Ninh Binh launches Innovation for All Forum to expand technology access to visually impaired

On October 18, the inaugural NB-IAF 2026 forum was launched in Ninh Binh province, led by the Ninh Binh Association of the Blind. The event aims to transform scientific and technological advancements into practical opportunities for people with disabilities, particularly women with visual impairments. The forum, which coincided with Vietnamese Women's Day, convened stakeholders such as policymakers, social organizations, experts, and technology businesses to discuss how artificial intelligence, assistive technologies, and digital skills can enhance access to knowledge, education, and employment for visually impaired individuals.

This marks the first of what organizers hope will become an annual series, fostering sustained collaboration between the visually impaired community and those striving to make technological advancements more accessible and inclusive.

The forum's central theme is that innovation should prioritize people. It emphasizes that technology can elevate confidence, build individual capabilities, and broaden choices in daily life. To achieve these benefits, solutions must not only provide access to technology but also empower users to effectively utilize it, through appropriate training, inclusive environments, and ongoing community engagement.

Experts agree that for AI and digital technologies to yield lasting benefits for visually impaired individuals, they must be tailored to meet actual needs, be practical, and linked to meaningful opportunities for learning, employment, and participation.

Pham Quang Giang, chairman of the Ninh Binh Association of the Blind, expressed gratitude for the initiative by the NIC Youth Union and emphasized the forum's potential to create lasting cooperation opportunities that enable visually impaired individuals to apply technology, develop their skills, improve their quality of life, and contribute to society with greater confidence.

Bui Hai Vy, secretary of the NIC Youth Union, highlighted the initiative's alignment with the centre's five-year commitment to engaging with disadvantaged groups and integrating science, technology, and innovation into community development. The forum seeks to translate technological progress, especially artificial intelligence, into practical solutions that expand educational and employment opportunities and enhance the quality of life for people with disabilities, particularly those with visual impairments.

Nguyen Thuy Quynh, of Nhan Dan newspaper, underscored the importance of measuring innovation's value by its impact on enabling people to realize their potential and fully participate in society. For women with visual impairments, AI and assistive technologies can provide access to knowledge, education, employment, and new avenues for development.

However, transitioning from accessing technology to mastering it necessitates continued support from communities, experts, businesses, and social organizations. Quynh expressed optimism that the forum will facilitate practical solutions that empower individuals to develop their capabilities and contribute meaningfully to their communities.

The event featured a disability inclusion officer from the United Nations Development Programme Vietnam, who shared international perspectives and experiences in widening opportunities for people with disabilities. Representatives from participating businesses discussed technology solutions tailored to community needs, while an adviser from the NGO VIC (For the Visually Impaired) provided insights into overcoming barriers, enhancing educational opportunities, and enabling visually impaired individuals to pursue their aspirations. They also explored how technology can broaden access to knowledge and foster independence.

Dai Nam University and various other organizations supported the forum, alongside relevant agencies and partners dedicated to fostering connections, sharing knowledge, and promoting assistive technology solutions for people with visual impairments. A standout feature was a panel discussion titled "From Access to Mastery: Women with Visual Impairments in the AI Era," moderated by Nguyen Thuy Quynh.

The panel focused on the practical needs and barriers faced by women with visual impairments in accessing and using technology, as well as the emerging opportunities in the AI era. By centering the voices and experiences of people with visual impairments, the panel aimed to shift the conversation from merely identifying challenges to proposing practical solutions applicable in everyday life.