Promoting Effective and Inclusive ICT Policy in Africa

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  HomeCollaboration on International ICT Policy for East and Southern Africa (CIPESA)  /  Blog
29Dec

Dr. Rehema Baguma

Author CIPESA Posted on

Who is Dr. Rehema Baguma?

I am Rehema Baguma, currently working at Makerere University in Uganda, where I serve as an Associate Professor of Information Systems. My research interests include: Digital Inclusion, Data & AI Governance, EduTech & eGovernance. I have extensively researched and consulted in Uganda and neighbouring countries to make ICTs accessible to persons with Disabilities, among other areas. I have had the privilege of engaging in a series of industry initiatives in collaboration with government agencies, CSOs, international actors and DPOs. Notable among these include:

  • Development of ICT Accessibility and Disability Indicators-A framework for monitoring Obligatory National Implementation of ICT Accessibility for the Fulfilment of the Human Rights of Persons with Disabilities for the ICT Policy Centre for Eastern and Southern Africa (CIPESA), in 2018.
  • Leading a research study on the Audit of Inclusive ICTs for Education in Uganda, which established the extend to which ICTs used in education are accessible to Persons with Disabilities (May to September 2015).
  • Training of over 100 Government Web Administrators and Public Relations Officers (PROs) in Uganda in Web Accessibility in 2016.
  • Development of an Implementation Strategy of the Digital Talent Policy (DTP) for Persons with Disabilities in Rwanda (June 2017–January 2018).
  • Sensitisation and training of Policy Makers from Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies about ICTs used by Persons with Disabilities and Monitoring ICTs and Disability Policy in Uganda, in April 2018.
  • Member of the project on promoting the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Access to inclusive education and information in Uganda in partnership with UNESCO, UNICEF & National Union of Disabled Persons in Uganda (NUDIPU) between 2015 to 2017.
  • Contributor to the ICT for Inclusive Education policy for Uganda (draft)
  • Contributor to the National ICT for Disability policy for Uganda (draft)

My motivation came during my PhD research, which focused on Web accessibility through the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines. I was led to the area by a senior staff member at my School at the time, who told me that ICT accessibility could be a good area to research. My PhD research was on “Making the Web accessible to Persons with Disabilities through the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines” which demonstrated that the guidance given in WCAG (the most comprehensive and widely used set of Web accessibility guidelines developed by W3C) is relevant to the Web accessibility problems faced by people with disabilities; that WCAG has a higher potential to influence the development of accessible Web based systems save for its usability limitations; and proposed a solution to the usability limitations of WCAG grounded in a broader mature field of information retrieval. After completing my PhD, I felt compelled to apply the results of my research in practice, which led to several collaborations and assignments within Uganda and abroad.

There is an increasing awareness and appreciation of the need for and possibilities of digital rights, as well as the inclusion of people with disabilities, through advocacy, training, development, and the implementation of digital rights/inclusive ICT policies. This also includes the development of more inclusive technologies and platforms. For example, in June 2025, the government of Kenya committed to making all its digitised public services accessible to persons with disabilities, in alignment with the Accessibility Standard for Digital Products.  Additionally, there is an increasing number of advocacy initiatives focused on digital inclusion for people with disabilities. For instance, the Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) has evolved into an advocacy platform for inclusive policy audits, innovation labs for assistive technologies, and training programs to build capacity for disability rights advocacy and technology development.

There is an increase in the development of AI-driven Assistive Technologies and Tools for persons with disabilities, including those customised for the African context. For example, Signvrse, a Kenyan startup, is developing AI-powered sign language translation toolsthat convert speech and text into visual representations of sign language. Additionally,there are several advocacy and capacity-building efforts in different parts of Africa, such as accessibility audits, innovation labs, and fellowship programs to support affordable, local assistive technologies, and train Activists to advance digital inclusion for Persons with Disabilities.

