From 13 - 14 November 2024, the Centre for Human Rights, Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria hosted the 12th Annual Disability Rights in Africa Conference under the theme ‘Disability Rights, information and communication technologies (ICTs) in Africa.’ The conference was held in a hybrid format, with some participants attending in person at Premier Hotel, OR Tambo International Airport and others virtually. The conference aimed to critically examine laws, policies, practices, programmes, and ideologies pertaining to the rights of persons with disabilities in Africa within the context of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) and to promote discussions on innovative solutions aimed at enhancing human rights for persons with disabilities through the use of ICTs. The Conference brought together stakeholders interested in promoting the rights of persons with disabilities through ICT and related technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI).
In his welcoming remarks, Mr Lloyd Kuveya, Assistant Director of the Centre, noted that if properly harnessed, ICT can ensure accessibility of services, promote independent living and foster the economic, social and political inclusion of persons with disabilities. On the first day of the conference, presenters explored the role of ICTs in enhancing the enjoyment of rights and services including political participation, access to justice, education, transport, and other essential services. Concerning political participation and access to justice, presenters highlighted that ICTs and related technologies like AI can be used as both an accessibility and reasonable accommodation measure to ensure that everyone, regardless of disability, can fully participate in election processes and the justice system by enhancing physical and information accessibility as well as removing communication barriers. Furthermore, presenters at the conference emphasised the role of ICTs in the realisation of inclusive education, accessibility of transport and other essential services.
Despite the potential of ICTs to enable the realisation of human rights and fundamental freedoms by persons with disabilities, participants also noted the numerous challenges that need to be overcome. For example, there is a lack of confidence in such technologies, amongst persons with disabilities. The high cost of ICT devices is also prohibitive. A significant barrier is the lack of digital literacy amongst persons with disabilities generally. In some cases, efforts to digitise electoral and justice processes, for example, are not disability inclusive. To address these challenges, the conference noted the need for improved digital literacy amongst persons with disabilities, the need to mainstream disability in ICT development policies, and for the enactment of laws that promote disability-inclusive ICT-based services and provide devices to persons with disabilities for free or at subsidised rates.
Day two of the conference focused on using ICT in the context of contemporary challenges including humanitarian crises and emergencies. Conference speakers also highlighted the need for strategic litigation and effective advocacy strategies to ensure the accessibility of ICTs and to address the existing digital divide. Furthermore, participants underscored the need to protect persons with disabilities from ICT-related challenges such as data privacy risks through the enactment of effective laws to guarantee data privacy protection for persons with disabilities and address other ICT-related risks.
Overall, the conference fostered meaningful discussions and reflections on the role of ICTs in advancing the rights of persons with disabilities in Africa. In her closing remarks, Acting Director of the Centre for Human Rights, Prof Nkatha Murungi, noted that information is a highly valuable currency in the contemporary world, especially for persons with disabilities, as it actualises their empowerment. She stressed that persons with disabilities rely on ICT out of necessity, and achieving their full inclusion through ICT requires a concerted effort amongst all stakeholders.
The conference is an annual flagship initiative of the Centre to foster progressive dialogue on how to enhance the realisation of the rights of persons with disabilities and to contribute to the global discourse on the rights of persons with disabilities from an informed African perspective.
For more information, please contact:
Tel: +27 (0)12 420 6398
dianah.msipa@up.ac.za