Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Tools for Persons with Disabilities Inclusivity in Development in Developing Nations: A Literature Review

Ongare Roselida Maroko

Department of Information Technology, Kibabii University, Kenya

Corresponding e-mail: rongare@kibu.ac.ke

Citation: KIBU Conference (2017). Innovative Research and Knowledge for Global Competitiveness and Sustainable Development. Proceedings of 2nd Interdisciplinary International Scientific Conference 14 – 15 June 2017. Kibabii University Main campus, Bungoma Kenya ISBN: 978-9966-59-011-4

Abstract

This paper presents a view of how Information and Communication Technology (ICT) tools can be used for the inclusivity of persons with disabilities in development in developing nations. ICTs play a growing role in the world’s societies. ICTs have the potential to help disadvantaged groups such as persons with disabilities to increase their participation in social, political, and economic processes critical to sustainable development. Reports from reviewed literature show than one billion people live with some form of disability. Reports further show that 80%) of this population live in developing countries and that they live in poverty and are among the poorest and most vulnerable groups of the global population. Persons with disabilities were not included in the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and consequently excluded from many development initiatives and funding streams. In contrast, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has a historic achievement for persons with disabilities, since it explicitly includes and references them in a variety of areas such as education, employment, accessible cities, reducing inequalities, and disaggregation of data. This recognition is particularly important because it places persons with disabilities at the centre of poverty eradication. Although the principle of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is “leave no one behind,” it is still not clear how this will be achieved for persons with disabilities in developing nations. The paper recognizes the fact that ICT have the potential for making significant improvements in the lives of persons with disabilities, allowing them to enhance their social, cultural, political and economic integration in communities by enlarging the scope of activities available to them. The paper posits that ICT tools should be designed to promote ICT accessibility and use for the social and economic development of persons living with disabilities.  The method adopted in this research was integrated literature review research approach. To identify relevant research a traditional online search was conducted using the keywords “Information and Communication Technology and Persons with Disability”, “Persons with disability inclusivity in development”, “Persons with disability and Sustainable Development.

Key words: Information and Communication Technology, Persons with Disability,Inclusivity, Sustainable Development

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