RAIL Stakeholder Engagement with Persons with Disabilities to promote Inclusion Through Artificial Intelligence

The Responsible Artificial Intelligence Lab (RAIL), in collaboration with the Department of Health Promotion and Disability Studies, hosted a stakeholder engagement event on 29th November 2024 under the theme: “Promoting Inclusion Through Artificial Intelligence.”This initiative, aligned with the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 10 to reduce inequality, convened academia, researchers, persons with disabilities (PWDs), and advocates to explore innovative AI solutions to enhance accessibility and inclusivity.

Dr. Paul Okyere, Senior Lecturer and Head of the Department of Health Promotion and Disability Studies

Dr. Paul Okyere, the Head of the Department of Health Promotion and Disability Studies, welcomed participants to the facility. He reaffirmed KNUST’s unwavering commitment to fostering diversity and inclusivity. “We know that significant progress has been made in combating discrimination against persons with disabilities, but there is still a lot to be done to ensure that persons with disability are included in all facets of our development,” he remarked.

Prof. Jerry John Kponyo, Principal Investigator and Scientific Director, RAIL

Prof. Jerry John Kponyo, Principal Investigator and Scientific Director of RAIL, highlighted the lab’s mission to create AI-driven solutions that positively impact lives, particularly for PWDs. Drawing an analogy, he likened RAIL’s efforts to a mustard seed, emphasising the transformative potential of small beginnings when nurtured through collaborative research and innovation.

Mr. Andrew Gyimah Minkah, President of the Ghana Federation of Disability in the Ashanti Region, called on members of the disability community to actively engage with the initiative. “This opportunity can only succeed if we fully cooperate and ensure our inputs guide the project to meet our needs,” he remarked.

A hearing-impaired lady gave her input with sign language

An engaging open forum allowed stakeholders to discuss critical concerns and propose innovative ideas. Key topics included:

Audio-to-text integration and AI sign language tools to support deaf communities.
Localised language support to cater to Ghanaian dialects.
Innovations such as portable braille sensors, better prosthetic customisations, and support for burn survivors.
Specific needs for persons with albinism to improve accessibility and inclusion.

These discussions revealed the varied and unique needs within the disability community, laying the groundwork for informed AI research and development.

Rev.(Prof.) Frances Emily Owusu-Ansah encouraged PWDs to be resilient

Rev. (Prof.) Frances Emily Owusu-Ansah delivered an inspiring talk on “Resilience and Meaning-Making.” She defined resilience as the ability to adapt, withstand, and recover from life’s adversities. Encouraging attendees to reflect on their personal journeys, she posed thought-provoking questions:

What would others say about you?
What are your goals in life?
How do you interpret your experiences?
Who do you aspire to become?

Prof. Owusu-Ansah highlighted resilience as a cornerstone for overcoming life’s challenges, sharing stories of trailblazing PWDs, including Africa’s first deaf professor and a renowned lawyer with hearing impairments. These real-life examples showed the power of determination, self-acceptance, and positive thinking. Her actionable strategies for building resilience included adaptability, self-belief, and community support.

Dr. Enoch Acheampong spoke on the types of disabilities.

Dr. Enoch Acheampong, Senior Lecturer and Fellow in the Responsible AI and Inclusivity Theme, delved into “Disability Awareness: Barriers to Participation.” He highlighted the distinctions between impairments, activity limitations, and participation restrictions, stressing the need for appropriate language and sensitivity when discussing disability. His presentation served as a reminder of the social and environmental barriers that hinder PWDs’ active participation and outlined pathways to creating an inclusive society.

The event concluded with an interactive interview session featuring PWDs, who provided invaluable insights for the assistive technologies design process. Their individual experiences underscore the importance of designing AI tools that genuinely address the diverse needs of users. By addressing key challenges, exploring innovative solutions, and incorporating the voices of PWDs, the event reinforced the importance of responsible and collaborative AI development in achieving a more inclusive society.

As Prof. Kponyo aptly put it, “Let us work together to make the world a better place, leaving no one behind.”