Digital disability system faces rural roadblocks
Namibia has introduced a digital disability assessment system, but advocates warn that rural connectivity issues and lack of follow-up support may hinder its effectiveness. The system aims to streamline assessments, but critics argue it must be paired with tangible social services.
Why it matters
It illustrates the 'digital divide' in developing nations where technological solutions can inadvertently exclude marginalized populations without proper infrastructure.
Namibia’s health ministry has launched a digital disability assessment system, but advocates warn that poor rural connectivity and a lack of follow-up support could create new barriers.
The Namibian Organisation of Youth with Disabilities has warned that this, along with inadequate equipment and limited digital skills could create new barriers, particularly in rural areas.
Spokesperson Otto Gotlieb has welcomed the digital shift but says its success would depend on whether the system is accessible beyond major urban centres.
“For a young person living in a remote area, travelling to a regional or central facility for an assessment sometimes means paying for transport or spending money on accommodation and food and potentially losing income, or missing classes for those who are students,” he says.
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