Theme: Digital Inclusion
In an increasingly digitalized world, it is essential to include persons with disabilities in the digital transformation. Otherwise, there is a risk that the digital divide will further reinforce existing inequalities, particularly with regard to access to basic services such as education, healthcare, or financial services. This especially affects persons with disabilities in the Global South, where digital exclusion can endanger the achievement of the goals of the 2030 Agenda.
Digital technologies offer great potential to improve the quality of life of persons with disabilities, for example by removing barriers in education, work, health, political participation, or everyday life. However, despite these possibilities, significant access barriers still exist. This issue is therefore dedicated to the question of how digital inclusion can succeed, what challenges exist, and which solution approaches are already being pursued.
Vibhu Sharma highlights the tension between technological potential and real access restrictions. Paul Horsters (GIZ) presents exemplary projects that aim to promote digital participation. Jalasa Sapkota and Nir Shrestha analyze the importance of digital accessibility using the example of Nepal. Nyarko Stanley Marco and Dzeani Okai Phinehas examine the use of social media by deaf people in Ghana and discuss opportunities for greater inclusion. Godwin Irokaba uses the example of Nigeria to show how digital educational offerings can be designed for deaf and hard-of-hearing learners.
The contributions make it clear: Digital inclusion is not a marginal issue, but a central prerequisite for a just and sustainable society.