How to bridge digital gap for people with disabilities

Arusha. A CSO Week 2024 session on Thursday discussed and proposed ways of bridging the digital gap affecting people with disabilities (PWDs)

A podcast session titled “Tech for All: Bridging the Gap of Digital Inclusion and Innovation for People with Disabilities in Tanzania” gathered experts from various sectors to discuss how technology can be harnessed to support PWDs.

Moderated by Vodacom Foundation manager Sandra Oswald, the session featured key speakers such as Ms Doreen Kissoky, Vice Chairperson of the Africa Accessibility Forum at Vodacom; Mr Rajabu Mpilipili, co-founder of the Youth with Disabilities Organisation; Mr Moses Mereto Mollel, Disability Coordinator at Ngorongoro Legal Aid and Mr Frederick Msigallah, a representative from CBM and CCBRT.

The discussion was focused on identifying the challenges PWDs face in accessing digital platforms and technologies, as well as finding solutions to bridge these gaps.

Ms Kissoky said 3.3 million Tanzanians live with disabilities, many of whom struggle with limited awareness of digital tools and the prohibitive costs of accessing technology.

She added that PWDs are an important part of Vodacom’s customer base and that the company is committed to ensuring they are not left behind.

To that end, Vodacom has introduced several initiatives, including providing sign language interpretation services via video for their deaf customers and offering specialized training to their service providers to better cater to the needs of PWDs.

This conversation is part of a broader global push toward digital inclusion, particularly for marginalized groups.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over 1 billion people worldwide live with some form of disability and many of them lack access to essential digital tools.

As the internet and digital services become increasingly important in everyday life, from accessing healthcare to educational opportunities, it is vital that PWDs are not excluded.

By tailoring services and making technology more accessible, companies like Vodacom are helping to break down barriers.

During the session, Ms Dorice Mkiva spoke passionately about the unique challenges women with disabilities in Tanzania face.

According to Ms Mkiva, disabled women encounter three times more obstacles than their non-disabled counterparts, particularly in areas like business, employment and decision-making.

While she acknowledged the government’s efforts to promote inclusive education and accessible healthcare—such as the provision of adjustable hospital beds for pregnant women with disabilities—she called for more widespread accessibility in public services.

The World Bank has also noted that women with disabilities face "double discrimination" based on both their gender and disability, reinforcing the need for targeted interventions to support them.

For his part, Mr Mpilipili touched on the critical issue of digital literacy for young people with disabilities. Many of these youths are unable to access essential services and miss out on opportunities simply because they lack digital skills.

According to Mr Mpilipili, they have an online tool known as Yodo Connect, which was established to address this gap by providing an online platform where disabled individuals seeking employment can connect with potential employers.

This initiative helps build digital literacy while also offering job opportunities, thus promoting both economic empowerment and digital inclusion.

Mr Msigallah provided a legal perspective, noting that Tanzania ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2009.

However, despite the legal framework in place, many areas still lack fully inclusive services, especially in rural regions where infrastructure remains underdeveloped.

Mr Msigallah urged the government to push for improved accessibility to digital platforms and services in line with Tanzania’s Vision 2050, which aims to provide equal opportunities for all citizens, including PWDs.

The session also reflected the growing momentum across Africa to promote digital inclusion.

According to a 2020 report by the GSMA, only 48 percent of people in Sub-Saharan Africa have access to the internet and the digital divide is even wider for people with disabilities.

Many experts agree that efforts must be intensified to ensure that technology benefits everyone, not just those without physical or cognitive limitations.

The CSO Week podcast session made it clear that while progress is being made, much remains to be done.

The speakers emphasised that a collaborative approach—bringing together the government, civil society and the private sector—will be key to closing the digital divide for people with disabilities.

Technology should not be a barrier but a bridge to inclusion, allowing PWDs to fully participate in and contribute to society.

The push for digital inclusion is not just about providing access to technology, but about creating a world where everyone, regardless of their abilities, can thrive in the digital era.