The Inclusive Africa Conference 2020, which was supposed to take place in Nairobi, Kenya from March 29 to April 1, has been rescheduled for November 9-10. [Note: Because of the pandemic, this event was rescheduled as a virtual event on October 8-9, 2020.]

It is Africa’s first conference of its kind, bringing together tech titans from around the world to put digital inclusion firmly on the African agenda.

So, why now, and who is responsible?

Why now?

The African region has experienced a technological boom in recent years, with the use of mobile smartphones in particular opening up new opportunities for healthcare, education, and financial services. However, little thought has been given to how these technological advancements could be adapted for people living with disabilities in the region.

More and more in the West, we are seeing innovative new technological solutions that break down barriers for disabled people, allowing them to do things for themselves that seemed impossible previously.

However, for many African countries, the conversation about digital inclusion is just getting started. As a result, many PWDs miss out on being their best selves and contributing fully to their community and lives.

The Inclusive Africa Conference aims to start this conversation by bringing together the best in the business to share best practices, ideas, and challenges that we face right here in Africa. Putting digital inclusion at the forefront of all business and technological developments from the start.

Who is behind it?

The conference is organized by inABLE, a non-profit organization based in Kenya that works to bring computer assistive technology to disabled students throughout Africa. They also advocate on behalf of disabled youth for an educational policy that recognizes the importance of adequate support and resources. inABLE envisions a world in which people with disabilities have equal access to educational, technological, and employment opportunities as those without disabilities. A world in which children who are blind or have low vision do not end up on the streets, but instead contribute to culture and society.

Irene Mbari-Kirika founded inABLE in 2009 after meeting a group of bright, and determined blind students at the Kenya National Library during a reading day. She has facilitated and developed the organization’s accessibility of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) strategy as the executive director of inABLE. She has also led and facilitated discussions on best practices in the accessibility space and international nonprofit operations.

Irene founded the Inclusive African Conference after establishing herself as a dynamic, global strategic leader and executive-level innovator. She was awarded the Order of the Grand Warrior of Kenya (OGW) in 2016 and has been nominated for the 2020 National Diversity and Inclusion Awards & Recognition in the award category I7: Diversity and Digital Inclusion Champion Awards.

What can we expect?

The conference will begin with a day of must-see cultural experiences for delegates, including visits to the country’s first National Park, an Elephant Sanctuary, and Bomas of Kenya. Before the 48-hour Hackathon begins, participants are invited to visit the inABLE Assistive Technology Labs at Thika Primary School for the Blind.

The main conference sessions will be held on November 9-10, and will feature a showcase of cutting-edge inclusive technology as well as high-level policy debates and inspirational speakers.

The main conference sessions will be held on November 9-10, and will feature a showcase of cutting-edge inclusive technology as well as high-level policy debates and inspirational speakers.

Other speakers include representatives from Facebook, Google, the Mastercard Foundation, and Uber, among many others from around the world. Big topics around digital inclusion will be explored over the course of two days, including: The African Perspective, Mobile Technology, Inclusive Design, Accessible ICT policies and AI, Disability and Accessibility. In addition to a specialist workshop program, networking, social opportunities, and a local inclusive innovation award.

How can I get involved?

Attend the conference

Submit an inclusive digital product video – To showcase examples of best practice, and highlight those innovative digitally inclusive products already making waves, we are inviting applications for short videos to be screened throughout the conference. These videos, focussing on African-made tech, can include product demonstrations, research systems, prototypes, educational methods, visions of the future, statements of needs for a user population, product descriptions or demos, reports on ethnographic work, user studies, lab overviews, and more. The videos should share knowledge or educate or raise awareness, and not be a sales pitch.

For more information and to submit your video, go to: http://inclusiveafrica.org/callforvideos

Take part in the Hackathon – If you’d like to nominate yourself to participate in the Hackathon and / or submit a project to be hacked (both are free to enter!) go to http://inclusiveafrica.org/hackathon

To find out more about the conference go to http://inclusiveafrica.org/