inABLE.org is set to host the first ever virtual Inclusive Africa Conference 2020  on 8th and 9th October, from 9 – 11:30 am EAT .The conference’s theme is promoting digital accessibility in Africa, and it is sponsored by the MasterCard Foundation, Uber, Facebook, and Google.

At least 500 people from across Africa are expected to attend this inaugural online event, which aims to raise awareness of the needs and rights of people with disabilities to access digital information, such as public safety, health, and remote learning education, which is currently unavailable. There is no fee to register for this conference; however, spaces are limited and early registration is advised: https://inclusiveafrica.org/registration.

The Inclusive Africa Conference will bring together global and local experts from various sectors to demonstrate inclusive design, mobile accessibility, and digital accessibility in primary and secondary education, higher education, financial services, social media, employment, and other areas.

Irene Mbari-Kirika, Executive Director of inABLE, emphasizes that now is the time to begin developing inclusive policies that place people with disabilities at the center of inclusive design: “Throughout the pandemic, people with disabilities struggled to access vital digital information that could affect their wellbeing, education, and employment; this disconnect exposed the gaps that need to be filled in Africa’s technology and internet-accessibility.”

On Day 2, participants can select from four breakout sessions, including Higher Education, Employment, Social Media Accessibility, and Digital Accessibility in Financial Services. The winners of the Digital Accessibility Innovations Awards, which recognize the best inclusive Africa innovations, will be announced during the event’s closing ceremony.