It is estimated that about 100,000 people need a wheelchair in Kenya annually. Across the 47 counties in Kenya, anecdotal evidence showed that health centres and access points for rehabilitative services are not evenly distributed, appropriately staffed, and sufficiently equipped. The situational analysis showed that Kenya’s access challenges are driven by a policy gap, limited service points with few trained personnel, fragmented delivery landscape, no national specifications, standards or supply chain and limited financing of rehabilitative services and wheelchairs.
His Majesty King Charles III recently concluded his visit to Kenya, where he met ventures from the Global Disability Innovation Hub’s Innovate Now Accelerator, Africa's first Assistive Technology Accelerator. The King's visit served as a significant boost for the Kenyan assistive technology sector, highlighting the country's leadership in developing affordable solutions for people with disabilities.
Mobile as Assistive Technology: How Digital Assistive Technology is Transforming Lives GDI Hub, Google and AT Scale launch pioneering project to test ‘Mobile at Assistive Tech’ in Kenya, Brazil and India.
This paper on how social interactions mediate the use of mobile phones by visually impaired people in Kibera, Kenya was accepted to the CHI2020 Conference, a global event on Human-Computer Interaction.
This paper explores the personal and system factors that motivate and enhance outcomes for patients accessing a prosthetic service and using a lower-limb prosthesis within a low resource setting. This study employed a qualitative approach to explore the motivations and satisfaction of individuals with lower limb loss engaging with a prosthetic service in Mombasa, Kenya. In-depth interviews were conducted over Microsoft Teams with 10 lower limb prosthesis users and thematic analysis was applied. Five key themes emerged: acceptance, self-determination, hope, clinician relationship and perception. These findings demonstrate the importance of hopeful thinking and a supportive community in overcoming physical and stigmatising challenges. The findings further highlight the value of the service provider relationship beyond just prescribing an assistive device.
This paper addresses the gap in research on the factors that shape the experience of disability stigma including social interactions and AT use in Kenya. Via a series of focus groups with Kenyans without disabilities (Study 1) and secondary data analysis of consultations with Kenyans with disabilities and their allies (Study 2), we identify shared and divergent understandings of what shapes disability stigma and discrimination and highlight assistive technology as an influential factor that served to identify or “mark” someone as having a disability.
Although, mobile phones are universally used for communication, for persons with disabilities they become essential assistive technologies that bridge barriers to opportunities which are not accessible otherwise.
Nairobi is experiencing rapid growth and investment in infrastructure which offers great potential to embed inclusion. The city has complex urban development challenges with roads and transportation commonly cited as major challenges. This case study explore the current state of the infrastructure provision - and makes recommendations for opportunities to imbed accessibility and inclusion.
To address issues around the provision of appropriate wheelchairs in low-and-middle income countries Motivation developed a new method for producing customized wheelchairs leveraging technologies such as Computer Aided Design and 3D printing. This article was part of the RESNA 2020 Virtual Conference, GAATO/RESNA Assistive Technology Outcomes/Impact Summit.
The President also launched the new Digital Registration System developed by the National Council for Persons With Disabilities this year, aimed at addressing data gaps and curbing cases of fraud. The system will also offer a new generation disability identification card with security features to prevent potential fraud and ensure the right people get registered.
Innovations in the field of assistive technology are usually evaluated based on practical considerations related to their ability to perform certain functions. The study involved eight expert wheelchair users and five healthcare professionals who routinely provide wheelchair services in their community.
This project measures how mobile phones act as an assistive technology and how the technology alongside training can transform lives.
This paper provides an overview of a model of local manufacture of wheelchairs by Motivation. Motivation is a disability inclusion charity and social enterprise, operational for 31 years. Their development of a Kenyan wheelchair manufacturing model will help to indicate whether national manufacture can provide one method of overcoming global supply challenges, inherent in a mass-market model, and aligns with the Kenyan Government's plans to boost the manufacturing sector and improve the provision of assistive technology, and the Government’s desire to be a regional provider.
Case Study: DIX within the AT2030 program in Kenya. Excerpted from Disability Interactions: Creating Inclusive Innovations by Catherine Holloway and Giulia Barbareschi.
The objective of this research was to provide an overview of the Kenyan Assistive Technology Ecosystem, including available assistive products and related services, and an understanding of the nature and strength of relationships between stakeholders. The research concluded that Improving access to assistive technology in Kenya will benefit from greater collaboration amongst all assistive technology stakeholders.
Joseph Matheka Nzioka is deaf and works in construction, plumbing, roofing and welding. He lives in Ngoloni, Kenya. Mobile helps Joseph do his work and be financially included.
Nairobi is a city of innovation - business opportunities and the start-up ecosystem is vibrant. Kenya has a strong legal framework to create inclusive cities and further disability inclusion. There is clear appetite from Government to take action represented through these legal frameworks, but there remains lots to be done.
Innovate Now has completed the 1st round of selection. We received 30 applications from 7 countries around the world. A majority of our applicants were from Kenya, with a total of 22 followed by the US with a total of 3 and one each from UK, Bulgaria, Nigeria Ghana and Tanzania.
There has been limited research to understand access to mobile phones by persons with disabilities and the impact of mobile technology in their lives. This research aims to bridge the knowledge gap and to understand the potential of mobile phones as assistive technologies (ATs) for persons with disabilities in Kenya and Bangladesh. It presents an evaluation of the gap and barriers to mobile phone ownership experienced by persons with disabilities, as well as the usage patterns of four main mobile-enabled services (voice, SMS, mobile internet and mobile money) and the role of mobile phones to enable access to basic services, such as education, healthcare, transportation, employment and financial services.
This paper presents the findings of a participatory photovoice study looking at the role that mobile phones play in the daily lives of 16 persons with disabilities in Kenya and Bangladesh.
Signs 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.
A recording from Techshare Pro 2019 where GSMA presented their findings on the mobile disability gap in Bangladesh and Kenya.
How can smartphones and digital assistive technology positively change the lives of persons with disabilities in low- and middle-income countries? How do people with visual or communication impairments in low- and middle-income countries want to use electronic devices in their everyday lives? And what are the real-world implications of this technology to people in terms of cost, use, and effectiveness, particularly in settings with low data and bandwidths? These are just some of the research questions being explored in an exciting study taking place in Kenya, India and Brazil. Global Disability Innovation Hub (GDI Hub), ATscale and Google are collaborating on a two-year research project to gather evidence to support work to make smartphones more accessible, useful and empowering to persons with disabilities. The project is funded by UK Aid's AT2030 programme to test ‘what works’ to improve access to life-changing assistive technology for all.
The 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.
In a groundbreaking recognition of innovation and inclusivity, Signvrse, previously known as Veezaviz, achieved remarkable success at the Kenya Innovation Week (KIW) 2023, Commonwealth Edition. Co-founder Elly Savatia was honored with the esteemed Commonwealth Secretary-General’s Innovation for Sustainable Development Awards, spotlighting the exceptional strides made by this tech pioneer.