By Wang Yanfang
Intro: The Inclusive Africa Conference, launched in 2020 to promote digital accessibility and assistive technology for persons with disabilities in Africa, marked its fifth edition this year.
The Inclusive Africa Conference marked its fifth edition this year, bringing together over 300 experts, innovators, entrepreneurs and government officials from across Africa to promote digital accessibility and assistive technology for persons with disabilities.
The three-day event, held in Nairobi from May 14-16, focused on the theme “Breaking Barriers: Advancing Digital Accessibility for a Disability Inclusive Future in Africa.”
Participants explored diverse communication strategies for hard-of-hearing individuals in Africa, aiming to nurture understanding and promote inclusive communication across the continent.
They discussed the role of social media in education and empowerment for individuals with disabilities, examining accessibility challenges and successful practices shaping the digital landscape.
The conference sought to uncover how AI can address challenges and create inclusive solutions and opportunities for individuals with disabilities across Africa.
Attendees also explored strategies to ensure universal access, identifying barriers faced by persons with disabilities and how inclusive design can foster equitable interactions.
The conference, first launched in 2020, has established itself as a platform for knowledge exchange on assistive technology in Africa.
While acknowledging great technological advancements, participants emphasized the need for increased efforts to bridge the inequality gap in access, particularly for people with disabilities across the continent.