The key threats and challenges to the digital rights and inclusion of people with disabilities in Africa are gaps in policy implementation and enforcement, the high cost and inaccessibility of assistive technologies, and general infrastructure gaps. Most African countries have progressive laws and policies regarding disability and ICT access; however, these often remain on paper due to a lack of political will and weak enforcement mechanisms. For instance, a legal requirement for all TV stations to provide sign language interpretation is often ignored. Also, government websites and e-services, which are increasingly vital for accessing public services, are frequently not designed to be accessible to people with disabilities (e.g., lacking alt text for screen readers or video captions). Further, essential assistive devices and software (like screen readers, Braille displays, and speech input software) are often expensive and out of reach for most people with disabilities who are, on average, poorer than their mainstream counterparts.

Additionally, unreliable electricity, poor internet connectivity, and the high cost of mobile data in many rural and remote areas create fundamental barriers to access for disadvantaged groups like People with Disabilities. Additionally, AI systems, including those used in screening for admission to educational institutions and job recruitment, may amplify existing discrimination and perpetuate negative stereotypes if not designed with accessibility and inclusion in mind. Moreso, the continent-wide limited availability of reliable and disaggregated data on the challenges faced by different disability groups continues to negatively impact the design and implementation of targeted interventions and policies. 

Building trust, fostering strong partnerships, and promoting regional collaboration in Africa’s disability rights movement requires intentional structures, shared power, and sustained dialogue among governments and various stakeholders.  There is a need for a shared rights-based framework grounded in the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and African human rights instruments. People with disabilities and their representative organisations must be decision-makers, not just consultees, in line with the principle of “Nothing About Us Without Us”.  Also, tracking commitments and progress should be spearheaded by independent monitoring mechanisms led by Disabled Persons’ Organisations (DPOs). Furthermore, there is a need to establish permanent regional or sub-regional forums on disability rights and digital inclusion, rather than holding one-off events. These can be organised into thematic working groups (e.g., digital accessibility, education, employment, media, assistive technology, AI, etc.). Examples of good practice include national and regional Internet Governance Forums (IGFs) that feature disability-focused tracks, as well as the AU- or REC-hosted Disability and Digital Inclusion Roundtables, which have rotating leadership. Additionally, there is a need to utilise regional standards to align efforts and reduce fragmentation, thereby facilitating easier collaboration across borders. Furthermore, there is a need to invest in capacity building across all sectors on accessibility, disability budgeting, and inclusive policy design for governments; disability-inclusive and non-stigmatising reporting for journalists; universal design and accessibility testing for the tech development community; and policy, research, and digital skills for DPOs.

There is a need to implement community-led digital literacy, design accessible & affordable technology, create inclusive policies, foster multi-stakeholder partnerships (including NGOs, tech companies, and government), and collect disaggregated data to tailor programs to their specific needs. Additionally, it is important to involve these groups in decision-making to foster trust and develop solutions that address the unique barriers of cost, accessibility, and safety concerns. 

There is a need to promote research and innovation in ICT and disability/ICT accessibility for persons with disabilities, which can inform local policy, practice (including the development of interventions), and technology development for persons with disabilities. To date, most efforts have focused on advocacy, policy development, capacity building, and, to some extent, the development of assistive technologies. Grounding these initiatives in research can lead to more effective policies, practices and local assistive technologies.

29Dec

Dr. Karen Smit

Author CIPESA Posted on

Who is Dr. Karen Smit?

I am a mother, wife, sister, expert, and a professional with a disability who has dedicated my life to advocating for the inclusion of persons with disabilities in Africa. My lived experience has shaped my worldview and strengthened my commitment to social justice, particularly in advancing digital inclusion, so that persons with disabilities can fully enjoy their human rights and access opportunities. For 28 years, I have worked at Vodacom, driving disability inclusion and influencing systemic change.

I have been married to my wonderful husband for 31 years, and being a mom reminds me every day that miracles do happen.

My journey as a disability and digital rights advocate began shortly after completing my undergraduate studies in the 1990s, when I realised the power of using my voice to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. I completed my MA in Social Work at the University of Stellenbosch, where I identified barriers to employment for individuals with disabilities and provided guidelines for line managers on the successful recruitment of candidates with disabilities.

