DataLeadAfrica

Deaf in Tech Project: 2022 in review

February 2023

In 2022, Datalead Africa through its Deaf-In-Tech project worked to close the digital divide among people with disabilities (PWD) and amplified their chances of employment and entrepreneurship through digital literacy training, CV writing, LinkedIn optimization, networking events and access to inclusive recruitment tools. Digital literacy has a significant impact on job creation and employment. The advancement of technology and its continual integration into various industries has increased the demand for workers with digital skills. This has led to the creation of new job roles and industries, as well as the need for workers in traditional industries to acquire digital skills to stay relevant in the job market. The tech revolution has created new job roles such as software developers, data scientists, data analytics, and digital marketers which can be well-paying and in-demand. Additionally, digitalization, has impacted traditional job roles and industries such as manufacturing and retail whereby automation and online sales have changed the nature of work.

Conversations at the roundtable highlighted the need to ensure that PWD have equal access to technology in the workplace such as the provision of assistive technology, such as screen readers, and ensuring that websites and software are accessible for users who are deaf, hard of hearing or visually impaired, the need to have ramps and easy access for persons with some form of mobility impairment. The need to ensure that they have access to equal opportunities, communication in a way that works for them as well as the need to train co-workers on the use of inclusive terminologies and skills such as empathy, collaboration and understanding was also discussed.

As a result, workers in these industries have had to acquire new digital skills to stay competitive in the job market and adapt to these changes. People with disabilities face several significant barriers when it comes to finding and securing employment. Discrimination, lack of accessibility, and lack of accommodations can make it difficult for people with disabilities to fully participate in the workforce. 

The Deaf-In-Tech project was instituted to strengthen employment and higher education of PWDs debuted in July 2022. Since its launching, about over 500 PWDs have accessed specialized training in digital skills ranging from the use of Ms Excel, Ms Word and Power BI tailored to their needs. Career trainings and entrepreneurship are a core component of the training. This Deaf-In-Tech project adopted an immersive approach with the use of visual aids, captioning, and sign language interpreters to help them understand and engage with the course contents and modules. The Deaf-In-Tech project trained about 60 PWDs every month since July 2022. We also had insightful sessions with mentors and climate change actors.

We wrapped up the year with the deaf-In-Tech roundtable and summit which had in attendance stakeholders form CSOs, unions, corporate bodies, advocacy and social pressure groups, NGOs, Donors, and the Federal government of Nigeria. Conversations at the roundtable highlighted the need to ensure that PWD have equal access to technology in the workplace such as the provision of assistive technology, such as screen readers, and ensuring that websites and software are accessible for users who are deaf, hard of hearing or visually impaired, the need to have ramps and easy access for persons with some form of mobility impairment. The need to ensure that they have access to equal opportunities, communication in a way that works for them as well as the need to train co-workers on the use of inclusive terminologies and skills such as empathy, collaboration and understanding was also discussed.

The success we recorded in 2022 was made possible through the generous support of our partners, GIZ through the Nigerian-German center for jobs, and Step-up Green warriors.

2023 will be much more impactful as we continue to work together for an inclusive world.


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