Highlights
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Kenyan para athletes
Harrison KamauMay 1, 2025KenyaAlongside Paris 2024 we explored innovative mechanisms to amplify para sport activities and drive change. Working alongside Kenyan athletes and the youth movement and award-winning media house Shujaaz – we were able to reach new audiences with the aim of dismantling stereotypes and sharing first person narratives of entrepreneurship, sporting achievement and community participation. Thought the narrative of successful para-athletes we have looked to spark youth interest to expanding the pipeline of future sporting talent. A vivid illustration of these efforts can be seen in the experiences of two Kenyan para-athletes who competed on the international stage at Paris 2024 – and were part of the team that ensured Kenya’s most decorated Paralympic team since 2008 Beijing. Samson Ojuka a long-jumper and sprinter. Here are the stories of the two para athletes.
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Amplifying Para Athlete Voices Through Radio Drama.
Story WorskshopApril 22, 2025MalawiIn the lead up to the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games six episodes of the popular Malawian radio drama series, Zimachitika (These Things Happen) were broadcast as a creative way of building interest in Para sport. In Malawi, radio remains a cornerstone of communication, with a listenership rate of 71.2% of the national population . This makes it the most consumed and trusted source of information in the country. With 76 licensed radio stations, ranging from national to community levels, radio has the unparalleled ability to reach diverse audiences. For 28 years, programs like Zimachitika, produced by Story Workshop Educational Trust (SWET), have leveraged this reach to address pressing social issues, including discrimination against people with disabilities. By weaving authentic narratives into its storytelling, the drama not only entertains but also educates and challenges societal biases, a strategy known as ‘edutainment’.
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Impact Story: Amplifying Para Athlete Voices Through Radio Drama
Loughborough University, University of Malawi, Malawi Paralympic CommitteeMarch 31, 2025Gladys Chiwinja, a Malawian Para-athlete specializing in sitting volleyball and shot put, and Innocent Katsache, a scriptwriter at Story Workshop Educational Trust (SWET), sat down to discuss how sparking interest through radio drama contributed to challenging discrimination.
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Joseph Etyang: Mobile as AT
Joseph EtyangMarch 28, 2025Joseph Etyang, a Deaf professional in Nairobi, shares how a specialised phone from Kilimanjaro Blind Trust Africa has transformed his daily life. With real-time captions, sound alerts, and accessible messaging, he can now communicate more independently; at work, at home, and beyond.
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Bala Murugan
Global Disability Innovation HubMarch 28, 2025As mobile phones increasingly incorporate assistive features, they offer more accessible options for communication and daily activities. However, understanding how these technologies are used in low- and middle-income countries, where specialised devices may be less available, is crucial.
All Impact Stories
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Sanaullah
Global Disability Innovation HubMarch 28, 2025Mobile as AT explores how mobile phones, with their built-in assistive features, can improve communication and daily activities for people with disabilities. By examining the impact of mobile phones on people with hearing and visual impairments, the project aims to promote greater independence and inclusion, highlighting the real-world benefits of mobile devices as assistive technology.
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Aakash’s Journey with Transtibial Prosthesis
RAM CHANDRA THAPAMarch 28, 2025After losing his leg in a devastating accident during Nepal’s COVID-19 lockdown, Aakash faced immense challenges accessing care and continuing his education. Through the AT2030 programme, he received a 3D-printed prosthetic limb, significantly improving his mobility and independence. His story illustrates the transformative potential of digital assistive technology in low-resource settings.
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Bala Murugan
Global Disability Innovation HubMarch 28, 2025As mobile phones increasingly incorporate assistive features, they offer more accessible options for communication and daily activities. However, understanding how these technologies are used in low- and middle-income countries, where specialised devices may be less available, is crucial.
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Man Kumari, 11 years old’s Journey: Walking Towards Independence with a 3D-Printed Prosthetic Leg
RAM CHANDRA THAPAMarch 28, 2025At just 11 years old, Man Kumari from rural Nepal now walks to school on her own using a 3D-printed prosthetic leg provided through the AT2030 programme. After losing her leg at age five, she spent years reliant on her mother to move around. The new device, designed and fitted using digital technology, has transformed her daily life, enabling her to attend school, help at home, and play with friends. Her story reflects both the promise and ongoing challenges of delivering sustainable, child-focused assistive technology in remote, climate-vulnerable regions.