The turning point came when I experienced the enabling role of technology firsthand. Becoming a user of accessible technology revealed its power to open doors, level the playing field, and create opportunities. This realisation fueled my passion to drive accessibility and digital inclusion across Africa. My vision is clear: I want all Africans with disabilities to fully participate in the digital society and economy – accessing opportunities, resources, and becoming active citizens who contribute to economic empowerment.

Over the past 28 years at Vodacom [in South Africa], my advocacy has deepened significantly as I pushed for inclusive innovations. The company’s senior leadership created a platform that empowered me to champion inclusion for employees and consumers with disabilities. The unwavering support of Vodacom’s Group CEO and senior leaders has been transformative – shifting the focus from a “tick-box” approach to embedding inclusion systemically into the company’s technology, products, services, and processes, in alignment with Vodacom’s Purpose Strategy.

Having worked for Vodacom for many years and being responsible for driving the accessibility agenda for consumers with disabilities sparked my interest in pursuing a PhD in disability studies, with a focus on developing a Framework for promoting the digital inclusion of disabled consumers that companies can implement.

There has been some progress in expanding digital rights and inclusion for persons with disabilities in Africa, but it remains limited. In many ways, we are still only scratching the surface. I am, however, encouraged that some countries are taking active steps to promote disability inclusion, which is a positive sign. Most African nations have disability legislation and regulations in place, which is commendable.

However, the real challenge lies in implementation and creating real impact. Progress is slow, and without effective enforcement and commitment, transformation stalls, leaving behind many persons with disabilities.

Vodacom markets have several disability inclusion initiatives, including creating inclusive workplaces, accessible contact (customer service) centres, and retail stores offering multiple communication channels for persons with various disabilities. Additionally, digital centres provide smartphones and digital skills training to organisations for persons with disabilities.

The company also provides text Emergency Services for Deaf, hard-of-hearing, and persons with speech disabilities, accessible apps such as M-Pesa and VodaPay for visually impaired users, [it] hosts the annual Africa Accessibility conference, and offers tailor-made packages for disabled contract users, as well as training for store consultants.

Furthermore, the African Union (AU) Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Africa recently came into effect to protect and promote the rights of persons with disabilities across Africa. In 2025, Kenya enacted a progressive Persons with Disabilities Act, 2025 (Act No. 4 of 2025), marking a major milestone in disability inclusion and rights protection.

Research indicates that there are several barriers that persons with disabilities face, such as affordability, a lack of digital skills, and limited access to devices. Women with disabilities and those in rural areas face compounded barriers due to cultural norms, infrastructure gaps, and affordability challenges.

Meanwhile, with the emergence of new technologies, intentional efforts must be made to ensure that Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems are not trained on biased datasets that fail to represent persons with disabilities. Innovators must prioritise accessibility when designing solutions for smart cities, environmental sustainability, safety, security, and tourism.

To stay ahead, we must involve the disability community at every stage – from the conceptualisation of innovations to implementation – ensuring their voices shape innovation. This transforms persons with disabilities from passive beneficiaries into active partners and co-creators of solutions for a barrier-free Africa.

To build trust, foster partnerships, and strengthen regional collaboration among African stakeholders in the disability rights movement, it is essential to create a unified ecosystem that drives systemic change. These actors must recognise that disability is a natural part of the human experience and that exclusion stems from societal barriers, not just individual limitations. When these barriers are removed, persons with disabilities can fully exercise their rights and participate equally in all aspects of life.

Efforts to promote digital rights and inclusion in Africa must intentionally address how disability intersects with other marginalised identities – such as women, youth, and older persons – so that no one is left behind. Women with disabilities represent more than half of all persons with disabilities worldwide, and yet they continue to face numerous barriers, including being less likely to hold leadership roles, to be employed, to use the internet, and to experience barriers to sexual and reproductive healthcare. Their voices and specific needs must be prioritised and integrated into every stage of innovation and policy development to ensure an inclusive society for all.

