Highlights
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Kenyan para athletes
Harrison KamauMay 1, 2025KenyaAlongside Paris 2024 we explored innovative mechanisms to amplify para sport activities and drive change. Working alongside Kenyan athletes and the youth movement and award-winning media house Shujaaz – we were able to reach new audiences with the aim of dismantling stereotypes and sharing first person narratives of entrepreneurship, sporting achievement and community participation. Thought the narrative of successful para-athletes we have looked to spark youth interest to expanding the pipeline of future sporting talent. A vivid illustration of these efforts can be seen in the experiences of two Kenyan para-athletes who competed on the international stage at Paris 2024 – and were part of the team that ensured Kenya’s most decorated Paralympic team since 2008 Beijing. Samson Ojuka a long-jumper and sprinter. Here are the stories of the two para athletes.
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Amplifying Para Athlete Voices Through Radio Drama.
Story WorskshopApril 22, 2025MalawiIn the lead up to the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games six episodes of the popular Malawian radio drama series, Zimachitika (These Things Happen) were broadcast as a creative way of building interest in Para sport. In Malawi, radio remains a cornerstone of communication, with a listenership rate of 71.2% of the national population . This makes it the most consumed and trusted source of information in the country. With 76 licensed radio stations, ranging from national to community levels, radio has the unparalleled ability to reach diverse audiences. For 28 years, programs like Zimachitika, produced by Story Workshop Educational Trust (SWET), have leveraged this reach to address pressing social issues, including discrimination against people with disabilities. By weaving authentic narratives into its storytelling, the drama not only entertains but also educates and challenges societal biases, a strategy known as ‘edutainment’.
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Impact Story: Amplifying Para Athlete Voices Through Radio Drama
Loughborough University, University of Malawi, Malawi Paralympic CommitteeMarch 31, 2025Gladys Chiwinja, a Malawian Para-athlete specializing in sitting volleyball and shot put, and Innocent Katsache, a scriptwriter at Story Workshop Educational Trust (SWET), sat down to discuss how sparking interest through radio drama contributed to challenging discrimination.
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Joseph Etyang: Mobile as AT
Joseph EtyangMarch 28, 2025Joseph Etyang, a Deaf professional in Nairobi, shares how a specialised phone from Kilimanjaro Blind Trust Africa has transformed his daily life. With real-time captions, sound alerts, and accessible messaging, he can now communicate more independently; at work, at home, and beyond.
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Bala Murugan
Global Disability Innovation HubMarch 28, 2025As mobile phones increasingly incorporate assistive features, they offer more accessible options for communication and daily activities. However, understanding how these technologies are used in low- and middle-income countries, where specialised devices may be less available, is crucial.
All Impact Stories
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News and Social Media Coverage Malawi and Ghana
Loughborough UniversityDec. 31, 2023Here are some media coverage and pictures for Para Sport Against Stigma in Malawi and Ghana.
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Innovation Spotlight: ACE Mobility, A Journey Fueled by Love and Resilience
Harrison KamauDec. 20, 2023KenyaFounded by Daniel Gatura, Ace Mobility provides safe, reliable, affordable, and inclusive transport services (taxi with ramps) through their taxi hailing app, available on play store. The beginning of ACE Mobility can be traced back to a pivotal moment in the founder's life, a moment that altered the course of his destiny. At the tender age of seven, his world was shaken by a tragic accident that befell his father, who was involved in a serious accident that left him physically disabled.
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Shifting Stigma - Stories from Malawi’s first-ever Para Games
Kritika NaiduDec. 1, 2023MalawiIn Malawi, the landscape of sports is evolving, creating avenues for inclusivity, empowerment, and redefining the narrative for young people with disabilities. Nelia Majawa from the Chilinde Township in Lilongwe, arrives at the Bingu National Stadium to support and encourage around 30 young people with disabilities to play sport and interact with each other at the first Malawian Para Sport Games (27 July 2023). Her daughter is one of them. Her 13-year-old is a weightlifting enthusiast, and her mother beams with pride and joy when stating that she lifted 25 kgs on the day.
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Syna Case Study
Global Disability Innovation HubNov. 1, 2023KenyaSyna Consultancy is on a mission to revolutionize sanitation for individuals with mobility challenges. Their focus is not just on providing solutions but also on enhancing lives and fostering independence. This study tshows Syna's journey in innovation.
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Riziki Source Case Study
Global Disability Innovation HubNov. 1, 2023KenyaThe term ‘Riziki Source’ is derived from the Swahili word signifying “livelihood.” ‘Riziki Source’ serves as an online platform (Web,app and USSD) with the objective of narrowing the divide in the employment sector by linking individuals with disabilities who are seeking jobs to prospective employers.The platform also allows employers to find suitable candidates, promoting inclusion and diversity in the workforce. Through this platform, Fredrick aimed to offer substantial employment prospects for disabled individuals in Kenya.
