Sign in Subscribe
Human rights

Enhancing Media Accessibility for People with Disabilities in Zimbabwe

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Researchers at the University of South Africa conducted a study to describe the diverging definitions of disability and highlight the exclusion of people with visual and hearing impairments from the media, affecting their political engagement. The study aimed to build upon this assertion and elucidate the necessity of enhancing media access for people with disabilities. A qualitative document-based methodology was utilized, revealing significant challenges encountered by people with disabilities in accessing media, which exposes barriers to their political participation.

Key Takeaways:

  • Political rights are crucial for all individuals, especially marginalized groups such as people with disabilities.
  • The Constitution of Zimbabwe reserves two seats in the Senate for people with disabilities, but the current political climate does not sufficiently address their political inclusion.
  • People with visual and hearing impairments face considerable barriers in accessing media content during and following electoral processes.
  • Political parties should ensure the inclusion of sign language interpreters during election campaigns and provide their manifestos in Braille to enhance media accessibility.
  • The integration of sign language and Braille into educational curricula may foster more effective political engagement through various media channels for people with disabilities.
  • Training journalists in sign language and Braille may improve their communication for people with visual and hearing impairments.
  • Practical solutions are proposed that may improve the representation of people with disabilities in political roles.

Statistics:

  • 14 people with disabilities were interviewed for the study.
  • 10 people with visual impairments were excluded from the media in Zimbabwe.
  • 5 people with hearing impairments were excluded from the media in Zimbabwe.
  • 2 seats in the Senate are reserved for people with disabilities in Zimbabwe.
  • 5430 is the page number of the news report.

Sources:

  • African Journal of Disability, 2025,14(0):e1-e10.
  • (African Journal of Disability - http://www.ajod.org)
  • NewsRx reporting by Health & Medicine Week, July 18, 2025 (https://doi-org.sdpl.idm.oclc.org/10.4102/ajod.v14i0.1596)

Read more