29Dec

Samantha Sibanda

Author CIPESA Posted on

Who is Samantha Sibanda?

I am 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. In 2014, I founded the Signs of Hope Trust, an 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.

I am also 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. My advocacy work is grounded in the principles of Ubuntu, which utilise community-driven and collaborative approaches to achieve change.

My motivation to work on disability and digital rights stems from a combination of personal experience and what I’ve observed in my own community. As a survivor of mental health challenges, I was drawn into advocacy through my own journey, and I continue to support community-based rehabilitation and mental health champions in my work.

As for digital rights, it grew naturally from my work at Signs of Hope Trust. For many years, we shared information via WhatsApp and other platforms to bridge information gaps for persons with disabilities. However, at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, between 2020 and 2021, the disability digital divide became more apparent. Everything shifted to online, including education, communication, and public services, and many individuals with disabilities were left behind due to inaccessible technologies, limited data, or a lack of access to devices.

That moment pushed me to focus intentionally on digital inclusion. We also added Digital Rights as a core programming area at Signs of Hope Trust, and I have continued to champion this work from the grassroots level, where our communities are most affected.

There have been tremendous efforts to expand digital rights and inclusion for persons with disabilities in Africa. The digital divide related to disabilities has become a key topic at most digital rights convenings that I have been privileged to attend. Regionally, the AfricanUnion (AU) Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Africa came into force in May 2024, reinforcing the legal basis for accessible ICT [Information and Communications Technology], barrier-free access to communication systems, and the right to information.

Alongside this, more organisations are adopting accessibility standards, governments are integrating disability inclusion into national digital strategies, and communities are increasingly vocal about the need for accessible online services. While gaps remain, the momentum is good, and the conversation is shifting from awareness to implementation.

I want to commend CIPESA for developing the Disability& ICT Accessibility Framework Indicators. I have personally used these in our research in Zimbabwe, and I have seen more studies that have used them.  This is a crucial tool for data-driven advocacy and enhancing access to ICT for persons with disabilities.

Additionally, Universal Service Funds are increasingly being used to finance assistive technologies and expand connectivity, while community-based efforts, such as community networks supported by the Internet Society, are bringing internet access to remote areas. In Zimbabwe, there are community information centres which provide shared devices, internet connectivity, and training spaces for persons with disabilities who may not have individual access. Lastly, emerging satellite internet solutions, such as Starlink, are bringing reliable internet access to remote areas.

These innovations, when combined with accessible design, digital literacy programmes, and advocacy for inclusive policy, are creating practical pathways for persons with disabilities to participate fully in the digital world.

There are several pressing challenges that threaten digital rights and inclusion for persons with disabilities in Africa. One emerging concern is the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools, such as generative AI chatbots and image generators, which can reproduce harmful biases and create misinformation that is difficult to fact-check. This disproportionately affects persons with disabilities, who often lack access to digital literacy and critical information verification skills. Information disorders, including deepfakes and manipulated content, further exacerbate these risks.

Ableism remains another persistent barrier, carried into online spaces and contributing to self-censorship or exclusion of persons with disabilities from digital participation. It also shapes whose voices are considered in policymaking, often leaving persons with disabilities sidelined in laws and digital governance.

I often reference the seven pillars of inclusion, and when contextualised to digital rights, several stand out. First, inclusive policy frameworks must provide tangible ways to embed the needs of these groups into national and regional digital strategies and practices. Communication should be accessible, transparent, timely, multilingual, and adaptable to diverse abilities, ensuring that information reaches everyone.

Offering choice in how people engage digitally allows communities to use tools and platforms that best suit their needs. Building strong partnerships across government, civil society, industry, and community networks amplifies impact and accountability. Accessibility must be prioritised in both digital content and devices, ensuring that platforms are usable by all. Web accessibility guidelines should be applied when developing websites to ensure they are accessible to all users.

