As government services, community meetings and public debates increasingly move online, a new project is seeking to ensure that blind and visually impaired Zimbabweans are not left behind.
Gateway to Elation, founded in 2016 by Richard Mulandu, has launched the three-month “Accessible Digital Civic Participation for Blind Communities” initiative, which seeks to promote the meaningful inclusion of blind people in digital civic spaces.
The project comes amid growing concerns that, while more information, communication and public engagement are taking place on websites, social media and mobile apps, many digital platforms remain inaccessible to people who rely on screen readers and other assistive technologies.
Speaking at the launch of the project in Bulawayo this week, Mulandu said the initiative was based on the belief that blind people should not only have access to digital technology, but should also be able to use it to participate in civic life, engage with others, express themselves and influence issues that affect them.
He noted that almost every aspect of daily life was moving online, including access to government information, job applications, education, banking and social interaction. This, he said, was creating challenges for people living with disabilities, particularly those who are visually impaired.
Mulandu said technology could be widely available and remain inaccessible to many people. He stressed that true digital inclusion meant designing technology from the outset with the needs of different users in mind.
“And this is one of the reasons why Gateway to Elation is launching Accessible Digital Civic Participation for Blind Communities as we enter our next chapter,” said Mulandu.
“After ten years of opening gateways to learning, independence and opportunity, we want to help create a space where blind people can develop the knowledge, confidence and digital skills they need to engage more meaningfully with the world around them.
“Through Accessible Digital Civic Participation for Blind Communities, we want to contribute to a future where blind people are not spoken for, but are equipped and empowered to speak for themselves.
“We want blind people to be part of the digital conversations taking place around them.
“We want them to be able to access information, express their views, engage with decision-makers and participate in civic processes.”
Mulandu said digital inclusion means ensuring access to affordable and accessible technology, reliable connectivity, digital literacy and information.
“A technology can be available to everyone and still be inaccessible to many.
“True digital inclusion means designing technology from the beginning with different users in mind.
“It means accessibility should not be an afterthought.
“It should not be something we add when somebody complains. Accessibility must be part of the design…
“And we need people with disabilities involved in the design and decision-making processes that affect us,” he said.
He stressed that digital access does more than connect people to technology; it connects them to opportunities, enabling them to participate and contribute to a stronger, fairer and more inclusive society.
