S3 E4: #Tech4Rights: The use of assistive technologies for persons with disabilities

<p>In conversation with Mr Silver Francis Oonyu and Mr Wilson Macharia</p> <p>The annual campaign spearheaded by the <a href='https://www.chr.up.ac.za/'>Centre for Human Rights</a>, <a href='https://www.up.ac.za/'>University of Pretoria</a> is <a href='https://www.chr.up.ac.za/about-tech4rights'>#Tech4Rights: Rethinking a human rights-based approach to new technologies in Africa</a>. The #Tech4Rights campaign focuses on the impact of new technologies on different aspects of human interaction and the impact of technology on human rights. This campaign has a series of <a href='https://www.chr.up.ac.za/tech4rights-activities-planned'>activities</a> that investigate technology in various specific areas, including assistive technologies and persons with disabilities. <a href='https://www.atia.org/home/at-resources/what-is-at/'>Assistive technology</a> includes products, equipment and systems that enhance learning, working, and daily living for persons with disabilities. Some common assistive technologies include but are not limited to hearing aids used to enhance hearing; cognitive aids often used by people with memory and attention challenges; and voice recognition programmes, screen readers, and screen magnifiers used by people with mobility and sensory impairments. In this episode we have Mr Wilson Macharia, an LLD candidate working at the Centre for Human Rights, who is in conversation with Mr Silver Francis Oonyu, a Disability Rights Advocate from Uganda. Although from different national and professional backgrounds, both Wilson and Silver use assistive technology, and shall be discussing their experiences as users with visual impairment. Notably, assistive technologies vary depending on the type and degree of one’s disability. Therefore, although this episode may touch on various types of assistive devices, the main focus shall be on those used by persons with visual impairment.</p> <p>Legally blind, but privileged to be visionary, Mr Silver Francis Oonyu is passionate about inclusive education. He is a t