Mohamed Kimbugwe
29Dec

Mohamed Kimbugwe 

Author CIPESA Posted on

Who is Mohamed Kimbugwe?

My name is Mohamed Kimbugwe, 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, I believe in a world that works for all, including in the digital realm. I believe that digital technologies have the power to surpass traditional barriers and open a world of opportunities for persons with disabilities. Living with a hearing disability myself, I know more than anyone else the power of accessible technologies and how much they offer from education to work, communication, and all spheres of human endeavour. I also know how limiting it can be if digital technologies are not designed either to accommodate disability or accelerate the inclusion of persons with disabilities.

It all started with the onset of my hearing loss around 2007. That’s when it dawned on me that unless workplaces were inclusive, my work life and career growth would be an uphill task. Communication, as I knew it, became limited, and I was growing increasingly isolated from social activities. Around the same time, social media and digital messaging platforms were taking root. I was captivated by the opportunities they all offered. Being able to stay in touch with friends, build my own network, and even pursue remote employment opportunities online.

However, it quickly dawned on me that it wasn’t all glitter. I started bumping into videos without captions. I realised then that while digital spaces were opening immense opportunities, they had their limitations, and we had to work deliberately towards removing barriers and making digital spaces fully accessible. 

There has been significant progress over the years. The digital rights and inclusion movement has gained momentum, and there’s increased awareness. It is not uncommon to find accessibility as a core aspect of continental, regional, and national digital transformation policies, frameworks, and strategies. Digital Accessibility conversations are now an integral part of continental forums such as the Forum on Internet Freedom in Africa. 

Countries like Kenya, South Africa, and Rwanda have strengthened their commitment to disability-inclusive technology policies, promoting accessible digital services, inclusive design, and equal access to public digital platforms. At the continental level, frameworks such as the Protocol to the African Charter on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and Agenda 2063 have reinforced these commitments. Alongside policy, the availability and use of assistive digital tools (screen readers, sign-language translation apps, hearing-assist technologies, e-learning accessibility features, and AI-powered communication support) have grown, with local innovators developing low-cost solutions tailored to African contexts.

Accessible e-government services are also expanding in countries like Rwanda, Namibia, Egypt, Mauritius, and South Africa, incorporating voice navigation, multilingual options, simplified interfaces, and accessible application systems for social services, education, and healthcare. National digital skills programs and innovation hubs are increasingly supporting young persons with disabilities, with initiatives from the Australian Government, GIZ, UNICEF, UNESCO, Microsoft, and local organisations enhancing training in coding, digital entrepreneurship, and online freelancing. Disabled People’s Organisations (DPOs) are gaining influence in digital policy, data protection, and AI governance, while inclusive tech communities are growing across Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda, South Africa, and Ghana. Public and private institutions are beginning to adopt global accessibility standards, such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), signalling a rising awareness and momentum for truly inclusive digital spaces.

Progress in digital inclusion in Africa remains limited, with connectivity expensive, interventions scattered, and stakeholders often working in silos, which restricts scaling and impact. Both public and private sector funding is minimal, enforcement of accessibility and inclusion policies is weak, the skills gap is widening, and interoperability between accessible platforms and widely used systems remains a challenge.

The cost of connectivity and assistive technologies, including data prices, smartphones, and devices, remains high, making them largely unaffordable for many. To address this, we must prioritise subsidised data bundles, tax exemptions for assistive technologies, zero-rating disability-related content, and supporting the local production of affordable assistive devices.

Emerging technologies are evolving faster than inclusion efforts. AI systems, digital IDs, e-learning tools, and mobile apps are often developed without considering accessibility, which can lead to algorithmic bias and exclusion. It is therefore crucial to entrench accessibility-by-design in all public digital services and extend disability inclusion from national AI and emerging tech policies into practice.

The scarcity of context-specific and inclusive data for AI systems threatens to deepen exclusion, making it essential to develop African disability-inclusive datasets and ensure representation of persons with disabilities in testing, training, and regulation.

