Pioneering disability inclusion: Wits DRU and Afretec lead the way
- Wits University
Two-day workshop redefines inclusive education and how to leverage new technologies to empower students and staff with disabilities.
In a bold step towards making higher education more inclusive, Wits University’s Disability Rights Unit (DRU), recently partnered with the Afretec Inclusion, Diversity and Impact Team, to host 66 representatives from African education and training institutions at the Disability and Technology in Higher Education Workshop in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Themed Enabling Access and Success, the workshop brought together innovators, educators, and students to explore and brainstorm on assistive technology, artificial intelligence and tech innovation, Universal Design Learning (UDL), disability policy, and research in the disability sector.
Says Dr Leila Abdool Gafoor, Head of the Wits Disability Rights Unit (DRU), “Disability is often not given the same priority as other social justice issues. At Wits, the DRU has been actively transforming universal access to higher education for decades. With this workshop, we wanted to create an opportunity to foster partnerships across Africa, and to share, learn, and discover ways to make our institutions more equal, accessible and welcoming for all students and staff with disabilities.”
Partnering with Afretec has been instrumental in enabling an impact-driven workshop. Afretec is a pan-African network of engineering and technology-focused universities that drives Inclusive Digital Transformation in Africa.
Says Dr Heila Jordaan, Wits Afretec Programme Manager, “The Afretec Inclusion and Diversity Working Group have done an outstanding job to make this workshop a most successful meeting of minds, all in the interest of making Higher Education accessible to and successful for students with various disabilities. Technological developments for teaching and learning, and assistive technologies now means that all students with disabilities should be accommodated in education.
The current landscape
In her keynote address at the Workshop, Professor Diane Bell, Director of AT2030 Programme and Global Disability Innovation Hub, said globally, over one billion people, 15% of the world’s population, experience some form of disability, with Africa reporting higher rates of between 17-20%.
“Poverty, conflict, and lack of healthcare are some factors that contribute to this prevalence. For too long, disability has stood as a significant barrier to education and social participation, particularly in the Global South. However, emerging assistive technologies, edtech, and artificial intelligence (AI) are poised to revolutionise the educational landscape, unlocking new opportunities for students with disabilities,” she said.
Key challenges: Barriers in education
Despite advancements in inclusive education, she said, “significant obstacles remain. In many countries, students with disabilities face outdated infrastructure, inaccessible facilities, and limited support services. The financial burden of assistive technology, and a lack of staff training, further impede their educational journey.”
Stigma and the invisible
For students with invisible disabilities like learning disorders and mental health issues, fear of stigma often prevents disclosure. Others with sensory impairments struggle with inconsistent access to resources such as sign language interpreters and accessible digital content. These gaps call for innovative, accessible solutions.
雷速体育_雷速体育直播s with complex needs—such as those with autism, mobility impairments, or multiple disabilities—are often overlooked, requiring tailored support and coordinated services. Current systems fall short, demanding a more comprehensive, individualized approach.
Integration of AI
Artificial intelligence, with its machine learning capabilities, is creating exciting opportunities for innovation and research to improve access and equity in education. AI-powered tools like chatbots, personalised and adaptive learning platforms, AI-based captioning and voice recognition, gamification, Emotional AI, VR/AR and many more assistive technologies are being used to develop adaptive learning environments.
"Inclusive design must be a priority, ensuring learning technologies cater to all abilities. Developers must collaborate with educators and disability advocates to build universally accessible platforms," Bell emphasised.
The way forward
The workshop laid the groundwork for a groundbreaking initiative: the formation of an African Higher Education Disability group, uniting institutions across the continent committed to advancing disability inclusion. Wits University’s Disability Rights Unit (DRU) will spearhead this collaborative effort, driving the push for more inclusive education systems in Africa.
Afretec will develop a white paper to guide institutions on the provision of assistive technology for students with disabilities.