Mobile as Assistive technology Kenya Report Summary

Kenya Report Summary

This document presents the summary of findings from research investigating the impact of Mobile as Assistive Technology conducted in Kenya between 2024 and 2025. The project explored whether smartphones can serve as assistive technology for people who are Blind or Partially Sighted (BPS) and people who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing (DHH).

The research was funded by the UK Department for International Development, Google, and ATScale – Global Partnership for Assistive Technology. The research was led by Global Disability Innovation Hub (GDI Hub) and University College London in collaboration with Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kilimanjaro Blind Trust Africa, Senses Hub, and Safaricom.

Context

Smartphones are no longer just communication tools. For people with disabilities, they can serve as assistive technology – replacing or supplementing specialised devices such as hearing aids and Braille readers. Unlike traditional assistive technology, smartphones are increasingly affordable and widely available, including in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

Smartphone Usage: Between Disabled & Non-Disabled people

In Kenya, there is a significant gap between disabled and non-disabled people when it comes to smartphone use:

• Only 12% of disabled people own a smartphone, compared to 41% of non-disabledpeople – a gap of 72%
• Disabled people are 36% less likely to be aware of mobile internet
• Disabled people are 85% less likely to use the internet

This gap is not simply about device access. It is shaped by a combination of factors: limited digital skills, affordability of data, inaccessible apps and websites, and lack of targeted training. Women with disabilities face compounded disadvantages due to gender norms, financial constraints, and safety concerns.

Despite these barriers, smartphones offer significant potential as assistive technology. This research was designed to test that potential in practice – giving people the devices, training, and data they needed, then measuring what changed.

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