Digital safety threats, online harassment, and cybercrime disproportionately affect persons with disabilities, especially women, yet digital safety tools are often inaccessible. Integrating accessible digital safety education into skills programs and ensuring platforms adopt WCAG-compliant safety features, such as accessible reporting tools, audio guidance, and captioning, is critical to protecting and empowering marginalised users in digital spaces.

Building trust and strengthening collaboration in Africa’s disability rights movement requires intentional structures, shared accountability, and clear mechanisms for co-creation across governments, intergovernmental bodies, civil society, industry, media, and academia.

Trust is earned not through statements but through consistent, transparent, and inclusive action. To achieve this, it is crucial to establish inclusive and permanent multi-stakeholder platforms that move beyond short-term, project-based collaborations to sustainable partnerships with formal structures and established processes. Equally important is building and sharing a common evidence base: harmonised data standards, a continental digital inclusion observatory, and unified research agendas ensure that decisions are informed by shared facts, strengthening credibility and trust.

Promoting genuine co-creation rather than tokenistic participation is essential, ensuring that persons with disabilities are involved throughout the design lifecycle of policies, technologies, and services, not just at the end. Strengthening accountability and transparency is also crucial, as trust erodes when commitments are not met.

This can be achieved through annual digital accessibility scorecards for governments and service providers, publishing commitments and progress as open data, and including independent monitoring mechanisms led by coalitions of Disabled Persons’ Organisations, human rights bodies, and academic institutions. Together, these pathways create a collaborative, credible, and sustainable approach to advancing disability rights and digital inclusion across Africa.

To ensure that persons with disabilities and other marginalised groups, such as women, youth, and older persons, are included in digital rights and inclusion efforts in Africa, we must adopt a holistic, rights-based approach.

This includes creating and enforcing inclusive laws and policies, designing accessible technologies and platforms, and promoting affordable assistive tools. Targeted digital literacy programs, community hubs, and mentorship initiatives can build skills and confidence, while awareness campaigns and success stories help shift social norms. Affordable internet, devices, and support for digital entrepreneurship remove economic barriers, and disaggregated data, inclusive governance, and cross-sector collaboration ensure accountability and sustained impact. Inclusion is achieved when policy, technology, education, and advocacy work together to remove barriers and empower all members of society.

Abdul Busuulwa
29Dec

 Dr. Abdul Busuulwa

Author CIPESA Posted on

Who is Dr. Abdul Busuulwa?

I am a Ugandan male with a visual impairment. I come from a humble family where resources were severely limited. Nevertheless, I managed to jump all the hurdles of growing up, and now I have a wife and four children.

With over 25 years of working experience, my career has been shaped around social development, training NGOs, conducting research, engaging in human rights advocacy, and promoting accessible ICTs for persons with disabilities. My career started with a short stint in journalism (freelance reporting) in the late 1990s. I transitioned to disability inclusion and capacity building, holding two positions at the Uganda National Association of the Blind (UNAB) and the National Union of Disabled Persons of Uganda (NUDIPU) between 2000 and 2008. Currently, I am 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. Before my current role, I 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.

My motivation to become a disability, digital rights, and inclusion advocate in Africa stemmed from the challenges of accessing written information. As a Braille user from primary to tertiary education, I always got limited support in reading printed materials, although resilience and determination enabled me to succeed academically. Very often, I was unable to do class assignments satisfactorily just because of not reading as widely as my educational contemporaries who were endowed with sight. Even when I tried, sighted readers were often less than willing to provide me with adequate support.

The realisation that others were also struggling with the same challenge motivated me to take a six-week certificate course in computer literacy for the blind in 2001, after which I sought to train many of my kind in the use of computers and the Internet so they could easily obtain as much information in digital form as they wished. On a personal note, starting to access documents in soft copy was the real game-changer in my pursuit of a Master’s in Management Studies at Uganda Management Institute and a PhD in Accessible ICTs for People with Visual Disabilities from the University of Twente in the Netherlands. As I mentioned earlier, I struggled with large volumes of notes in Braille notes while pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication from Makerere University and a Postgraduate Diploma in Community-Based Rehabilitation from the Institute of Teacher Education, Kyambogo (now part of Kyambogo University). This was no longer the case after accessing online repositories of articles and so on!

