Influence and Use of ICT in the Digital Transformation of Centers for People Living with Disabilities: A Case Study

The development and innovation of information technologies have driven digital transformation and improved accessibility in all aspects of citizens’ lives. Life in society includes people with disabilities, who may have reduced mobility, low incomes, and limitations related to their disability. ICTs can influence the lifestyles of these individuals. Our study was conducted in seventeen (17) centers for people with disabilities in Burundi to determine the influence of ICTs and identify the current situation, while also analyzing their impact. Through information and communication technologies (ICTs), including computers, smartphones, tablets, the internet, software, and applications, people with disabilities can create, produce, communicate, and find employment, thus contributing to transforming their daily lives and society. The results of our research indicate that the use of ICTs by people with disabilities, regardless of the nature of their disability, represents a real opportunity to promote their integration in both daily and professional life. Thus, the influence and use of ICTs show that as of December 31, 2024, 87% of the centers consulted claim to have at least one radio, 100% have a television and a computer and 62% have a fixed telephone line. We have demonstrated that a small number of workers and people with disabilities use their mobile devices to connect to the Internet. Thus, 38% of users have mobile devices, 25% use flash modems, 12% are connected to the internet, and 63% have no connection at all. This access is limited by the high cost of smartphones and data plans for this often-low-income group. Responses from managers of centers for people with disabilities indicate that 64% of centers face financial difficulties in obtaining internet access, with 49% citing a lack of funds and 15% high costs, while 36% experience network connectivity problems. Other constraints have an impact and influence on the inefficient use of ICT in centers for disabled people in Burundi, including low internet access for disabled people estimated at 38% (with 25% via modem and 13% via network), network connection failures estimated at 36%, difficulties related to lack of equipment at 34%, lack of ICT skills at 27%, lack of financial resources at 21%, lack of desire for digital culture at 12%, inaccessibility to centers related to their location estimated at 6% and finally other endogenous and exogenous constraints such as electricity supply and rising ICT service communication tariffs. In conclusion, the benefits of using ICT for people with