We were honoured to be joined by Joshua Josa, head of the USAID’s disability Inclusion portfolio, who framed the challenge for us at the start of the event.

More than 93 million children globally have a disability and that number grows to be more than 300 million if we include the youth population. At least 90% of those living in low resource settings do not attend school. Even for those who do attend school, there is still a massive gap in learning outcomes.

The reasons for this are attributed to a multitude of barriers that amplify one another – lack of transportation, infrastructure, inadequate teacher training and learning supports, lack of quality learning resources and above all else individuals’ negative attitudes and beliefs about persons with disabilities.

Unfortunately, COVID19 and following school closures,  have exacerbated these challenges. Countries are all left with similar questions on how to provide safe, equitable and inclusive access to continuous distance learning opportunities, even as schools remain closed, while also supporting parents and teachers in their new and complicated roles.

Fortunately, with any crisis there comes an opportunity to make a positive change!  This pandemic offers great potential for that profound cultural shift in the education system to happen and for people to embrace the principles of Universal Design for Learning for the benefit of all. If done well, EdTech can be an equalizing and enabling force for equitable and inclusive education.