South Africa and China to Deepen Cooperation on Disability Inclusion, AI and Assistive Technology
Cape Town, The Gulf Observer: South Africa and China are set to strengthen bilateral cooperation on disability inclusion, data systems, universal design, artificial intelligence (AI) and assistive technologies as the two countries seek practical measures to advance the rights, dignity and quality of life 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 meeting with a delegation from the China Disabled Persons’ Federation (CDPF) in South Africa on Tuesday.
Welcoming the Chinese delegation, Chikunga described the engagement as an important continuation of high-level discussions held in China in October 2025. She said the two countries were now seeking to move beyond dialogue toward measurable and practical implementation.
The cooperation is anchored 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.
Chikunga emphasized that disability inclusion should not be treated as a stand-alone programme, but should instead be integrated into government planning, budgeting and digital transformation initiatives.
She stressed that persons with disabilities should be recognised not merely as recipients of services, but as rights-holders, economic contributors, innovators and equal citizens.
Data at the Centre of Inclusive Development
Chikunga said effective disability-inclusive planning requires governments to identify who is being excluded, where barriers exist and whether policies are delivering meaningful results.
In this regard, South Africa is conceptualising a Disability Nerve Centre of Excellence as a potential G20 legacy project. The proposed centre would work with Statistics South Africa, institutions of higher learning and other stakeholders involved in disability-related data.
South Africa also intends to exchange expertise with China on disability-disaggregated administrative data, census methodologies, digital platforms and the ethical use of data to support evidence-based policymaking.
Universal design was identified as another key area for bilateral cooperation.
According to Chikunga, accessibility should become a standard and non-negotiable component of national development rather than an element added after infrastructure and services have already been designed.
The approach would cover public buildings, transportation networks, housing and digital platforms. South Africa and China could also undertake joint training and knowledge exchanges on universal design and compliance auditing involving government officials, architects, urban planners and information technology professionals.
Exploring AI-Powered Assistive Technologies
The Minister further called for cooperation in developing ethical, affordable and locally relevant AI-enabled assistive technologies.
Potential areas include smart wheelchairs and intelligent mobility devices, AI-supported speech-to-text and text-to-speech technologies, communication tools, navigation systems for blind and visually impaired people, accessible digital interfaces, AI-assisted learning solutions, rehabilitation technologies and smart-home systems.
Chikunga cautioned, however, that technological innovation must remain accessible to the people who need it most.
She said the objective should be to combine innovation with inclusion, technology with dignity and artificial intelligence with human rights.
The Minister also underlined the importance of accessible communication, noting that people cannot fully access government services, education, employment, justice or healthcare when information is not presented in formats they can understand and use.
The proposed measures include 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, as well as targeted public information campaigns.
Seven-Point Action Plan
To translate the bilateral engagement into concrete results, Chikunga proposed a seven-point action plan focused on practical cooperation.
The framework includes establishing a South Africa–China Disability Inclusion Knowledge Exchange Platform, launching joint capacity-building programmes, strengthening cooperation between research institutions and universities, and developing partnerships with technology developers and organisations of persons with disabilities.
It also calls for joint exploration of AI and assistive technologies, deeper cooperation on disability data and statistics, and joint programmes focused on universal design and accessibility.
The proposed plan further envisages structured exchanges between learners with disabilities participating in pre-vocational and vocational programmes in South Africa and China, with the aim of strengthening skills development and expanding opportunities for economic participation.
The initiative reflects the two countries’ shared ambition to make disability inclusion an integral component of sustainable development and technological progress, while ensuring that advances in innovation and digital transformation translate into greater equality, accessibility and dignity for persons with disabilities.
