NATIONAL NEWS - South Africa and China are set to deepen cooperation on disability inclusion, data, universal design, artificial intelligence (AI) and assistive technology as the two countries seek practical ways to improve the lives and rights of persons with disabilities.
The commitment was highlighted by Minister in the Presidency responsible for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities Sindisiwe Chikunga during a visit by a delegation from the China Disabled Persons’ Federation (CDPF) to South Africa on Tuesday.
Welcoming the Chinese delegation, Chikunga described the engagement as a continuation of high-level discussions held in China in October 2025.
She said the two countries were now moving from dialogue towards measurable and practical implementation.
The partnership is grounded in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and South Africa’s White Paper on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Disability inclusion must be part of government planning
Minister Chikunga says disability inclusion should be integrated into government planning, budgeting and digital transformation rather than treated as a stand-alone programme.
At the centre of the proposed cooperation is the recognition of persons with disabilities not simply as recipients of services, but as rights-holders, economic contributors, innovators and equal citizens.
Chikunga said disability inclusion should be incorporated across government programmes and development planning.
Using data to drive disability inclusion
South Africa is exploring a Disability Nerve Centre of Excellence to improve disability data and strengthen evidence-based planning.
Chikunga said governments need reliable data to understand who is being excluded, where barriers exist and whether policies are delivering meaningful results.
South Africa is therefore conceptualising a Disability Nerve Centre of Excellence as a G20 legacy project.
The proposed centre would work with Statistics South Africa, institutions of higher learning and other stakeholders involved in disability data.
South Africa also wants to exchange expertise with China on disability-disaggregated administrative data, census methodologies, digital platforms and the ethical use of data.
Universal design key to accessible infrastructure
South Africa and China could collaborate on universal design training and accessibility compliance across buildings, transport, housing and digital services.
Universal design has been identified as another key pillar of the proposed partnership.
Chikunga said accessibility should become a normal and non-negotiable part of national development rather than something added after infrastructure and services have already been designed.
This includes public buildings, transport networks, housing and digital platforms.
The two countries could also work together on training and knowledge exchanges involving universal design and compliance auditing.
Such programmes could benefit government officials, architects, urban planners and information technology professionals.
AI and assistive technology to support persons with disabilities
The proposed partnership could unlock cooperation on affordable AI-enabled technologies designed to improve mobility, communication, education and independent living.
Chikunga called for South Africa and China to explore ethical, affordable and locally relevant AI-enabled assistive technologies.
Potential areas of cooperation include:
- Smart wheelchairs and intelligent mobility devices.
- AI-supported speech-to-text and text-to-speech tools.
- Communication technologies.
- Navigation systems for blind and visually impaired people.
- Accessible digital interfaces.
- AI-supported learning tools.
- Rehabilitation technologies.
- Smart-home solutions.
However, Chikunga cautioned that innovation must remain accessible to the people who need it most.
She said the goal should be to combine innovation with inclusion, technology with dignity and artificial intelligence with human rights.
Accessible information essential for equal participation
Government says persons with disabilities cannot fully access essential services if information is not provided in formats they can understand and use.
Chikunga said accessibility must extend to government services, education, employment, justice and healthcare.
The proposed approach includes:
- Easy Read and plain-language communication.
- Braille and accessible print.
- Captioning and subtitling.
- South African Sign Language and other sign-language services.
- Audio descriptions.
- Accessible websites and mobile applications.
- Targeted accessible public information campaigns.
Seven-point action plan proposed
South Africa has proposed a seven-point framework aimed at turning the bilateral partnership into practical programmes and measurable outcomes.
The proposed action plan includes:
- Establishing a South Africa–China Disability Inclusion Knowledge Exchange Platform.
- Developing joint capacity-building programmes.
- Strengthening cooperation between research institutions and universities.
- Collaborating with technology developers and organisations of persons with disabilities.
- Jointly exploring AI and assistive technologies.
- Deepening cooperation on disability data and statistics.
- Developing joint programmes on universal design and accessibility.
The plan also proposes structured exchanges between learners with disabilities in pre-vocational and vocational programmes in South Africa and China to support skills development.
- SAnews.gov.za
‘We bring you the latest Garden Route, Hessequa, Karoo news’
