Speaking Up for Inclusion: My Experience at the Lion Tech Expo

One of the things that gives me the greatest joy, is being able to walk into a room and discuss disability inclusion. And it is even more fulfilling when I do so unprepared, because I’m able to speak from the heart, instead of depending on bland findings. Two weekends ago, I had the opportunity to share my views on how tech programs/trainings in Cameroon can be made more disability inclusive, in order to ensure that persons with disabilities are not left back.

For almost five minutes, I shared with the organizers and audience of the Lion Tech Expo Conference, the need to invest in designing accessible trainings, and holding such trainings in environments that persons with different disabilities can access with ease. Although I did not have the time to dive into the specifics of making that possible, I’m glad that I had the opportunity to raise awareness, as the CEO of Lion Technologies ltd. , ELVIS NTUNGWEN , acknowledged the limitations of his programs and promised to work on making them more inclusive.

When designing tech programs or trainings, it is important to think about people with various disabilities, and take steps to ensure that they too, can fully benefit from such programs. Measures in this direction can include:

1. Making content available in multiple formats, such as text, audio recordings, video lectures with captions, and transcripts. This can cater to the needs of people with visual and hearing impairments, and ensure their active participation in tech programs/trainings. As a friend recently told me, “it is frustrating to attend a training on technology in Cameroon, because the trainers always assume that everyone is seeing whatever they are demonstrating.” He asked; “why can’t they consider Brailing their slides so that those of us who are blind can easily follow?” And that’s a serious thing to think about.

2. Implementing universal design practices. According to the United Nations’ Convention on the Rights of Persons with disabilities, universal design means the design of products, environments, programs and services to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design. In simple terms, it means if you are including a “buy” button on a website, for example, you should label it clearly and boldly. It means if you are designing an online course, you should consider features like proper color contrast, keyboard navigation, and screen reader compatibility.

3. Using inclusive and accessible language. When people think of this point, they often only think about avoiding language that reinforces stereotypes about persons with disabilities, and avoiding jargon phrasing. While those are great, trainers often lack the descriptive language needed to ensure an inclusive learning experience. For instance, at one of the trainings that I attended recently, the trainer kept saying “press this key, and click here.” While sighted individuals could see whatever he was demonstrating, I was lost. What did he mean by “press this key, and click here?” What if he said press the Control button, or click the PDF icon at the left bottom of your screen, for examples?

4. Considering alternative input methods. People without hands, or those whose hands are not active enough, often find it difficult to use a keyboard or a mouse. This requires designers to factor in other input methods, such as voice commands and dictation software, so as to ensure that such persons are not left out.

5. Ensuring accessible accommodations. Last year, I went for a training somewhere, and some friends literally had to team up to lift a friend into the training room, because he couldn’t use his wheelchair to go upstairs. If the building had ramps with handrails on both sides, that wouldn’t have been a problem. When organizing a training, always ask, who would be attending, and what environment would be best?

6. Including persons with disabilities. As Mahatma Gandhi once said; “whatever you do for me but without me, you do against me”. Tech program/training designers must consult persons with disabilities, if they intend to develop programs that are disability inclusive enough. This is, simply, because no one understands disabilities more than people who have it. Ask them what would work for them, ask them how to structure the programs in ways that are flexible enough to suit their needs.

I know, these measures are costly. But we can’t afford to do otherwise. If Cameroonians with disabilities must benefit from the well of technology, we must pursue these and other measures with everything we have. Do you understand?