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The Zambia Federation of Disability Organisations (ZAFOD) has raised concern that only 16 percent of persons with disabilities in Zambia have access to Assistive Technologies (AT), despite a total disability population of approximately 2.9 million.
ZAFOD Federal Director, Justin Bbakali, has called for the development of practical and sustainable strategies to make assistive technologies more accessible and affordable to the remaining 84 percent of persons with disabilities.
Speaking to Zambia Monitor on the sidelines of the World Day of Assistive Technologies commemoration held at Golf View Hotel in Lusaka on Wednesday, Bbakali said many persons with disabilities continue to face major challenges in accessing essential assistive devices due to high costs and limited availability.
“Without these tools, persons with disabilities are denied the opportunity to live independently, access education, earn a living, and participate meaningfully in the governance and development of our country,” he said.
Assistive technologies—such as mobility aids, hearing devices, screen readers, and prosthetics—play a critical role in dismantling barriers faced by persons with disabilities, Bbakali emphasized.
He noted that these tools enhance individual capabilities and promote inclusion across key sectors such as education, health, employment, and political engagement.
“Access to such technologies directly supports Zambia’s obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), to which the country is a signatory,” Bbakali said.
He urged the government and relevant stakeholders to actively promote assistive technologies, stressing that this is essential for achieving inclusive national development.
Bbakali called on the government to prioritize disability-inclusive policies and allocate adequate resources for the procurement and distribution of assistive devices.
“Current efforts are far from sufficient to meet the growing demand among persons with disabilities in Zambia,” he said.
He also appealed to development partners to enhance support for disability-related initiatives, particularly those focused on assistive technology. He encouraged collaboration with local organizations and innovators to find affordable, context-specific solutions.
Bbakali further advocated for the creation of public-private partnerships (PPPs) that could promote innovation, reduce production costs, and increase the availability of assistive devices on the Zambian market.
“Local entrepreneurs should be incentivized to design and manufacture assistive tools using locally available materials—not only to reduce costs but also to create jobs and drive sustainable development,” he added.
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