DIGITAL LITERACY FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES: NITDA Focusing on Accessible Technologies and Digital Skills for Inclusivity
By Gloria Sarauniya Usman
According to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) 2021 World Population Dashboard and the World Health Organization (WHO)/World Bank, Nigeria has an estimated population of 32 million Persons With Disabilities (PWDs). Data from Wikipedia identifies the five most common types of disabilities in Nigeria as visual impairment, hearing impairment, physical impairment, intellectual impairment, and communication impairment.
A 2008 study by the United Kingdom Department for International Development revealed that disability in Nigeria is predominantly viewed through a "welfare and charity" lens. Public institutions, including the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, alongside Disability Support Organizations, often limit their interventions to providing food, shelter, and clothing, without addressing broader inclusion and empowerment needs.
This approach leaves a gap in comprehensive disability inclusion policies and programs across government and private sectors. Consequently, PWDs face challenges such as stigma, discrimination, violence, and limited access to employment, healthcare, housing, education, and self-enhancement opportunities. This contrasts with the social model of disability, which posits that barriers in society, rather than individual impairments, disable people. It emphasizes social adaptation, inclusion, and empowerment as critical pathways to equity.
Empowering persons with disabilities aligns with the principles of the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy developed by the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, which is committed to "leaving no one behind." The policy envisions an inclusive, equitable, and sustainable skills framework that supports national development.
NITDA's Role in Promoting Digital Inclusion
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) plays a pivotal role in fostering digital inclusion for PWDs. One of its core mandates is to ensure universal access to information technology, thereby promoting its adoption across all sectors of Nigerian life. To this end, NITDA has launched several initiatives, including capacity development programs aimed at PWDs.
These programs focus on:
Enhancing IT skills to improve employability and entrepreneurship opportunities.
Reducing poverty and raising living standards.
Promoting inclusive access to digital infrastructure and services.
The inclusion of PWDs requires addressing both economic and social challenges:
Economic Inclusion: Ensuring PWDs have access to quality education, job opportunities, housing, and healthcare.
Social Inclusion: Eliminating prejudice, stigma, and marginalization in societal settings.
Recent Initiatives
At a recent five-day training program held at the Enugu State Technology Hub and Youth Innovation Centre, the Director-General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, reiterated the agency's commitment to equipping PWDs with digital skills. Represented by Dr. Collins Agu, Director of Corporate Planning and Strategy, Inuwa emphasized that the program, an initiative of the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, aimed to:
Build the capacities of PWDs to enable economic independence.
Boost digital literacy and proficiency for active participation in the growing digital economy.
Speaking on the theme, Training in IT and Entrepreneurship, Dr. Agu explained that the program sought to leverage technology for job creation and entrepreneurial development among PWDs. He noted that these efforts would promote equitable participation in society, particularly in the ICT sector.
Achievements and Vision
Since its inception, the program has trained over 175 PWDs nationwide and facilitated the creation of over 1,000 jobs, thanks to its "train-the-trainer" model, which has a multiplier effect. The recent extension of the program to Enugu aimed to address the unique challenges faced by PWDs in the region while fostering entrepreneurship and innovation through ICT.
Studies have shown that PWDs in Nigeria experience high levels of discrimination, which adversely affects their social and economic well-being. The NITDA training programs aim to bridge this gap by expanding opportunities for PWDs to integrate socially, culturally, politically, and economically into society.
In his address, Inuwa reaffirmed NITDA’s commitment to building a digitally empowered nation that fosters inclusive economic growth through technological innovation. He highlighted the agency’s alignment with the Federal Government’s goals and the importance of reshaping strategies to achieve transformative outcomes.
“Our approach is grounded in the principles of clarity, collective responsibility, and a commitment to challenging the status quo. This will help us achieve our goal of transforming Nigeria’s digital landscape,” he stated.
Conclusion
Promoting digital literacy among PWDs is crucial for achieving inclusive growth in Nigeria. By leveraging its mandates and initiatives, NITDA is fostering an environment where PWDs can meaningfully contribute to the digital economy, ensuring no one is left behind in the pursuit of national development.
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