Many of our digital policies speak about fostering inclusion, but to what degree is that put into practice and the effort made to improve the lives of persons with disabilities? We discuss and suggest some initial steps we can take to facilitate greater inclusion.
In a world that constantly strives for greater inclusivity, persons with disabilities are still often overlooked, especially in the Caribbean region. Despite advancements in technology, infrastructure, and awareness, many individuals, organisations, and even our governments, still do not consider the needs and rights of this important segment of our population. Moreover, from a tech perspective, with all of the advancements and innovations that have occurred, many of them cannot be accessed or used by persons with disabilities to improve their quality of life.
To be fair, the term ‘persons with disabilities’ is broad but tends to cover individuals who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments. Though it may be next to impossible to comprehensively address the needs of all those who fall within this spectrum, it is important to highlight that there is a Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities to protect the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities to which all members of the United Nations are signatories.
Having said this, there is still a stigma associated with having a disability, and in Caribbean society, limited provisions have been made to accommodate (at the very least) persons with physical and sensory impairments. Correspondingly, and often starting from childhood, these individuals do not appear to be fully integrated into our societies. They may attend special schools – if they attend school at all – have limited education and often cannot be gainfully employed. As a result, they tend to live as shut-ins with very limited means of living independently or supporting themselves or their families.
At the same time, when we look around us, several barriers facilitate the continued exclusion of persons with disabilities, such as lack of ramps or accessible transportation, a lack of inclusive education and employment opportunities, and from a tech perspective, inaccessible websites and applications, and the lack of assistive technologies tailored to their needs.
How can we turn the tide?
To be clear, fostering inclusion is not merely about making physical accommodations. It is about building a culture of respect, understanding, and equal opportunity for all, and tech has the potential to be a catalyst by leveraging innovation to break down digital barriers and empower persons with disabilities.
First, we can promote accessibility. For example, in physical spaces, consideration should be given to, among other things, providing ramps, elevators, and accessible restrooms. In our communication materials, alternative formats for information such as braille or audio description can be provided, whilst on digital platforms, we can prioritise inclusive design practices from the outset of product development and support the use of assistive technologies that enhance accessibility and usability for persons with disabilities.
Second, we can prioritise inclusive policies. In the circles of which we are a part, we can ask questions and ensure that the needs of persons with disabilities are included in the conversations we have in organisations and even on national and regional issues. Ultimately, we should be encouraging the development and implementation of more inclusive policies that promote equal opportunities for persons with disabilities in education, employment, and other spheres of life.
Third, we can educate and raise awareness. Many of us are likely to have few (if any) persons with disabilities in our social or professional circles, and so may not be aware of the specific challenges they are facing, and consequently, how we may assist. Facilitating workshops, seminars, and awareness campaigns and encouraging the participation of persons with disabilities could go a long way to fostering empathy and breaking down longstanding prejudices.
The path to inclusion
In last week’s article, we discussed narrowing the digital divide between our rural and urban communities, but there is also a digital divide between our able-bodied society and persons with disabilities, which may be more acute. Moreover, most national and regional tech-related policies either advocate inclusion and/or recognise the need to focus on persons with disabilities. However, when all is said and done, individual countries and the region as a whole have likely been doing a poor job on both fronts.
In summary, we need to move beyond the talk, which starts with a collective effort and a commitment to breaking down existing prejudices and barriers and empowering all people. The first step starts with us.
Image credits: Eren Li (Pexels); Kampus Production (Pexels); ThisIsEngineering (Pexels)
