The Academy of Science of South Africa’s Transformation Strategy calls for removal of barriers to equal
participation in the science, technology and innovation (STI) ecosystem as well as widening access to
scientific information. Gender and race have been the forefront variables due to our country’s history,
however, ASSAf has incorporated disability barriers (inclusive of mental disabilities) as part of the key
component in enhancing full societal participation in STI. The session will launch the ASSAf Inclusivity
Initiative on Gender Equity and Persons with Disabilities which aims to enhance inclusive participation in
STI and foster partnerships to advance the agenda, in line with the objectives of the DSI Decadal Plan in
STI. Through this initiative ASSAf further aims to foster empowerment and amplify the voices of persons
with disabilities, particularly by focusing on innovation as a tool for inclusivity. Discussions at the launch
will address the barriers that prevent women and persons with disabilities from fully participating in the
national system of innovation (NSI) and more importantly focus on recommendations for solutions to
removing barriers that hinder wide participation by persons with disabilities, and how innovation can be
a tool to enhance equity.