Addressing Disability in Digital Tech Response to COVID-19

On one hand, the increased use of technology exacerbates long-standing problems and disadvantages for people with disabilities. But on the other hand, digital innovation holds enormous promise for helping them to better cope with, and perhaps even thrive during the pandemic.

This webinar, part of a monthly ICT4D webinar series, is for program managers or digital solution designers who work at development, humanitarian, or tech organizations, and are learning from accessibility and inclusion experts about how technology can support accessibility and disability inclusion.

Short presentations on:

1. What accessible ICT means for people with disabilities in Africa? Hear insights from Project Enable Africa, an initiative that promotes digital inclusion in Nigeria. www.projectenableafrica.org
2. Digital innovations to support children with disabilities, especially during physical distancing and remote programming. Learn good practice from using assistive technology for creating, including learning environments, like the Orbit Reader 20: https://en.unesco.org/news/inclusive-education-stories-field
3. Leveraging the potential of mobile technology for people with disabilities.

Followed by panel discussion:

• How to create awareness? What could our sector, organizations or individuals do better?
• How has the pandemic changed your work? What are your lessons learned from last year?
• Where do you see the most potential for emerging technology to support people with disabilities and help bridging the gap? What is the potential of AI and virtual reality? What does the future hold for digital accessibility?

Speakers

	Clara Aranda-Jan, PhD, Insights Manager, Mobile for Development, GSMA
	Everlyne Mtange, Project Coordinator, Strengthening Curriculum Access and Assistive Technologies, Leonard Cheshire
	Olusola Owonikoko, Project Director, Project Enable Africa, Executive Director, Stanforte Edge
	Pauline Okach, Teacher, Nyasare Primary School (Migori County, Kenya)

Moderator

Sonja Ruetzel, ICT4D Partnerships and Conference Manager, Catholic Relief Services

Register here.