Breaking Barriers: Overcoming Challenges of Disability and Digital Inclusion in Nepal

Author: Jalasa Sapkota
Published: 2023/03/03 - Updated: 2024/09/30
Publication Type: Informative
Topic: Blogs / Writings / Stories - Publications List

Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main

Synopsis: Lack of accessibility features in digital devices and websites, inadequate digital literacy, and limited access to the internet are some of the significant barriers to digital inclusion in Nepal. Despite the increasing utilization of technology, a significant proportion of individuals with disabilities in Nepal remain excluded from full participation in the digital realm.

Introduction

Breaking the Barrier: Overcoming the Challenges of Disability and Digital Inclusion in Nepal - Jalasa Sapkota.

The digital age has brought forth a plethora of opportunities and aspirations for individuals worldwide. However, it has also posed new challenges for certain marginalized groups, particularly those with visual impairments.

Main Item

Disability and Digital Inclusion in the Context of Nepal

The issue of disability and digital inclusion in Nepal is intricate and demanding. Despite the increasing utilization of technology, a significant proportion of individuals with disabilities in Nepal remain excluded from full participation in the digital realm. Digital inclusion encompasses equal accessibility and utilization of technology by individuals with disabilities. However, in Nepal, the widespread availability of digital technology remains limited, leading to the exclusion of people with disabilities from its benefits.

Let me elaborate on the challenges faced by individuals with visual impairments when it comes to accessing digital platforms by sharing my own personal experience.

Concerning accessible social media platforms, I have had my share of difficulties with the messaging app Viber. I vividly recall an instance during my post-graduate studies when we utilized Viber for our research work. We had multiple Viber groups and were given two days to finalize a research topic. One evening, a group member initiated a group call to discuss the topic. Unfortunately, I was at home alone and unable to accept the call due to Viber's inaccessible features for visually impaired individuals. Screen readers do not support the option to accept or decline calls, and this hindrance has yet to be addressed. Despite multiple attempts to include me in the group call, I was ultimately excluded from the important discussion due to the inaccessibility of Viber. If the developers had taken into consideration the importance of accessible communication and universal design, people with disabilities like myself would not have to experience such exclusion in such small cases.

What is Accessible Communication? Universal and Inclusive Design?

According to article 2 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, "Accessible Communication" includes languages, display of text, braille, tactile communication, large print, accessible multimedia as well as written, audio, plain-language, human-reader and augmentative and alternative modes, means and formats of communication, including accessible information and communication technology.

Universal design, on the other hand, is an approach to creating products and environments that are accessible and usable by people with a wide range of abilities, disabilities, and ages. The goal of universal design is to create products and spaces that are usable by the greatest number of people, regardless of their physical or cognitive abilities.

Similarly, inclusive design goes beyond universal design by considering the diversity of human needs, abilities, and cultures to integrate these diversities into the design process from the beginning. Inclusive design takes into account the different ways that people interact with products and environments and ensures that the design accommodates a wide range of perspectives, experiences, and requirements.

In both cases, the focus is on designing for the user and creating products and environments that are usable and accessible to everyone, regardless of their individual needs and abilities. This leads to a more equitable and inclusive society where everyone can participate and engage with the world around them.

The Challenges

Lack of accessibility features in digital devices and websites, inadequate digital literacy, and limited access to the internet are some of the major barriers to digital inclusion in Nepal. This is due to a combination of factors, including limited access to assistive technology, lack of digital literacy and training, and physical barriers such as inaccessible websites and digital devices. Another major challenge is the lack of awareness about the needs of people with disabilities and a lack of understanding about the importance of digital inclusion. Nepal's government and non-governmental organizations do not fully understand the importance of making their digital resources accessible to people with disabilities. As a result, many websites and digital tools are not designed with accessibility in mind.

Possible Recommendations

For this sensitive issue, awareness alone is not enough; it requires well-coordinated multi-sectoral reforms and cooperation. To address these challenges, it is important to prioritize digital inclusion in the policy and decision-making processes of organizations and government agencies in Nepal. The government and private sector must take steps to ensure that technology is designed and developed with accessibility in mind and that people with disabilities have the necessary skills and resources to take advantage of these opportunities. This can be done by promoting assistive technology, increasing digital literacy and training opportunities for people with disabilities, and ensuring that digital resources are designed and developed with accessibility in mind. Additionally, advocacy and awareness-raising initiatives can be crucial in promoting the importance of digital inclusion for people with disabilities in Nepal.

To be more precise, here are some possible recommendations for making digital platforms accessible for all, especially for people with disabilities:

• Use an inclusive design approach: Inclusive design means designing products, services, and platforms usable by as many people as possible, regardless of their abilities or disabilities. Consider diverse user needs and perspectives in the design and development process.
• Provide alternative formats: Provide alternative formats for content, such as text transcripts for videos, captions for audio, and descriptions for images. These can make the digital platform accessible to people with hearing, visual, and cognitive disabilities.
• Use clear and concise language: Avoid using complex language or jargon that can be difficult to understand. Use simple and clear language, and avoid using terms that could be confusing or unfamiliar to users.
• Make links and buttons visible: Ensure that links and buttons are visible and distinguishable from other content on the page. This can make any digital platform accessible to people with visual disabilities who rely on screen readers.
• Provide descriptive labels: Provide descriptive labels for form fields, buttons, and other interactive elements on the digital platform. This can make your platform accessible to people with visual disabilities who rely on screen readers or other assistive technologies.
• Ensure compatibility with assistive technologies: Ensure the digital platform is compatible with assistive technologies like screen readers, magnifiers, and voice recognition software. This can make the digital platform accessible to people with various disabilities.
• Test with people with disabilities: Test those digital platforms with people with disabilities to identify any accessibility issues and to get feedback on how to improve accessibility.
• Follow accessibility guidelines: Follow accessibility guidelines such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) to ensure that digital platforms meet recognized accessibility standards.

By implementing these recommendations, we can make our digital platform more accessible for all users, including those with disabilities, and create a more inclusive user experience.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the digital divide between those with disabilities and those without in Nepal remains a significant challenge. Despite some progress in recent years, limited access to technology and the internet, lack of digital literacy, and inadequate infrastructure and policies continue to hinder digital inclusion for individuals with disabilities. It is imperative that the government, private sector, and non-profit organizations work together to close the gap and ensure equal access to technology and the benefits it brings to all citizens, including those with disabilities. Nepal can move towards a more inclusive and equitable digital future by addressing these challenges. For this, we need to internalize the fact that accessible digital platforms are not a luxury but a need. With conscious effort into a more inclusive digital world, we will slowly but gradually create real inclusion and equality, making this virtual world accessible and approachable for all.

Author Credentials: Jalasa Sapkota is a visually impaired writer, researcher, and advocate for disability inclusion. With a background as a former Research Assistant at Diverse Patterns Limited and now as a Resource Person for the International Council for Education of People with Visual Impairment's (ICEVI) Gender Equality and Women's Rights Task Group, she has dedicated her career to advancing the rights and opportunities of persons with disabilities. Visit Jalasa's biography for comprehensive insights into her background, expertise, and accomplishments.