Innovate for Disability Hackathon Enters Day 3

Yesterday marked the second day of the ‘innovate for disability’ hackathon.

The 5 day event commenced on Monday with over 40 registered participants from Makerere and Nkumba University.

According to the organizers, the ‘innovate for the disability’ Hackathon seeks to engage computer geniuses into creating assistive technologies to help in sustainable lifestyles of Persons with Disabilities through boosting the access and optimal usage of resources without being limited by disability.

Nkumba University team headed by Nabagereka Ann, a second year ICT students says that she is optimistic her team will come up with the most flexibly and affordable auto sensor systems that will be useful in guiding the blind by detecting obstacles. “We indulged into a lot of research, our prototype has been tested and with it’s ability to tell the magnitude of the obstacle, I think it will help our target populace lessen the burden and risks involved in tracing their way through,” said Nabagereka.

Sempiija Isack, a computer science student from Makerere University noted that, “it is true that the digital literacy levels are law, however, the little we can do is improvise for those who can access them to ease there mobility, we are working on a prototype that will ease the life of the lame, if connected to the door, the sensor can help detect the presence of the disabled person and the door automatically opens.”

8Tech Consultant and Makerere University Lecturer, Dr. Drake Patrick Mirembe asserted that, “Inclusiveness is expensive, we may not be in position to solve everyone’s problem but we are certain that the innovations here will help reduce the divide by whatever margin it can realise.”

Due to the existing digital divide among persons with Disabilities in Uganda, Uganda Communications Commission in collaboration with 8tech and National Union of Disabled persons of Uganda have put together resources to enhance knowledge management, ICT Adaption and access to E-services for people with disabilities in Uganda.

Through innovations like these, partners are certain challenges faced by persons with disabilities will be lessened after creation of assistive technologies.