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Joseph Etyang: Mobile as AT
Joseph EtyangMarch 28, 2025Joseph Etyang, a Deaf professional in Nairobi, shares how a specialised phone from Kilimanjaro Blind Trust Africa has transformed his daily life. With real-time captions, sound alerts, and accessible messaging, he can now communicate more independently; at work, at home, and beyond.
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Paralympics and Inclusive Sport
Maryam BandukdaSept. 17, 2024GlobalMore than 4,000 disabled athletes competed in Paris. Each of these athletes have a story of passion, of resilience, and overcoming barriers. We would love to hear stories from disabled people who are passionate about sports. Do you have a story to share?
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Changing perspective of Deaf and disabled people in sport and art: London 2012 – Choreographer Mark Smith reflects on his experience of the powerful legacy of a Paralympic Opening Ceremony
Global Disability Innovation HubSept. 3, 2024London 2012 – Choreographer Mark Smith reflects on his experience of the legacy of a Paralympic Opening Ceremony Changing perspective of Deaf and disabled people in sport and art look at what made the opening ceremony of the Paralympics London 2012 so special , and how it changed people's perspective of Deaf and disabled people especially in sport and art.
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Spotlight on Sierra Leone – Meet Santos
KoalaaMarch 31, 2024Sierra LeoneThere is a significant need for prosthetics, coupled with a lack of access and also a strong stigma around having limb differences. Below is a video of Santos.
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The Story of Khadijatu Bangura
KoalaaMarch 31, 2024Sierra LeoneGlobally, there remains a significant need for affordable and comfortable prosthetics that can aid independence, inclusivity and health equity. This is particularly true in areas that have experienced conflict, and within lower/middle income countries. Working with governments, charities and other key partners on the ground to provide access to our prosthetics, in areas of the world that need them the most, is the focus of our dedicated Global Access Team. We have been lucky enough to secure a grant as part of the Assistive Technology Impact Fund (ATIF), under the banner of AT2030, which aims to increase access to assistive technology of all kinds, all over the world.
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A Journey with Technology
Harrison KamauMarch 8, 2024KenyaWhat makes Felista's adjustment remarkable is the user-friendly design of her device, especially its short applications that simplify tasks, such as efficient navigation. The training she received on utilizing voice commands with Google has proven to be a positive change, enabling her to effortlessly send voice messages.
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Digital assistive technology - Joseph's story
Harrison KamauMarch 8, 2024KenyaJohn Mwangi's story serves as a realistic portrayal of the intersection between technology and disability, showcasing the everyday impact on individuals' lives. It echoes a larger narrative unfolding on a global scale, where smartphones are emerging as powerful tools to transform the lives of persons with disabilities.
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Mobile as AT Kenya
Global Disability Innovation Hub, Harrison KamauFeb. 28, 2024KenyaThis project measures how mobile phones act as an assistive technology and how the technology alongside training can transform lives.
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Spotlight on Sierra Leone – Meet Sulaiman
KoalaaFeb. 27, 2024Sierra LeoneSulaiman is 28 years old 'top-up' seller for mobile phone sim cards, he lives with his wife and children in Makeni, Sierra Leone. Receiving a Koalaa ALX sleeve has been his first experience with prosthetics and one of the ways he loves to use it is to hold his baby daughter.
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News and Social Media Coverage Malawi and Ghana
Loughborough UniversityDec. 31, 2023Here are some media coverage and pictures for Para Sport Against Stigma in Malawi and Ghana.
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Spotlight on Sierra Leone – Meet Alimatu
KoalaaDec. 31, 2023Sierra LeoneAlimatu is 20 years old and lives in Freetown, Sierra Leone. Born with a below elbow limb difference, meaning her left arm did not develop fully at birth. Alimatu is currently at university studying finance. She was first introduced to Koalaa in 2021, through a local pastor. Koalaa spoke to Alimatu on our recent visit to Sierra Leone, to find out more about her experiences growing up with a limb difference and what she thinks of her Koalaa ALX.
