Calls for Digital Inclusion dominate Inclusive Africa Conference

Speaking at the Inclusive Africa Conference 2024 ongoing in Nairobi, he brought attention to a startling statistic: over 96% of websites do not currently have digital accessibility features. 

According to Thigo, this oversight excludes approximately Ksh. 8 trillion in potential global business value that could be realised through digital accessibility initiatives.

Dr. K.I. Laibuta, Judge of the Court of Appeal and Chair of the Board of Directors at inABLE, who spoke at the same event, emphasised the importance of investing in higher education for youth with disabilities.

 Dr. Laibuta emphasised the importance of mobilising resources to overcome the barriers to digital inclusion for people with disabilities.

Meanwhile, Irene Mbari-Kirika, Executive Director of inABLE, highlighted the significant proportion of Africa's population with disabilities, which accounts for 15% of the 1.4 billion inhabitants. 

Ms Kirika believes that investing in these youth is critical to ensuring their future inclusion.

She envisioned a future in which disability inclusion and digital accessibility would be seamlessly integrated into basic service delivery, without the need for special accommodations.

While advocating for equal opportunities, Nominated Senator Crystal Asige emphasised that people with disabilities want fairness, not sympathy.

 Asige stressed on  the importance of more disability inclusion advocates, including political leaders, influencing policy and decision-making processes. 

She urged the media to reshape the narrative surrounding disability stories by creating opportunities for people with different abilities.

Asige spoke at the National Senate about her efforts to advocate for people with disabilities, including embedding and anchoring the ICT KEBS standards, which were launched in 2022.

The Inclusive Africa Conference will feature over 20 digital accessibility and assistive technology innovations. 

Some of these innovations are in the final stages of approval for the European Union market, indicating further progress in accessibility and inclusiveness.