Rwanda Union of the Blind Visits Musanze District to discuss Website and social Media Accessibility for the Visually Impaired

Musanze— In a significant step toward promoting digital inclusion, representatives from the Rwanda Union of the Blind (RUB) recently visited Musanze District to assess and enhance the accessibility of the district’s online platforms for blind and visually impaired persoons.

The visit was part of RUB’s broader initiative to collaborate with districts across the country, as announced during the recent National Policy Dialogue on Disability and Digital Inclusion.

During the visit, the RUB team evaluated the current state of the district’s website and social media platforms, focusing on features that could be improved to support users with visual impairments. They discussed implementing assistive technologies such as screen readers, keyboard navigation, and alternative text for images to ensure seamless access to vital information.

Last month, during the National Policy Dialogue on Disability and Digital Inclusion, Dr. Beth Nasiforo Mukarwego, Chairperson of RUB, announced that RUB will collaborate with at least two districts in each province to enhance website accessibility for blind users, ensuring they have equal access to vital information.

“We plan to visit these districts to verify that their websites are accessible. It’s crucial for blind individuals to have the same access to information as everyone else. We will work closely with district IT teams to achieve this,” Dr. Mukarwego emphasized. The policy dialogue brought together Disability Mainstreaming Officers from all districts and leaders of the Rwanda Union of the Blind, providing a platform to share best practices and reaffirm a collective commitment to advancing inclusion.

Observers consider these commitments a significant step forward in Rwanda’s efforts toward inclusive governance and equal opportunities for all citizens.