The Inclusive Tech Group (ITG) recently hosted its fourth annual Disability Hackathon (DI-HACK 2024), showcasing the transformative power of technology to create a more inclusive and accessible world for people with disabilities.
The three-day event, held at the Ghana Aviation Training Academy from October 23 to 25, 2024, brought together ten teams, each with at least one member with a disability, to compete in developing innovative solutions to real-world challenges.
This year’s DI-HACK, a testament to ITG’s ongoing dedication to fostering inclusivity and accessibility, resulted in a range of ingenious inventions designed to enhance the lives of individuals with disabilities.
The event was held in partnership with the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) Ghana Section, taking place alongside the International Conference on Adaptive Science and Technology (ICAST).
This collaboration reflected a shared commitment between DI-HACK and ICAST to harness the power of technology for societal betterment and sustainable development. The event themes, “Leveraging Technology for an Inclusive, Accessible, and Sustainable World” and “Leveraging Technology for Sustainable Development”, underscored this mission.
The winning team, Codecraft Mavericks, captivated judges with their innovative device, Steward, an AI-powered assistive technology designed to improve the independence of the visually impaired. Steward boasts a suite of features:
• Text Extraction: Uses computer vision to capture, read, and translate text, allowing users to access information independently.
• Object Detection: Identifies objects, colours, and surroundings through voice commands or button clicks, providing context and awareness.
• Companionship: Engages users in conversations on various topics, providing social interaction and reducing isolation.
• Navigation: Utilizes ultrasonic sensors and vibration motors for obstacle detection, enhancing safety and mobility.
• Virtual Assistant: A Natural Language Processing (NLP)-powered virtual assistant responds to commands and manages tasks like scheduling, reminders, and time-telling.
This comprehensive assistive device, which won them a prize of GH¢10,000, promises to revolutionize how visually impaired individuals navigate their surroundings with greater autonomy.
Team HandWave, the first runner-up, impressed with their groundbreaking app, Signify AI, which tackles a critical need for improved communication among individuals with autism, hearing impairments, and visual impairments. Signify AI leverages AI to bridge the communication gap between the deaf and hearing communities:
• Speech-to-Sign Language: Converts spoken words into corresponding sign language GIFs, displayed sequentially to help deaf or hard-of-hearing individuals understand conversations.
• Sign Language-to-Speech: Uses AI to detect and classify hand gestures, converting them into spoken words, assisting those who are deaf or mute in communicating effectively.
Signify AI also provides features to aid autistic individuals by translating images into speech. Team Signify AI walked away with GH¢7,000 for their innovative creation.
The second runner-up, developed Soronko, an innovative educational app designed for visually impaired students in Ghana. Soronko, meaning “unique” in Akan, aims to bridge the educational gap by offering tailored features, including:
• Page Summarization: Provides summaries of text for easier comprehension.
• Language Translation: Translates text into Twi, a Ghanaian local language, enhancing accessibility.
• Automated Quiz Generation: Creates quizzes to help students prepare for exams.
• AI Voice Assistant: Enables blind users to interact with the app hands-free. This app’s accessibility features also allow other developers to integrate the AI voice assistant into their own applications.
Tailored Innovation Labs received GH¢4,000 for their innovative and inclusive app.
DI-HACK 2024 demonstrated the power of inclusive innovation, showcasing the incredible talent and ingenuity within the disability community. These events not only fostered a culture of collaboration but also highlighted the potential of technology to create a more equitable and accessible world for everyone.
Call for Government Support
Joseph Aboagye, Project Coordinator at Inclusive Tech Group, emphasised the need for government support to translate these innovations into tangible solutions for special schools in Ghana.
“It is crucial for the government to start sponsoring DI-HACK so we can produce these ideas and assistive technologies in mass quantities to help special schools in Ghana free of charge and improve the lives of the children,” he stated.
Aboagye lamented that despite four successful DI-HACK events, ITG has yet to receive any support from the government. He stressed the urgent need for government intervention to develop these promising innovations and make them readily available to students with disabilities across the country.
The event was sponsored by Google, PwC-Ghana and IEEE Ghana Section. Other partners include the Ministry to Persons with Disabilities – the Church of Pentecost, Pattron, Bolingo and the Institute of Engineering and Technology, Ghana.
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SOURCE: DisabilityNewsGH.com