With the main theme, “Wake up and do it for yourself: To promote and advance local AT solutions for Southern Africa,” the Southern Africa Assistive Technology EXPO (SAATE) is part of the Assistive Technology Information Mapping Project (AT-Info-Map),
a project of the Southern Africa Federation of the Disabled (SAFOD) in partnership with the University of Washington and the African Network for Evidence–to–Action in Disability (AfriNEAD), established to map the current availability of different types of AT in ten countries in Southern Africa using a mobile application and web-based database. The project works with local disability organizations to address gaps in AT availability. Attainment of most human rights affecting persons with disabilities may not be achieved without high-quality affordable assistive products and/or information thereof globally.
The SAATE becomes an important component of the project seeking to bring together practical problem solvers, AT suppliers and service providers from Southern Africa and beyond. The event will also aim to facilitate improvements in the AT sector broadly through raising awareness about the need for better AT solutions and/or products particularly in Southern Africa. The first SAATE event will be held at Ramatex Conference Centre in Windhoek, Namibia, from 11 to 13 May 2020, and registration to exhibit AT products in Namibia for both free and premium exhibitors is underway while those who want to present papers or facilitate a workshop, roundtable lecture, or other events can also submit abstracts online by 31 January 2020. In addition, those interested to view the exhibitions, or participate in assistive technology workshops, roundtables, lectures, and/or other side events can buy tickets here.