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Lugha Ishara Case Study
Global Disability Innovation Hub, Innovate NowNov. 1, 2023KenyaLugha Ishara follows a user-centric approach in developing its products, actively involving the users to identify their challenges and using these insights as the foundation for product development. Since its inception, the company has maintained an innovation committee comprising parents with hearing-impaired children, fostering a collaborative relationship with its users and capitalizing on its strengths to create relevant solutions.
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Paving the Way in Para Sport to Open Doors and Reduce Stigma
Global Disability Innovation Hub, Jennie Wong, Loughborough UniversityJune 20, 2023ZambiaRichard Lubanza (34) is a Zambian Para Powerlifter and has been competing successfully for his country since 2014. Originally from Lusaka, Richard was born with Polio and whilst he can walk short distances, he uses a pair of outdated crutches held together with duct tape, and an equally damaged wheelchair to get around.
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The Power of the Broadcast in Dispelling Stigma and Encouraging Inclusion
Global Disability Innovation Hub, Jennie Wong, Loughborough UniversityJune 13, 2023GhanaEmmanuel Nii Tettey Okuwas working as an electrical engineer and hobby body builder but following an accident in 2013 he had to have his left leg amputated and was faced with having to adapt to a new way of living. For some time, Emmanuel felt hopeless (and angry) as he could no longer work or be active as before. However, in 2016 he watched a broadcast from the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games and was excited to see people in wheelchairs lifting weights. It wasn’t until 2018 that a friend mentioned that he had seen some people doing disability sport at the Accra Sports Stadium, so he went along and met with the coach of the Para Powerlifting program, Coach Prince. Emmanuel started training straight away, “I fell in love with it. I gave it my all and now I am a national para-athlete.”
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Impact stories- The Importance of the Coach and the Media in Dispelling the Stigma of Being a Disabled Athlete
Global Disability Innovation Hub, Jennie Wong, Loughborough UniversityJune 12, 2023GhanaGhanaian athlete Tahiru Haruna, 29, from the Greater Accra area has won multiple medals in Para Power Lifting (107kg+) and Arm Wrestling for Ghana since he became an athlete in 2017. His next aim is to add Ghana’s first ever Paralympic Gold medal to his haul at the Paris Paralympic Games 2024 and showcase to other people with disabilities that it is possible to achieve a sporting dream. Tahiru’s sporting success has seen him travel to many other countries around the world for competition. This access to new cultures, sporting infrastructures and systems has provided him with some valuable experiences on how disability is perceived and managed within his own country.
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Lugha Ishara: Tackling Language Deprivation in Deaf Children.
Global Disability Innovation Hub, Harrison KamauMarch 29, 2023KenyaLugha Ishara was founded by Nancy Maina and a team of four volunteers who were passionate about improving the lives of Deaf children and young adults in the country. Their goal was to provide child-friendly KSL testing products that would tackle the challenges of language deprivation and understand the systemic causes to provide solutions. They provide methods and tools for early detection and intervention of hearing loss and language development in deaf children.
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Koalaa: an AT impact story
Kate MattickMarch 28, 2023Sierra LeoneBetween August and December 2022, 60 Decibels conducted a survey with 29 upper limb prosthetic users of the Koalaa product. They wanted to capture and understand the impact AT had on the users. This impact story shares these findings
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Impact Story - Emmanuel Nii Tetteh Oku - Paralympics Ghana
Loughborough UniversityMarch 28, 2023GhanaTokyo Paralympics aired to 49 countries across Sub-Saharan Africa for the very first time. In this video we hear from Emmanuel Nii Tetteh Oku, a Paralifter representing Ghana at the games. Emmanuel discusses his return from the games and the impact of the TV coverage, specifically in relation to stigma. Reflecting on his experiences, Emmanuel discusses his pride in representing his country and the confidence and freedom that Assistive Technology and Para Sport has given him. He also discssed being a role model in his community, and inspiring others with disabilities to follow a Para Sport route.
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Wazi: An AT impact story
Kate Mattick, Louise GebbettMarch 28, 2023Between August and December 2022, 60 Decibels conducted a survey with 29 upper limb prosthetic users of the Koalaa product. They wanted to capture and understand the impact AT had on the users. This impact story shares these findings
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Signs TV Case Study
Global Disability Innovation HubFeb. 27, 2023KenyaSigns Media TV was launched in 2015 when the company applied to the Communication Authority of Kenya for permission to run a television station broadcasting in sign language and was granted the permission. In February 2017, Signs Media started broadcasting on free-to-air platforms – Signs TV and is also found on channels like GoTV and StarTimes. The platform broadcasts in Kenyan sign language with voice as an override, airing films, movies, music (both gospel and secular), and Bible interpretation. Its main objectives are to educate, inform, and entertain in sign language, by extension enhancing disability and the deaf culture, where 80% of the programs are hosted by persons with disabilities.
