Empowering Disabled Students Through Teaching Tech: The TechAble Training Initiative at KNUST

What Is TechAble?

The TechAble training initiative at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Ghana began in February 2025 and ran for eight weeks. Aimed at supporting students with disabilities, TechAble provided mentorship and high-quality instruction for three courses: web development, graphic design, and digital marketing. The teaching and mentorship demystified commonly used programs and tools in the three course topics, allowing students to complement what they learned in class with practical skill. Although the university does offer many student-led events for building digital skills outside the classroom, accessibility often gets overlooked, and this program intended to bridge the gap for disabled students.

With grant funding from the IEEE Computer Society Broadening Participation Fund, and the collaboration of skilled software engineers, graphic designers, content creators, and digital marketers, the program offered more than just technical training to students. By introducing them to accessibility tools, using technology to help address common accessibility barriers, the students were empowered to continue to develop their skills and overcome challenges even after the program.

Who Participated in TechAble?

The numbers at-a-glance:

• 44 Participants
• 26 Mentors
• 7 Instructors
• 3 Tracks

Special thanks to members of the IEEE Ghana Section Delegation (i.e. the Section Chair and the Membership Development Chair), as well as the Executive Committee of the UMaT IEEE Student Branch.

What Did TechAble Accomplish?

Watch the video below to listen to the students who participated.

Follow the links to see the testimonial videos from two volunteers: Sedem and Daniel.

Why Broaden Participation in Computer Science and Engineering?

The IEEE Computer Society Broadening Participation Fund provides grants for projects that work to encourage participation in computing from a broader audience. The talents and perspectives of people from a variety of disciplinary backgrounds is necessary to advance technological innovation and excellence for the benefit of humanity.

Learn more about the fund, its mission, how to donate, and how to apply for funding on the Broadening Participation page.