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assistivetech@safod.net
From 28th to 29th September 2021, SAFOD and Loughborough University organized a webinar to explore and share innovative business solutions that, if well supported, could help to increase access to assistive technology in Southern Africa. The webinar came after two years since SAFOD held another webinar on assistive technology in Cape Town in partnership with the University of Washington and AfriNEAD. This webinar was the first of several others being held between September 2021 and September 2022 to build momentum towards the Southern Africa Assistive Technology Expo (SAATE).
Participants learned about a young Motswana woman, Lucia, who shared her experience in managing the Signcoach app, a mobile application that teaches the Botswana sign language.
Tendekayi shared his inspirations for developing the world’s first rechargeable hearing aid battery.
A researcher, Tone, spoke about an innovative tool for screening hearing impairments using commercially available tablets, headphones, and dedicated software for gaming.
Kim will share lessons from the GSMA’s digital AT innovations.
For more examples, you can download the full event schedule or download speeches and presentations here.
From March 2016 until February 2019, SAFOD, in partnership with AfriNEAD and the University of Washington, were implementing an innovative project known as the AT-Info-Map with initial funding from Google.org. It primarily started by developing a mobile app for Android and iOS to map the availability of assistive technology in Southern Africa. It then incorporated an AT web database. The project has now multiplied, with more partners joining. The project now includes the regional AT Exhibition to be held in September 2022, and a series of national AT awareness seminars, among other AT initiatives.
The event drew speakers from academia, research institutions, disability organisations, and small and medium-sized assistive technology entrepreneurs. Below the list of all the speakers who spoke during the event.
Deputy Minister of Disability Affairs in the Presidency – Namibia.
Wabotlhe Chimidza
Chairperson at SAFOD & at Botswana Federation of the Disabled (BOFOD), Botswana.
Director General at Southern Africa Federation of the Disabled (SAFOD), Botswana.
Chairperson for the African Network for Evidence–to–Action in Disability (AfriNEAD), South Africa.
Country Director at CBM Christoffel-Blindenmission Christian Blind Mission e.V. – Zimbabwe Office.
Assistive Technology Specialist at Edit Microsystems (Pty) Ltd., South Africa
Social science researcher, program evaluator, and project manager in global health and human rights fields, USA.
Senior Advocacy and Market Engagement Manager, Assistive Tech, Mobile for Development at GSMA.
Senior Lecturer at Loughborough Design School, London.
Founder at Deaftronics Social Enterprise, Botswana.
Senior Researcher at SINTEF, Norway.
Director of programmes at Southern Africa Federation of the Disabled (SAFOD), Botswana.
Lecturer in Graphic Communication and Illustration at Loughborough University, London.
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Chairperson for the African Network for Evidence–to–Action in Disability (AfriNEAD), South Africa.
The Assistive Technology Business Innovations was a prelude to build momentum towards the Southern Africa Assistive Technology Expo (SAATE). Stay in touch to learn more about the the upcoming SAATE from 24 to 26 November 2022.
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