Dr. Karen Smit is an expert and a professional with a disability who has dedicated her life towards advocating for the inclusion of persons with disabilities in Africa. Karen’s experience has shaped the worldview and strengthened social justice, particularly in advancing digital inclusion, so that persons with disabilities can fully enjoy their human rights and access opportunities. For 28 years, she has worked at Vodacom, driving disability inclusion and influencing systemic change.
Samantha is a human rights advocate and survivor of mental health issues who has dedicated the past decade of her life to championing the rights of persons with disabilities. She is a founder of Hope Trust organisation for persons with disabilities, which focuses on access to information, digital rights, and inclusion, as well as inclusive civic engagement and public finance management. Samantha is a trainer in the Freedom of Information Act, selected by the Zimbabwe Media Commission to support government entities and the public in understanding the Act and improving transparency and accessible information practices.
Mohamed Kimbugwe is an International Development Practitioner with over one and a half decades of experience and expertise in human-centred Digital Transformation and Innovation. As a disability, digital rights, and inclusion expert and advocate, Mohamed believes in a world that works for all, including in the digital realm. He believes that digital technologies have the power to surpass traditional barriers and open a world of opportunities for persons with disabilities.
Abdul Busuulwa has over 25 years of working experience in social development, training NGOs, conducting research, engaging in human rights advocacy, and promoting accessible ICTs for persons with disabilities. He is a lecturer at Kyambogo University in the Department of Community and Disability Studies, where I teach several courses, supervise and coordinate research, and train future professionals in Community Development and Social Justice, Community-Based Rehabilitation (CBR), disability studies, and inclusive development. He served as the Executive Director of CBR Africa Network (CAN), a regional organisation dedicated to networking and sharing information on community-based rehabilitation, disability inclusion, and advocacy across the African continent, from 2017 to 2020.
Berhanu Belay Wondimagegne is a teacher, a disability rights advocate, and a community servant with over five decades of experience. He is the Executive Director at TOGETHER, an Ethiopian civil society organisation that works to empower persons with disabilities through access to information, technology, education, and integrated community development measures.