This archive report was first published on 24 August 2021.
Kenya is poised to make history by developing Africa's first ICT Accessibility Standard, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at promoting digital inclusion of people with disabilities and older persons.
The development of the standard is a result of a partnership between inABLE, a nonprofit organization that empowers the blind and visually impaired with computer assistive technology, and the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS).
According to Irene Mbari-Kirika, the Founder and Executive Director of inABLE, the partnership is a significant step towards fulfilling the promises set forth in the 2019 Kenya ICT Policy. "We are honored to form a solid partnership with the KEBS to develop the National ICT Accessibility Standards, which will have a crucially positive impact on public and private sector digital products and services by making them more accessible to everyone, including persons with disabilities and the elderly," she said.
The creation of a national ICT Accessibility Standard comes at a pivotal time, as the Covid-19 pandemic exposed a consequential digital divide and dire need for accessible digital platforms. Bernard Njiraini, MD, KEBS, explained that the lack of access to vital online services disconnected millions of people, especially those with disabilities.
KEBS is committed to delivering meaningful and operational standards that enhance the lives of Kenyans, and the organization is excited to be working with inABLE towards making this possible.
The Kenyan government has led the way in Africa by setting an example to other nations. For instance, the Big 4 Agenda, an accelerated 5-year development plan, is designed to fast-track the realization of Kenya's Vision 2030, which aims to transform Kenya into a newly industrializing, middle-income country providing a high quality of life to all its citizens by 2030 in a clean and secure environment.
These e-government services will be accessible to all, including people with disabilities, thanks to the newly gazetted 2019 Kenya ICT policy, which is very inclusive and accommodative of the digital needs of people with disabilities in Kenya.
Over the next few months, KEBS and inABLE will be working together with other stakeholders, including the National Council of People with Disabilities in Kenya (NCPWD), Communications Authority (CA), and ICT Authority, to draft the national ICT accessibility standard.
