Kampala — Light for the World Uganda, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, today launched an online platform, Cap-Able, which will enable higher education institutions, primarily Scholars Program partner universities, to become more disability inclusive.
Cap-Able is a digital toolkit designed to equip administrators, lecturers, and management with the information, knowledge, and tools to create more inclusive learning institutions. The toolkit offers best practices for higher education institutions to improve enrollment and learning practices, create inclusive learning environments, and help young people effectively transition to the world of work. It is a one-stop-shop for educational material on disability inclusion in higher education.
[WATCH VIDEO: Disability Inclusion Toolkit for Higher Education]
"We need t o come together and explore every avenue to facilitate access to education for people with disabilities," said Musa Mwambu, a Disability Inclusion Advisor at Light for the World Uganda. "Through strong partnerships like the one between Light for the World and the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, we can swiftly deploy innovative, scalable solutions for students and educators. The accessibility nature of Cap-Able is a powerful reminder of what we can achieve together as we bridge the education gap for people with disabilities."
Cap-Able will provide key resources to Scholars Program partners, educators, and students on understanding disability and inclusion, detailed information on different types of disabilities and inclusion needs, practical guidance on disability inclusion throughout the different phases of the university experience, as well as a range of educational materials, quizzes, and games. The platform also provides an opportunity for users to share their experiences and other best practices on disability inclusion.
Creating prosperity across the continent requires leadersof all backgrounds and experiences who will work to ensure that emerging economic and social benefits are available to all. Equity and inclusion are central to the realization of the Mastercard Foundation's vision and mission. It is reflected in the Foundation's strategy, Young Africa Works, which has set out to enable 30 million youth, particularly women, to access dignified and fulfilling work by 2030.
" The Scholars Program seeks to inspire an inclusive approach in which all young people, no matter their starting point in life, have an equal opportunity to succeed, " said Andre Okunzuwa,
Program Partner, Mastercard Foundation. " By leveraging technology, our hope is that Cap-Able will contribute to ensuring equitable access for all young people, including those underrepresented in higher education by supporting institutions to access the knowledge needed to put disability inclusion into action. "
The Cap-Able website has been designed to ensure a user-friendly experience with robust navigation and functionality features. Created with the user experience in mind, the website includes an accessibility menu that will ensure users are able to customize anything and control
everything based on their unique accessibility needs — preferred button types, language and locales, size, position, colour, and more.
Cap-Able, while designed to support partners of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, can also be useful to other institutions, staff, and students who are interested in taking on a more active role in creating an enabling environment for people with disabilities.
For more information on Cap-Able and to view the site, please visit www.cap-able.com
About the Mastercard Foundation
The Mastercard Foundation works with visionary organizations to enable young people in Africa and in Indigenous communities in Canada to access dignified and fulfilling work. It is one of the largest, private foundations in the world with a mission to advance learning and promote financial inclusion to create an inclusive and equitable world. The Foundation was created by Mastercard in 2006 as an independent organization with its own Board of Directors and management. For more information on the Foundation, please visit: www.mastercardfdn.org
About Light for The World
Light for the World is a global disability and development organization aiming to contribute to an inclusive society where no one is left behind. Our mission is to contribute to a world in which persons with disabilities fully exercise their rights in line with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and Sustainable Development Goals. Persons with disabilities living in poverty are amongst the most excluded groups in society. They are at the center of our work, and they drive the change. Light for the World, as the Disability Inclusion partner of the Scholars Program, supports the Scholars Program's expansion to reach youth with disabilities as well as the wider inclusion agenda within the Program – which also encompasses the inclusion of female scholars and those from displaced populations, working closely together with other technical partners.
Media Contacts
Light for the World
Emilly Niringiye, Information and Communication Officer
M: +256779884656
E: e.niringiye@light-for-the-world.org
Andera Delfyna, Monitoring, Evaluation and Knowledge Manager
M: +256 773911769
E: A.Delfyna@light-for-the-world.org
Mastercard Foundation
Enock Gyan, Lead, Scholars Program Communications
M: +233(0) 245445631
E: egyan@mastercardfdn.org
