Disability-Inclusion experts have identified ICT as a tool that is helping Persons with Disabilities, PWDs, to break barriers within the society and on the other hand, a tool that is widening accessibility gaps for the same category of people.
The experts spoke during an online session tagged “Closing the Digital Divide for Persons with Disabilities” which was hosted by BONews Service at the Digital Rights and Inclusion Forum organized by Paradigm Initiative.
Speaking during the session, Olusola Owonikoko, the Executive Director of Project Enable Africa shared that ICT is bridging the gap for PWDs but the growth in ICT is widening the accessibility gap for PWDs.
He identified affordability, awareness, ability to use, adaptability, and attitude of different stakeholders as some of the issues denying PWDs full and equal access to the digital space.
Speaking on the role of policy formations to change the narrative in digital access for PWDs, Owonikoko explained that policies are not the overall solutions, adding that, “policies should transform into processes and into programs and products that can serve the needs of PWDs.”
He tasked the private sector to invest in disability inclusion as a way of complementing the government’s efforts.
On his part, Gbenga Ogundare, a media professional and disability rights advocate explained that the digital space is not accessible for PWDs, regardless of the type of disability.
Ogundare believes that there is a need to incorporate disability inclusion into the design stage for PWDs and also provide policy back-ups to ensure that the right thing is done at all times.
Also speaking on the panel, Veronica Uwaje, a disability rights advocate mentioned that there is a need for digital platforms to be designed according to the universal designs to ensure that the needs of all PWDs are met.
While moderating the session, Blessing Oladunjoye, Publisher of BONews Service, highlighted that disability inclusion is a cross-cutting issue that can be incorporated into different spheres of work. She tasked all participants to ensure they comply with the requirements to make their contents digitally accessible for PWDs at all times.