Region: East Asia, West Asia, Africa
2023-2024
In 2023 and 2024, ICEVI convened three significant regional conferences, each addressing critical aspects of inclusive education for individuals with visual impairments.
The ICEVI East Asia Regional Conference took place in September 2023, in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, under the theme Reasonable Accommodation and Accessibility in Education of Children with Visual Impairment. This event emphasized the importance of inclusive education policies, the role of technology in enhancing learning experiences, and the active participation of youth with visual impairments in shaping educational practices.
The inaugural ICEVI Africa Conference, entitled The Future of Education for People with Visual Impairment, was held in October 2023 in Nairobi, Kenya. The conference brought together stakeholders to discuss community-based rehabilitation, lifelong learning, and the integration of technology to improve educational outcomes for individuals with visual impairment across the continent.
In February 2024, the ICEVI West Asia Regional Conference convened in Dhaka, Bangladesh, marking the first time the event was hosted in the country. With the theme Enhancing Access for Leaving No One Behind in Education, the conference highlighted the necessity of inclusive educational strategies, policy development, and the empowerment of individuals with visual impairments through active participation in all sessions.
Impact: Collectively, these regional conferences have significantly advanced the global discourse on inclusive education by fostering collaboration among educators, policymakers, and individuals with visual impairment. Participants contributed to developing inclusive policies, promoting the adoption of assistive technologies, and shaping strategies for equal educational opportunities across diverse regions. Insights and connections from these conferences will inform ICEVI’s ongoing advocacy and regional initiatives, reinforcing commitments under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and supporting the goal of inclusive, quality education for all.
Co-developed with ICEVI East Asia, ICEVI Africa, and ICEVI West Asia in collaboration with national host institutions and OPDs.
