HAIDI Innovation Track for Artificial Intelligence and Disability Inclusion

Deadline: 17-Jul-2026

The Assistive Technologies for Disability Trust programme is an 18-month catalytic support initiative that funds and scales responsible AI solutions for disability inclusion across Africa. It provides up to KES 5,000,000 in milestone-based funding along with technical, product, policy, and market scaling support. The programme focuses on post-MVP AI innovations that improve access in education, employment, mental health, mobility, communication, and care systems for persons with disabilities.

Overview

• The programme is an 18-month support initiative for AI-driven disability inclusion solutions
• It is designed to scale responsible AI innovations across African countries
• It targets post-MVP and market-ready ventures with demonstrated real-world usage
• It combines funding, technical assistance, and ecosystem support
• It prioritizes inclusive design, accessibility, and ethical AI deployment

Programme Purpose and Strategic Goals

The programme aims to strengthen disability inclusion through artificial intelligence by:

• Scaling AI technologies that improve daily life for persons with disabilities
• Supporting innovation ecosystems focused on accessibility and inclusion
• Advancing responsible AI practices aligned with human rights principles
• Improving data systems and governance for disability-related technology
• Strengthening collaboration between innovators, governments, and disability communities
• Ensuring AI solutions are practical, usable, and community-informed

Core Focus Areas

Evidence (Data, Research, and Governance)

• Building African disability datasets to improve AI accuracy and relevance
• Developing inclusive data governance frameworks
• Strengthening ethical data collection practices
• Supporting evidence-based disability policy development

Innovation (AI Solutions and Product Scaling)

• Identifying high-potential AI and machine learning solutions
• Scaling assistive technologies with proven real-world usage
• Improving product usability and accessibility
• Enhancing model performance for disability-related use cases
• Supporting refinement from MVP to scalable product stage

Policy (Governance and Disability Rights)

• Embedding disability rights into national AI governance systems
• Supporting alignment with regional AI policies in Africa
• Promoting ethical and responsible AI standards
• Strengthening inclusion in digital transformation strategies

Priority Application Sectors

The programme prioritizes AI solutions in the following areas:

Education

• AI tools for learners with diverse learning needs
• Accessibility platforms for inclusive education systems
• Assistive learning technologies for classrooms and remote learning

Employment

• Workplace accessibility tools for persons with disabilities
• AI-driven job matching and skills support platforms
• Inclusive workforce productivity solutions

Mental Health and Care Systems

• AI systems supporting psychosocial care
• Digital mental health tools for caregivers and patients
• Early intervention and support systems

Assistive Technologies

• Mobility support systems such as navigation tools
• Communication assistance technologies (speech, language, translation)
• Care-support AI systems for daily living assistance
• Independent living and accessibility enhancement tools

Funding and Support Package

Financial Support

• Milestone-based grant funding up to KES 5,000,000 (or USD equivalent)
• Funding disbursed based on agreed development milestones
• Focus on measurable impact and scaling readiness

Technical and Product Development Support

• AI model optimization and performance improvement
• UX and accessibility design evaluation
• Accessibility auditing for compliance and usability
• Integration of disability-inclusive design principles
• Product refinement for real-world deployment

Market Expansion and Scaling Support

• Go-to-market strategy development
• Customer acquisition and user growth planning
• Distribution channel and partnership development
• Geographic expansion across African markets
• Branding and impact communication strategy

User Testing and Validation

• Real-world testing through Live Lab environments
• Collaboration with Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs)
• Usability testing in real community settings
• Continuous feedback loops for product improvement
• Validation of impact in real-life conditions

Investment Readiness and Funding Support

• Pitch deck development and refinement
• Grant writing and funding application support
• Venture profiling for visibility
• Introductions to investors, donors, and public sector partners
• Support in preparing for scale financing

Business Model and Financial Strengthening

• Revenue model design and optimization
• Pricing strategy development
• Unit economics and sustainability planning
• Financial modelling and forecasting
• Market and competitor analysis
• Venture mentorship from experienced advisors

Strategic Partnerships and Ecosystem Access

• Partnerships with governments and public institutions
• Collaboration with education systems and universities
• Engagement with employers and workforce platforms
• Integration with healthcare and rehabilitation systems
• Cross-sector partnerships across African regions

Eligible Applicants

The programme is open to:

• AI startups and small to medium enterprises (SMEs)
• Individual innovators and independent researchers
• Academic and research institutions
• Multi-stakeholder consortia and partnerships

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must meet the following conditions:

• Geographic requirement
  • Must operate within Africa
• Technical requirement
  • Solution must use AI or machine learning as a core component
• Stage requirement
  • Must be at MVP or market-ready stage
  • Must demonstrate real-world traction or usage
• Inclusion requirement
  • Must address challenges faced by persons with disabilities or caregivers
  • Must actively involve persons with disabilities in design, testing, or governance
• Compliance requirement
  • Must align with responsible AI principles
  • Must comply with data protection and ethical standards

How the Programme Works (Step-by-Step Process)

Step 1: Application submission

• Submit detailed proposal of AI solution
• Provide evidence of traction and implementation
• Demonstrate disability inclusion approach

Step 2: Selection and evaluation

• Assessment based on innovation, impact, and scalability
• Review of AI readiness and technical maturity
• Evaluation of inclusion and ethical compliance

Step 3: Onboarding and milestone planning

• Define development milestones
• Agree on funding disbursement structure
• Set technical and impact targets

Step 4: Implementation and support delivery

• Receive milestone-based funding
• Access technical, product, and scaling support
• Engage in continuous improvement cycles

Step 5: Testing and validation

• Conduct real-world testing with disability communities
• Collect feedback through OPD partnerships
• Improve product usability and effectiveness

Step 6: Scaling and investment readiness

• Expand to new markets and regions
• Engage investors and strategic partners
• Strengthen long-term business sustainability

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Applying without a functional MVP or real user traction
• Weak integration of AI as a core solution component
• Limited involvement of disability communities in design
• Poor understanding of accessibility requirements
• Lack of measurable impact indicators
• Weak business model or scaling strategy
• Ignoring responsible AI and data protection standards

Why This Programme Matters

• Accelerates inclusive AI innovation across Africa
• Improves accessibility in education, employment, and healthcare systems
• Strengthens participation of persons with disabilities in digital ecosystems
• Promotes ethical and responsible AI development practices
• Bridges the gap between innovation and real-world disability needs
• Supports scalable solutions with long-term social impact
• Builds stronger partnerships between tech innovators and public systems

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the funding amount?

• Up to KES 5,000,000 per venture, released in milestones

What stage of innovation is required?

• Post-MVP or market-ready solutions with proven traction

Who can apply?

• Startups, SMEs, researchers, academic institutions, and consortia operating in Africa

Is AI mandatory for eligibility?

• Yes, AI or machine learning must be a core part of the solution

Are disability communities involved in the programme?

• Yes, through co-design, testing, and validation with OPDs

What sectors are prioritized?

• Education, employment, mental health, and assistive technologies

Does the programme support scaling?

• Yes, it provides market expansion, partnerships, and investment readiness support

Conclusion

The Assistive Technologies for Disability Trust programme is a comprehensive 18-month catalytic support initiative designed to scale high-impact AI solutions for disability inclusion across Africa. It combines funding, technical assistance, policy alignment, and ecosystem partnerships to help innovators build accessible, ethical, and scalable technologies that meaningfully improve the lives of persons with disabilities and their caregivers.

For more information, visit AT4D.