A mobile technology system is being implemented by the Southern African Federation for the disabled (SAFOD), in partnership with the African Network for Evidence-to-Action in Disability (AfriNEAD), and the University of Washington, to collect and disseminate information on the availability of Assistive Technology (AT) within 10 countries in Southern Africa. The system is called AT-Info-Map App.

The AT-Info-Map was initially funded for three years (March 2016 to February 2019) by the Google Impact Challenge as one of the “big ideas that will use technology to expand opportunity and independence for people with disabilities”. Currently, this project works with local disability organizations to address gaps in AT availability. By using this mobile application, SAFOD is capturing and organizing information about AT suppliers and service providers in the region.

AT includes a wide range of technology products that are used to support persons with disabilities as they work, learn, play and live in their communities. Some examples of AT include crutches, wheelchairs, ramps, hearing aids, Braille printers, adaptive software, communication devices, just to mention a few.

With the AT-Info-Map mobile application, you can view suppliers and service providers of assistive technology in ten countries in Southern Africa, namely Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Southern, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe.