Priorities, Technology & Power: Co-Designing an Inclusive Transit Agenda in Kampala, Uganda

Title of the Paper

Priorities, Technology, & Power: Co-Designing an Inclusive Transit Agenda in Kampala, Uganda

Paper Information

• Subject Area: Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Accessible Design, Transportation Studies
• Keywords: Power dynamics, people with disabilities, accessibility, value-sensitive design, stakeholder tokens method, Uganda, Kampala, Global South

Research Background and Problem Statement

• What problems or challenges did the authors identify?

  • There is a lack of representation of people with disabilities in HCI research, particularly in the Global South, including Africa.
  • The widespread adoption of new shared mobility technologies (e.g., ride-sharing platforms) has overlooked the transportation and accessibility needs of people with disabilities.
  • Uganda's transportation infrastructure and technologies exhibit significant deficiencies in inclusivity, such as a lack of roadside facilities, inaccessible vehicles, and low public awareness of disability issues.
  • Government and non-governmental organizations often fail to meaningfully engage in policymaking and service delivery for people with disabilities.

• Why is this issue important?

  • The design and implementation of accessible and inclusive technologies directly impact the equity and dignity of people with disabilities.
  • As shared mobility technologies and smart city policies evolve, existing socio-cultural biases risk being further entrenched through technology.
  • Kampala's ongoing transition towards becoming a "smart city" presents a critical opportunity to transform its transportation system into an accessible infrastructure.

• Research Motivation and Related Work

  • The authors draw on methodologies such as the "value-sensitive design" framework and the "Manifesto for Disability Interaction," emphasizing the prioritization of human values in the design process.
  • Building on earlier research, they note that the effectiveness of assistive technologies in the Global South is constrained by issues of cost, cultural context, and technological adaptation.
  • The authors aim to collaborate with local communities to deeply understand the needs and values of key stakeholders, thereby contributing to research in the context of the Global South.

Solutions

• What methods or solutions did the authors propose?

  1. Employing the "Stakeholder Tokens Method" to map the stakeholder relationships within the disability ecosystem.
  2. Designing and conducting two co-design activities: prioritization of issues and collaborative generation of stakeholder ecosystem maps.
  3. Thoroughly documenting power dynamics among stakeholders and exploring the potential role of technology in enhancing inclusivity.

• What is innovative about this solution?

  • The introduction of a three-tier stakeholder classification model for the disability transportation ecosystem: "core-periphery-power."
  • Identification of non-traditional yet critical stakeholders (e.g., traffic police, motorcycle taxi drivers) who are often overlooked in policymaking and resource allocation.
  • Contextualized modeling of the ecosystem using real-world scenarios and participant experiences.

• What are the implementation steps and key technologies used?

  1. Participant Recruitment and Interviews: Recruiting disability advocates in Kampala, Uganda, via social media and conducting semi-structured online interviews.
  2. Design Exercise 1: Problem Prioritization List ("Magic Wand"):
     • Participants described their top-priority transportation challenges and envisioned technological solutions.
  3. Design Exercise 2: Stakeholder Ecosystem Mapping:
     • Using the "Stakeholder Tokens Method," participants collaboratively mapped the existing ecosystem, highlighting key relationships and potential power dynamics.
  4. Data Analysis:
     • Thematic analysis was conducted to categorize interview content.
     • Individual stakeholder maps were merged into a comprehensive map, and relationships were analyzed.

Research Outcomes

• What specific outcomes were achieved?

  1. Development of a disability transportation ecosystem centered on the core values of "inclusivity, mobility, and safety."
  2. Identification of core and peripheral stakeholders, as well as non-traditional power brokers (e.g., traffic police, drivers) influencing system dynamics.
  3. Exploration of technology's potential to enhance mobility for people with disabilities, along with proposals for new assistive technologies (e.g., smart wheelchairs, audio traffic signals).

• What advantages does this solution have compared to existing ones?

  • It goes beyond traditional power structures (e.g., government agencies and aid organizations) to recognize the importance of grassroots operational groups.
  • It embeds the design and implementation of technology within complex socio-political and cultural contexts, avoiding the pitfalls of simplistic "tech solutionism."

• What were the experimental or evaluation results?

  • A detailed relationship map of 22 stakeholders within the disability ecosystem was created.
  • Participants emphasized priority needs such as infrastructure improvements (e.g., accessible roads and taxis) and raising public awareness.
  • Unexplored areas were identified, such as the role of families of people with disabilities in education and the influence of local government policies.

• Limitations and Future Directions

  • Limitations:
    • The recruitment process excluded groups lacking internet access or familiarity with online tools, potentially underestimating the role of grassroots actors.
    • Data was limited to the Kampala region, which may not fully represent conditions in other cities or rural areas.
  • Future Directions:
    1. Expanding research to encompass a broader disability ecosystem and exploring potential issues in smart city transitions.
    2. Establishing closer collaborations between academia and industry, such as partnering with ride-sharing companies to develop targeted applications.
    3. Exploring cross-cultural strategies for raising public awareness to enhance societal inclusivity for people with disabilities.