Can Web 2.0 Salvage the Gains of Disability Rights Advocacy in Africa?

The attitudinal, institutional and environmental barriers recognised by the social model of disability continue to limit the effective participation in and full enjoyment of human rights for persons with disabilities. As such, disability rights activists in Africa must use a variety of tools to promote social inclusion and break down these barriers. As part of a coordinated effort and an effective mobilising tool, social media is well aligned with the principles of participatory development by enabling individuals to express their views on a specific issue concerning marginalised groups, such as persons with disabilities, to work together to rechannel their efforts and develop a sense of community. There has been limited success of disability rights causes that have effectively utilised these tools, which can enhance the involvement of people with disabilities in advocacy and present disability rights activists in Africa with an opportunity to make use of a variety of strategies to promote and advocate for social inclusion. However, social media alone are not sufficient for promoting disability inclusion but should be used to enhance traditional organising strategies. In addition to synthesising the literature across empirical and practical sources, examples from other movements in Africa that have taken advantage of these social media tools are provided to illustrate how such platforms can enhance disability advocacy efforts. The chapter examines how other groups have used social media to campaign for their issues in Africa to serve as a resource for the disability rights movement on ways to enhance advocacy efforts using social media as one of their tools.