This project by the Hailay and Tsehay Foundation will provide persons with disabilities in Ethiopia with access to affordable assistive technologies for communication, mobility and upskilling, as well as training on how to use these technologies. It will also empower individuals to participate more fully in education, employment, and community life, leading to greater independence and inclusion.
Approximately 7.8 million people in Ethiopia (9.3% of population) live with a disability. Socio-economic barriers and limited infrastructure restrict access to healthcare, education, and employment, especially in rural and underserved areas. Stigma, cultural misconceptions, and inaccessibility in both physical and social environments further marginalize persons with disabilities, over 95% of whom live in poverty, often relying on family, aid, or begging to survive.
This project will raise funds to provide affordable assistive technologies such as screen readers, Braille keyboards, and mobility aids for persons with disabilities in Ethiopia. It will include training in device use and digital skills. Access to technology will reduce digital barriers, promote social inclusion, support life skills like communication, personal care, and mobility, and enable access to vocational training and formal education, leading to employment and better quality of life.
This project, supported by the Foundation's community engagement, advocacy, and healthcare efforts, will create lasting impact by addressing a core barrier: access to the community. It will provide technology that bridges mobility and communication gaps, enabling persons with disabilities to live more independently. Access to these tools will also help shift public perceptions. By building skills and confidence, the project empowers persons with disabilities to lead and foster inclusion.
This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).
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