When the government enacted the Access to Information Act of 2005, I ensured that I participated in the process. I submitted my views on access to information for persons with disabilities to the parliamentary committee that was collecting public views.

Two developments have been crucial in the progress toward expanding digital rights and including persons with disabilities in Africa. First was the adoption of the MarrakeshTreaty in 2013, an international agreement on the rights of persons who are blind, have low vision, or have a print disability to access published works. The second was the enactment of the Protocolto the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2018 by the African Union Assembly, which has several articles (especially Article 2 and Article 19) that recognise digital rights for persons with disabilities in Africa.

One initiative I would like to mention is the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This initiative addresses at least five Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that have direct and/or implicit references to disability inclusion. Furthermore, many African countries have signed and ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), a commendable step towards the realisation and protection of various rights of persons with disabilities. Articles 9 and 21 are specifically related to digital rights; however, Articles 2, 5, 26, and 32 are also highly relevant in this context.

The ever-changing technology landscape is a direct threat to the realisation of digital rights and disability inclusion in Africa. It is worth noting that Africa is not a major manufacturer of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) products, such as computers, smartphones, and other Internet accessories; therefore, enabling their accessibility for persons with disabilities will always remain a retrospective rather than a proactive approach.

Additionally, the two other major challenges to digital rights for persons with disabilities include the high cost of obtaining Assistive Technology (such as screen readers, screen magnifiers, captioning software, alternative keyboards, and automatic speech-to-text translation software) and the emergence of Artificial Intelligence. Very often, persons with disabilities are unemployed and therefore lack the means to procure expensive Assistive Technology they need for effective use of mainstream ICTs. On the side of Artificial Intelligence, although this may increase the precision of Assistive Technology in task completion, some systems where this is embedded may run the risk of perpetuating and replicating discrimination that persons with disabilities are already experiencing in education, employment, and healthcare. For example, Artificial Intelligence (AI) models that cannot take into account the slowness associated with some disabilities in the completion of an input task may fail a person with that disability to ever fill an online form fully and correctly; hence putting them at a disadvantage when trying to apply for a job, medical insurance, or anything else important in their life.

We can build trust, promote partnerships, and enhance regional collaboration among different African stakeholders in the disability rights movement (including governments, inter-governmental bodies, civil society, industry, media, and academia) by simply creating awareness about disability and persons with disabilities. There are several myths and misconceptions about disability and persons with disabilities that require deconstructing and dispelling. For example, some people still believe that disability is a burden to society; hence, persons with disabilities should be isolated and made to live in their own designated parts and should allow the community to get on without them. While others think that persons with disabilities are less intelligent, less able, or less competent in their work. You cannot, therefore, expect such individuals to give jobs to qualified persons with disabilities, either in the public or private sectors of the economy. Many others believe that disability is contagious. These kinds of myths and attitudes hinder disability inclusion efforts, and they have had far-reaching consequences for the realisation of disability rights in Africa. Negative attitudes have always stood in the way of the financial contributions that African governments can make towards dismantling barriers to disability inclusion, such as the provision of Reasonable Accommodations and ensuring accessibility in public transport, education, information, and the physical environment for all, including persons with disabilities.

Disability is a cross-cutting issue. Therefore, the only way to ensure that persons with disabilities and other marginalised communities (women, youth, and older persons) are included in efforts to promote digital rights and inclusion in Africa is to take deliberate efforts to include persons with disabilities in the structures, systems, and processes of other marginalised communities. That way, all efforts to promote digital rights will automatically include issues related to disability. As an academic, I would like to humbly appeal to academic institutions to introduce disability studies course units across all their educational programs to raise awareness about disabilities.

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