By Oriri Peter

Datalead Africa hosted the Deaf-in-Tech convening which brought together stakeholders to promote gender and disability inclusion in employment.

According to a statement signed by the Company’s DEI programs and partnerships coordinator, Oluwole Sefunmi, he noted that women and persons with disabilities are key groups who face discrimination and stereotyping in the workforce.The event which was sponsored by Action-aid through the Global Affairs Canada funded Women’s Voice and Leadership project highlighted issues that women and persons with disabilities face in securing employment and explored practical ways in mitigating them.

Stakeholders from the public sector, private corporations, recruitment agencies and the international community, spoke about policies and commitments in promoting an inclusive community in tech, employment and higher education.

Our speakers and panelists x-rayed limitingh was stereotypes faced by PWDs in the communities and how partnerships and collaborations can better strengthen inclusion when the community work together. Dr Osasuyi Idirisu, the Executive Director of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) Policy Innovation Center, highlighted that inclusion should not be treated as an icing on the cake but as an integral part of our commitment as a community.

Representing the Australian High Commission, Calumn Walker enjoined partners and PWDs to always speak out when they feel inclusion is not being prioritized by organizations. He emphasized on the commitment of the Australian High Commission to promote disability inclusion in the work they do.

In the panel sessions Grace Jerry from Inclusive Friends Association, Hellen Beyioku-Alase from Deaf Women Aloud Initiative (DWAI) and Rasak Adekoya from Sightsavers spoke on the importance of skills in promoting disability inclusion in the workforce.


They also underscored the need for inclusion in higher education institutions especially in STEM related courses.


The Deaf-in-Tech project works to strengthen disability inclusion through training, community building, connection of skilled PWDs to gainful employment and advocacy for disability inclusive policies.