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#digitalinclusion

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I'm considering writing a #Blog post about how #Technology can be more #Accessible and #Inclusive for people with #Disabilities and #ChronicIllness. One example that comes to mind is the need for more personalized customization in health tracking features on #Wearables like the #AppleWatch.

For me, the exercise and stand goals aren’t realistic due to my health limitations. On bad days, the constant reminders to move can feel discouraging rather than motivating. While there’s the option to turn notifications off entirely, I still want to track my movement or standing progress in a more flexible way. It would make a huge difference if the activity rings and goals could be fully customizable to accommodate individual abilities and needs.

To my fellow #Disabled and #ChronicPain warriors: What other areas do you think tech could be more inclusive? Whether it’s device features, apps, or software design, I’d love to hear your thoughts! Would you also be okay with me including your name or username and a quote from you in the blog post? I want to uplift your voices as part of the conversation.

Although this post is meant to elevate disabled voices, developers, designers, and usability experts are welcome to join the discussion and learn how to create more inclusive tech.

Let’s brainstorm ways to make tech work better for everyone! 🌟 Thank you in advance for sharing your insights!

#DisabilityRights #InclusionMatters #Accessibility #PWD #TechForGood #AssistiveTechnology #UX #DigitalInclusion #HealthTech #NEISVoid #Disability #Blogging #WordPress #WebAccessibility #InclusiveDesign #ContentCreation

@disability@a.gup.pe @disability@beehaw.org @disabilityjustice @mastoblind @main @actuallyautistic @spoonies @a11y @disabilitytech @accessibility @blind @neurodivergent @spooniechat @chronicallyill @wordpress @technology @opensource @disabilityadvocates @accessibledesign @programmers @usability

From village roots to digital dreams: How women are transforming rural connectivity and driving community change

> This article draws inspiration from the story of a remarkable woman from a rural part of #SouthAfrica who empowered her community to take bold steps toward digital transformation.

- By Harira Wakili, from Nigeria's Centre for Information Technology and Development: apc.org/node/40441

Association for Progressive CommunicationsFrom village roots to digital dreams: How women are transforming rural connectivity and driving community changePhoto: Mamaila Community Network In my observation, access to technology and essential services like education, health care and service delivery is primarily concentrated in urban areas across Africa. The situation is markedly different in rural or remote communities, where the absence of socioeconomic and political infrastructure creates significant barriers to accessing basic rights. Internet connectivity, as a fundamental right, should be available to all individuals regardless of gender, religion or ethnicity. However, rural communities face significant challenges in gaining this access, which is critical for addressing their unique needs and demands. Often neglected by the government, these communities also lack the knowledge and capacity to advocate for their rights effectively. Furthermore, cultural norms in many areas disproportionately limit women's participation in decision making, exacerbating the digital divide and its impact on them.As the world becomes increasingly advanced and technology takes centre stage, rural communities remain unserved and underserved, limiting their ability to participate in the modern world. From my perspective, addressing these challenges requires empowering local communities to identify their needs and build the capacity to develop and manage solutions that work for them. Community-driven initiatives can play a significant role in rural development by providing affordable and reliable internet access, fostering local industries, and enabling residents to address their unique challenges while amplifying their voices in critical decision-making processes.This article draws inspiration from the story of a remarkable woman from a rural part of South Africa who empowered her community to take bold steps toward digital transformation. Kgoposto Magoro is from the rural town of Mamaila in Limpopo Province, South Africa. She embarked on a transformative journey from humble beginnings to becoming a beacon of hope and digital inclusion in her community. Her story is a testament to resilience, determination, and the relentless pursuit of bridging the long-standing digital divide in her community.While growing up in Mamaila, Kgopotso lived without modern infrastructure, with no access to roads, schools, clinics, hospitals or computers. The internet was an alien concept in her village. At 19, she encountered technology for the first time after leaving her village for higher education. Kgopotso’s initial experience with the computer was both fascinating and challenging, but her curiosity and determination propelled her forward. During an internship with the government communication department, Kgopotso was introduced to the internet, which opened a new world of possibilities. This experience ignited her dream of bringing digital advancement back to her roots.  Despite numerous challenges, including high cost and limited access, Kgopotso pursued her master's degree, focusing on rural connectivity. This academic journey laid the foundation for her vision of creating a community network in Mamaila. In 2019, Kgopotso’s goal began to take shape with the inception of the Mamaila Community Network. The network operates on a community-owned model, providing residents with affordable and reliable internet access. Recognising the need for collaboration, she partnered with relevant stakeholders in her community to secure the necessary licenses and support which led to the launching of networks in 2022 that connect over 3,000 devices across her village using six Wi-Fi hotspots.The Mamaila Community Network has empowered women in the community by providing education, access to employment and entrepreneurship opportunities. As a village that suffered from apartheid, women often managed households but lacked opportunities for their personal growth and financial independence. The community network initiative became a symbol of resilience and solidarity, because it has inspired women to take on leadership roles and influence decisions in the community.As a digital inclusion advocate, the story resonates deeply with my reality as a Nigerian woman advocating for women's and girls' rights to access digital space in communities where women are affected by cultural norms that limit their participation in decision making as well as influencing decisions in their communities. Just like Mamaila, rural communities in Nigeria face systemic neglect, compounded by cultural norms that hinder women's participation in technology development and usage. The challenges that Kgopotso overcame mirror those I encountered while working to bridge the gender digital divide in Nigeria.Kgopotso’s determination to confront infrastructural gaps and societal barriers is the source of inspiration for my work. In Nigeria, empowering women with technical skills, advocating for gender-sensitive policies, and engaging stakeholders to address the unique challenges faced by underserved women are central to my efforts. The impact of Kgopotso’s work strengthened my belief that when women lead, they can bring transformative change to their communities, given that gender inclusion is not just beneficial but essential to our lives.The journey of birthing the community network in South Africa reminds me of the power of community-driven initiatives and the need for solidarity among women. Kgopotso’s ability to unite her community and foster a sustainable model for connectivity reinforces the importance of grassroots advocacy. Like her, I worked with marginalised communities by creating platforms where women can reclaim digital space, and ensuring no woman is left behind in the march toward overcoming digital marginalisation and promoting digital inclusion of women in Nigeria.The journey from transforming a rural unconnected village to a digitally connected community is an inspiring tale of resilience and vision. The effort has led thousands of people to get connected to the internet. It empowers women and fosters a spirit of solidarity among communities. It is also a beacon of hope for the Mamaila community and beyond, as it illustrates how local knowledge and determination can drive transformative change. The story serves as a powerful reminder that when women are given the opportunity and support, they can shape a future where access to technology is a right enjoyed by all. Harira Wakili is a gender and digital rights advocate, dedicated to promoting digital inclusion and literacy. She serves as the Africa regional gender coordinator for the Local Networks Initiative (LocNet) with the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD).