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Innovation Spotlight: ACE Mobility, A Journey Fueled by Love and Resilience
Harrison KamauDec. 20, 2023KenyaFounded by Daniel Gatura, Ace Mobility provides safe, reliable, affordable, and inclusive transport services (taxi with ramps) through their taxi hailing app, available on play store. The beginning of ACE Mobility can be traced back to a pivotal moment in the founder's life, a moment that altered the course of his destiny. At the tender age of seven, his world was shaken by a tragic accident that befell his father, who was involved in a serious accident that left him physically disabled.
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Shifting Stigma - Stories from Malawi’s first-ever Para Games
Kritika NaiduDec. 1, 2023MalawiIn Malawi, the landscape of sports is evolving, creating avenues for inclusivity, empowerment, and redefining the narrative for young people with disabilities. Nelia Majawa from the Chilinde Township in Lilongwe, arrives at the Bingu National Stadium to support and encourage around 30 young people with disabilities to play sport and interact with each other at the first Malawian Para Sport Games (27 July 2023). Her daughter is one of them. Her 13-year-old is a weightlifting enthusiast, and her mother beams with pride and joy when stating that she lifted 25 kgs on the day.
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Riziki Source Case Study
Global Disability Innovation HubNov. 1, 2023KenyaThe term ‘Riziki Source’ is derived from the Swahili word signifying “livelihood.” ‘Riziki Source’ serves as an online platform (Web,app and USSD) with the objective of narrowing the divide in the employment sector by linking individuals with disabilities who are seeking jobs to prospective employers.The platform also allows employers to find suitable candidates, promoting inclusion and diversity in the workforce. Through this platform, Fredrick aimed to offer substantial employment prospects for disabled individuals in Kenya.
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Syna Case Study
Global Disability Innovation HubNov. 1, 2023KenyaSyna Consultancy is on a mission to revolutionize sanitation for individuals with mobility challenges. Their focus is not just on providing solutions but also on enhancing lives and fostering independence. This study tshows Syna's journey in innovation.
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Lugha Ishara Case Study
Global Disability Innovation Hub, Innovate NowNov. 1, 2023KenyaLugha Ishara follows a user-centric approach in developing its products, actively involving the users to identify their challenges and using these insights as the foundation for product development. Since its inception, the company has maintained an innovation committee comprising parents with hearing-impaired children, fostering a collaborative relationship with its users and capitalizing on its strengths to create relevant solutions.
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Impact Stories & Community Collaboration
Storytelling can be a great tool to amplify the voices of disabled people and have their voices heard. Building on our previous work, this project explores ways for creative expressions of disabled people’s lived experiences through multi-sensory impactful storytelling.
Storytelling is the oldest form of knowledge sharing and learning that transcends geographies, cultures, and generations. In African and indigenous cultures, the storytelling tradition sustains communities, validates the experiences of indigenous people and nurtures inter-generational relationships and knowledge sharing. Telling stories also helps regain a sense of belonging, collective identity, and connection to the land.
Storytelling can be a great tool to amplify the voices of disabled people and have their voices heard. Building on our previous work, this project explores ways for creative expressions of disabled people’s lived experiences through multi-sensory storytelling. Sharing experiences and stories this way is the first step towards helping individuals develop a voice and skills to advocate for their rights and access to AT. We also explore ways to use technology to amplify these stories to create a positive impact on disability inclusion and improved AT provisions across LMICs.
Research
Social Media as Disability Self-advocacy Tool
This project explores the role of social media as a self-advocacy tool for disabled people. Using a mixed-methods human-centred approach, this project will generate in-depth insight into how disabled people use social media for advocate for disability rights, the barriers and facilitators that impact socia media use, and a toolkit to better serve disability storytelling through social media.
Activities
14 March 2023: AT Storytelling Workshop with International Disability Alliance, Geneva, Switzerland
Outputs
- Maryam Bandukda, Catherine Holloway, Diane Bell, Victoria Austin, "Challenges to disabled people’s participation in digital activism: A global south perspective", CHI 2023 Workshop: Supporting Social Movements through HCI and Design Research, https://sites.google.com/view/hcisocialmovements
- Maryam Bandukda, Catherine Holloway, "Bridging the disability divide in the global south through digital disability inclusion", CHI 2023 Workshop: HCI Across Borders: Towards Global Solidarity, https://hcixb.org/
People
