Activists push for inclusive ICT access for people with disabilities
Tsepang T Nare, disability inclusion activist
Activists are urging the government to allocate a budget for Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) that caters to people with disabilities. This call was made during a disability Indaba recently organized by the Southern African Parliamentary Support Trust (SAPST), Signs of Hope Trust (SoH), and Star FM.
Signs of Hope Trust Chairperson Samantha Sibanda emphasized the importance of addressing the digital divide faced by people with disabilities.
“Many people with disabilities don’t have access to ICTs. The disability digital divide is still under-researched,” Sibanda said.
Sibanda noted that Zimbabwe lags behind in allocating funds to disability projects, hindering access to ICTs for people with disabilities. “We were still on the budget debate, and one of the things that was championed was access to ICTs for people with disabilities. This is so that information can reach even those with disabilities,” she explained.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 15% of the global population lives with a disability.
In 2022, the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZIMSTAT) census reported that the national disability prevalence was 1.6%. Ensuring inclusive access to ICTs is crucial for promoting equality and empowering people with disabilities.
Albino Trust of Zimbabwe Director Bruce Nyoni commended the media for covering disability issues but expressed concern about eye health.
“I feel that Zimpapers has effectively been covering issues to do with those who are living with disabilities,” Nyoni said. “As an organization, we are worried about the lack of eye health, exacerbated by smartphone use and the digital economy.”
Nyoni emphasized the need for affordable eye care. “The cost of glasses should be reduced and regulated so that we have affordable glasses,” he said.
In an interview, Disability inclusion activist Tsepang Nare appealed to the government to develop an ICT disability-inclusive policy.
“The government must set aside funding to support people with disabilities seeking to come up with innovative projects that enhance access to technology,” Nare said. “Funding can go towards the procurement of software and application packages compatible with the needs of people with disabilities, making access easier.”
Nare highlighted the challenges faced by people with disabilities in accessing ICTs. “Accessibility to Information Communication Technology is still very low for PWDs in Southern Africa compared to developed countries. Government institutions broadly have not developed and implemented accessibility guidelines, and the issue of data is also a major contributing factor that continues to widen the digital divide,” he shared.
