Internet Society Ghana trains persons with disabilities on digital accessibility

The Internet Society Ghana Chapter recently conducted a hands-on training workshop aimed at empowering individuals with disabilities through digital skills and assistive tools. In collaboration with Open Knowledge Ghana, the event brought together people with various impairments, web developers, and technology experts to identify barriers that hinder accessibility to digital services.

Dr. Maud Adjele Ashon Elliot, President of the Internet Society Ghana Chapter, explained that the initiative sought to provide persons with disabilities a hands-on role in pinpointing gaps in accessibility that developers might otherwise miss. She emphasized that involving people with disabilities in the design and development process would grant technology professionals a deeper understanding of their experiences, leading to the creation of more responsive digital platforms.

During the workshop, participants were introduced to numerous assistive technologies that enable individuals with disabilities to navigate the internet and access digital services more independently. Dr. Elliot stressed the importance of incorporating accessibility from the outset of the development process rather than treating it as an afterthought. She urged for greater involvement of persons with disabilities in digital policy development and technology design, advocating for an internet that is accessible to all.

The training forms part of a broader initiative to promote digital inclusion, ensuring that persons with disabilities are not left behind as public and private services increasingly transition online.