Unlocking the digital realm for people with disabilities

An RMIT-led project has provided digital literacy training to nearly 400 Vietnamese people with disabilities in 23 provinces, accompanied by research and a series of policy dialogues aimed at advocating social inclusion in information and communication technologies. 

The Inclusive Digital Literacy Project is led by Dr Abdul Rohman and Ms Diem-Trang Vo from RMIT Vietnam’s School of Communication & Design. Running from June to December 2023 and funded by Traveloka, its primary goal is to ensure that people with disabilities (PwDs) can access the digital domain equitably and securely, harnessing its benefits to the fullest.

Dr Rohman highlighted, “In an age where most of us are incessantly glued to our mobile phones, laptops, smartwatches, and a slew of other digital technologies, it’s easy to forget about the people in society who might be less connected to the rest of us.”

“Not only are PwDs often unable to afford digital devices, the apps and devices usually lack accessible features. Issues surrounding privacy and personal security breaches stemming from the rise of AI complicate matters even further,” he added.

Digital literacy for PwDs

Improving infrastructure for internet connectivity and access to digital devices is a logical starting point to bridge the current digital divide. However, empowering PwDs with the digital literacy skills required to protect themselves is equally important.

Dr Rohman said, “While many people might dismiss or overlook the need to protect their personal data, these skills can be wholly inaccessible to PwDs, making it a foregone conclusion that they are at risk not by choice, but by circumstance.”

As part of the Inclusive Digital Literacy Project, Training of Trainers (ToTs) sessions were offered to 27 PwDs to enhance their knowledge, and leadership and community engagement skills, enabling them to disseminate digital literacy skills among fellow PwDs in their local communities.

Subsequently, these trainers conducted Training of Communities (ToCs) sessions on digital literacy for nearly 400 PwDs, helping them to confidently navigate the digital realm, efficiently manage their businesses, and safeguard their online privacy. 

Participants shared their excitement, noting that the training has made them more vigilant when engaging online. “By joining the training, I learned a lot of new knowledge about online scams that surprised me. From now on, I'll be more cautious about installing unclear applications or sharing personal information on social media,” a participant with low vision reflected.

Shaping policy and promoting inclusivity

The project extended beyond training, delving into research through 35 in-depth interviews with leaders of Organisations of People with Disabilities (OPD) and focus group discussions with PwDs residing in 23 provinces in Vietnam.

The resulting insights formed the basis for a policy dialogue series in Ha Nam, Da Nang, Hanoi, and Ho Chi Minh City with representatives from government ministries and member organisations affiliated with local OPDs.

In the dialogues, representatives from various stakeholders discussed concerns and challenges related to technology and its impact on PwDs.

Mr Nguyen Van Quoc, Director of the Da Nang Information Management and Supervision Centre shared his observation that certain websites and online platforms of city departments and agencies have incorporated disability-friendly features like font size adjustment, text-to-speech conversion, and audiobooks tailored for people with low vision.

Nonetheless, the availability of such portals remains somewhat restricted. Mr Quoc thus urged the stakeholders to not disregard the challenges that necessitate support to harness information technology and digitisation more effectively in the service of PwDs.

The participants also proposed actionable solutions to facilitate the access of PwDs to information and the use of information technologies to improve their quality of life.

RMIT research assistant Nguyen Thu Phuong, who is also a member of an OPD in Hanoi, cited the positive outcome from the Da Nang policy dialogue as a highlight. The dialogue prompted the city’s People's Committee to take swift action by sending an official letter to the pertinent departments, asking them to examine and implement the proposed recommendations.

Among others, these include creating a dedicated directory of disability-accessible facilities like hotels, hospitals, and restaurants, and integrating hospital software with disability-assistive devices and applications, such as screen readers or sound amplification.

“This shows that open policy dialogues are contributing to progress. They can be effective platforms where PwDs’ voices are heard and acted upon to create positive change,” Ms Phuong said.

AI literacy – next on the horizon

While strides have been made, the quest for further progress continues. As AI becomes more prevalent, the research team emphasises the need to make sure that this game-changing technology does not exacerbate the systemic discrimination against PwDs.

“Like many other technologies, AI-enabled technologies are often inaccessible and unaffordable to PwDs. Those who can access and afford these technologies are often unaware of the data they relinquish in exchange,” Dr Rohman said.

He remarked that many AI-enabled technologies are developed without any sense of accessibility from the designing stage to the end-user stage, and are based on data which represents general norms, further marginalising PwDs as outliers.

“Though building references and data into the development process is the easiest answer, the most meaningful solution would include involving PwDs in each step of the developmental process – instead of accommodating them as an afterthought,” he concluded.

Story: Ngoc Hoang

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