensure equal opportunity and reduced inequalities for all by 2030, to empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.

During this Post- Covid period, how do we take advantage of the lesson learned in the last three years to ensure that no one is left behind?

Impact

Since the first Inclusive Africa Conference in 2020, the purpose of this annual event is to promote the advancement of digital accessibility and assistive technology for persons with disabilities in Africa. Over the last three years this event has created a platform for disability and accessibility experts, people with lived experiences, policy makers, researchers, innovators, entrepreneurs, businesses, governments and others to share knowledge and created awareness across Africa about the importance of leaving no one behind. The discussions include employment, education innovations and more. The event has also received global attention through sponsorships and partnerships with global tech leaders,influential keynote speakers, and disability leaders throughout Africa.

Objectives

Since the first Inclusive Africa Conference in 2020, the purpose of this annual event is to promote the advancement of digital accessibility and assistive technology for persons with disabilities in Africa. Over the last three years this event has created a platform for disability and assistive technology for persons with disabilities in Africa. Over the last three years this event has created a platform for disability

01

Ensure that African youth with disabilities are at the centre of digital accessibility conversations. By provide a forum for disability rights and support groups across Africa to bring PWDs to the centre of inclusive design and digital accessibility.

02

Share regional and global best practices in implementing accessibility standards and policies and influence delegates to become accessibility ambassadors and lead the development of: Accessible ICT policies, solutions, and products anchored under the universal/inclusive design guidelines so that PWDs can participate in and benefit from the digital economy.

03

Focus attention on the best way forward for implementing accessibility of digital products and services in Africa and increase public awareness for the needs and rights of PWDs to access digital information.

04

Highlight assistive technology innovations in Africa and create a platform to share knowledge and expertise on product design and go to market, mentorship and funding opportunities. Award the annual Inclusive Africa Innovations winner.

05

Demonstrate inclusive events’ "best-practices", including attendees with lived experience, interpreters, and captioners.