The second Inclusive Africa Conference attracts over 5000 guests

Over 5000 people drawn from 70 Nations globally gathered for the second edition of the Inclusive Africa Conference, an annual event organised by inABLE, a non-profit organisation whose mission is to empower blind and visually impaired students through assistive technology.

The theme for this year’s conference was Advancing Digital Accessibility and Assistive Technology Inclusion in Africa. Owing to the travel restrictions adopted by different countries to curb the spread of Covid-19, the conference was hosted virtually with attendees following through watch hubs across the continent.

Peter Musakhi, Deputy Director, Intergovernmental Relations, State Department forDevolution at Ministry of Devolution and ASALs, Richard Nyikuri- Disability Coordinator, The National Industrial Training Authority (NITA), Alice Mundia- Chairperson, Differently Talented Society Kenya, and Grace Okoth, Ministry of Education- Directorate of Special Education following the discussion at the 2021 Inclusive Africa Conference held at the New Stanley Hotel in Nairobi.

In Kenya, the conference watch-hub was hosted at the New Stanley Sarova hotel in Nairobi. The event brought together panelists drawn from different organisations including the Kenya Banker’s association and Safaricom.

During the conference, organisations shared what they had achieved concerning assistive technology with Nuru Mugambi, the Director of Public Affairs at the Kenya Bankers Association revealing that plans are underway to develop a website and an app through which bank employees can learn sign language to enable them better serve clients with hearing impairments.

Wilson Macharia, Lawyer and Disability Inclusion Consultant speaking at the 2021 Inclusive Africa Conference held at the New Stanley Hotel in Nairobi.

Also in attendance were Crystal Asige a singer and song writer and Wilson Macharia a disability inclusion specialist based at the University of Pretoria, both of whom are visually impaired.

The Keynote speaker for this year’s conference was US Ambassador to Kenya,  Eric Kneedler who emphasized on the need for local and international engagement to achieve accessibility and inclusion.

Featured Image: Guests at the 2021 Inclusive Africa Conference 2021 held at the New Stanley Hotel in Nairobi.