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Video: Inclusive Public Space in Kelayan Barat
Kota KitaFeb. 13, 2023IndonesiaThis video takes a look at the constructed public space in Kelayan Barat. Residents and stakeholders share the experience of designing and constructing the inclusive public space, some of the challenges they encountered along the way and the impact it has had on the community.
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Video: Disability, Resilience and Inclusion in our Cities
Kota KitaFeb. 13, 2023Cities worldwide are increasingly exposed to the growing impact of climate crisis, from increased heat, intense weather changes to disasters. This video tells the story of people living with disabilities who might be at most risk from these times of uncertainty. It is reported in this video, that 1 in 7 people around the world are disabled, and approximately 80% of persons with disabilities live in potentially highly-climate vulnerable countries. When a disaster occurs, like floods or extreme heat, orientation and mobility are top priorities for people with disabilities.
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Video: Inclusive Public Space in Pelambuan
Kota KitaFeb. 6, 2023IndonesiaCommunity initiative of an inclusive design project in Pelambuan, Indonesia. The initiative was built on the shared aspirations identified by research participants for inclusive public spaces. Being part of the design process was cited by participants as an important knowledge sharing and learning experience.
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Riziki Source: Connecting People with Disabilities to Job Opportunities
Global Disability Innovation HubFeb. 2, 2023KenyaIn today's digital age, technology has become an integral part of our daily lives. From social media to online shopping, we rely on technology to make our lives easier and more efficient. However, for people with disabilities, technology can also play a crucial role in helping them to find and secure employment. One organization that is using technology to help people with disabilities find jobs is Riziki Source
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From Junk to Wheelchairs: The Story of Lincoln Wamae – an engineer and innovator
Global Disability Innovation HubFeb. 2, 2023KenyaLincoln Wamae is a Kenyan inventor and engineer who has made it his mission to improve the lives of people with disabilities through the power of innovation. Using his skills in mechatronics and electrical engineering, Wamae has developed a range of electric wheelchairs that are not only functional and reliable, but also environmentally friendly.
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Andrew Mtegha’s Story: Infusing disability rights advocacy into Paralympic sport broadcasting in Malawi
Loughborough UniversityJuly 29, 2022MalawiAndrew Mtegha is a disability rights advocate and presenter of several programmes about disability inclusion on the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC), such as Disability is Not Inability. The aim of these programmes is to give a platform to people with disabilities to voice out their views about their own issues in Malawi. Although Andrew has never done any sports reporting he was invited to be part of the MBC commentary team for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, provided in Chichewa.
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Impact Stories & Community Collaboration
Storytelling can be a great tool to amplify the voices of disabled people and have their voices heard. Building on our previous work, this project explores ways for creative expressions of disabled people’s lived experiences through multi-sensory impactful storytelling.
Storytelling is the oldest form of knowledge sharing and learning that transcends geographies, cultures, and generations. In African and indigenous cultures, the storytelling tradition sustains communities, validates the experiences of indigenous people and nurtures inter-generational relationships and knowledge sharing. Telling stories also helps regain a sense of belonging, collective identity, and connection to the land.
Storytelling can be a great tool to amplify the voices of disabled people and have their voices heard. Building on our previous work, this project explores ways for creative expressions of disabled people’s lived experiences through multi-sensory storytelling. Sharing experiences and stories this way is the first step towards helping individuals develop a voice and skills to advocate for their rights and access to AT. We also explore ways to use technology to amplify these stories to create a positive impact on disability inclusion and improved AT provisions across LMICs.
Research
Social Media as Disability Self-advocacy Tool
This project explores the role of social media as a self-advocacy tool for disabled people. Using a mixed-methods human-centred approach, this project will generate in-depth insight into how disabled people use social media for advocate for disability rights, the barriers and facilitators that impact socia media use, and a toolkit to better serve disability storytelling through social media.
Activities
14 March 2023: AT Storytelling Workshop with International Disability Alliance, Geneva, Switzerland
Outputs
- Maryam Bandukda, Catherine Holloway, Diane Bell, Victoria Austin, "Challenges to disabled people’s participation in digital activism: A global south perspective", CHI 2023 Workshop: Supporting Social Movements through HCI and Design Research, https://sites.google.com/view/hcisocialmovements
- Maryam Bandukda, Catherine Holloway, "Bridging the disability divide in the global south through digital disability inclusion", CHI 2023 Workshop: HCI Across Borders: Towards Global Solidarity, https://hcixb.org/
People