#Accessibility experts and enthusiasts! I'm seeking advice on improving the accessibility of my church's website, refreshinghope.org. As a blind user and aspiring accessibility consultant, I've identified several issues, but I'd love additional insights.

Key issues:
• Many unlabeled links and buttons
• Incorrect ARIA states for tabs (expanded/collapsed mismatch)
• All headings set to level 5, hindering smooth navigation

The pastor is considering a separate text-only version, but I'm advocating for enhancing the main site's accessibility instead. Looking for specific suggestions and best practices to address these and other potential issues.

If you have experience with #WebAccessibility or #InclusiveDesign, I'd greatly appreciate your input. Let's make the web more accessible for everyone! #a11y #DigitalInclusion #blind

🌟 **AI-Generated Alt Text as Assistive Tech? Absolutely!** 🌟

When AI is used to create alt text for images, it's not just a cool tech trick—it’s **empowerment**! 💪✨ By describing images for people who are blind or visually impaired, AI makes the digital world more accessible. 🌐

🖼️ **Alt text** bridges the gap between sight and understanding for those using screen readers 🎧, allowing them to experience images through rich, meaningful descriptions. 🌈 When AI helps create these descriptions, it’s contributing directly to **assistive technology**! 🛠️

Let's recognize that AI’s role in accessibility isn’t just about innovation—it’s about **inclusion**. 💖 Everyone deserves to navigate and enjoy the digital world equally! 🌍💬

In the vast and vibrant world of social media 🌍, images play a crucial role in how we communicate and connect 🤳. For those of us who are blind or visually impaired, alt text or image descriptions are our gateway to experiencing these visual elements. While well-written human descriptions are undoubtedly the gold standard 🥇, the reality is that the vast majority of images lack any alt text at all 🚫🖼️. This leaves us missing out on significant portions of the content.
It's true that nothing beats the nuance and context a human can provide when describing an image 👩‍🦰📝. A person can capture the subtleties, emotions, and specific details that make an image truly come to life. However, given that so many images are shared without any descriptions, we find ourselves in a bit of a dilemma 🤔.
This is where AI-generated alt text can step in as a valuable intermediary 🤖📜. While AI might not perfectly capture every detail or emotional nuance, it can provide a basic understanding of the image’s content. This is undeniably better than encountering a blank space where an image’s story should be 🌫️.
AI-generated descriptions can tell us if an image contains text 📝, what the primary objects are 📦, or the general scene 🏞️. For example, it might let us know that there’s a "dog playing in a park" 🐕 or "a person holding a book" 📚. While these descriptions might lack depth, they offer a foundational context that helps us engage more fully with the content 🧩.
The key takeaway here is that providing some form of alt text is far better than providing none 👍. It’s a step towards inclusivity and accessibility, showing consideration for all members of the online community 🌐. For those creating content, taking a moment to add even a basic description can make a world of difference 💡.
As we move forward, let’s advocate for both AI advancements and greater human effort in creating descriptive content 🤝. Together, we can build a more inclusive digital landscape where everyone, regardless of their visual abilities, can share in the richness of our shared experiences 💖.
#AltText #Accessibility #Inclusion #Blind #VisuallyImpaired #AI #SocialMedia #DigitalInclusion #ImageDescriptions

: She believed she could, so she did.

Congratulations to our Founder and Executive Director, Jasmine M. Jackson, who completed her year-long #NCEPFP (Education Policy Fellowship Program) and delved into education policy at the state (North Carolina) and federal levels!

We can't wait to use the information our founder learned through her fellowship to better service our future accelerators with #digitalliteracy and #cybersecurityeducation by exposing and having them thrive in the technological age.

If you're in the education policy, digital literacy, or cybersecurity education space and want to learn more about T-ATP, click the link: t-atp.org.

#digitalequity #digitalliteracymatters #digitalequitychampion #educationequity #educationpolicy #educationlaw #digitalinclusion #techforgood #techinnovation #nced #eradicatingthedigitaldivideonestudentatatime
#academia #research #academicchatter #government #law #fedilaw #justice #Engineering #CivilEngineering