Validation Workshop on “The Right to Connect: Uncovering the Gap in Access to Technology for Women and Girls with Disabilities in Kathmandu Valley”

Access Planet Organization is conducting a research study entitled “The Right to Connect: Uncovering the Gap in Access to Technology for Women and Girls with Disabilities in Kathmandu Valley.” The research aims to examine the situation of access to technology among women and girls with disabilities, identify key barriers and gaps, and generate recommendations to strengthen digital inclusion and access to assistive and other technologies.

As part of the research process, Access Planet organized an expert-level validation workshop on 11 September 2026 to share the preliminary findings and recommendations and obtain critical feedback from disability rights experts, representatives of Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs), advocates, and practitioners.

The workshop provided an opportunity to assess the relevance, completeness, methodology, findings and recommendations of the research and to identify areas requiring further clarification, evidence or analysis.

Objectives of the Workshop

The major objectives of the validation workshop were to:

• Share the research background, methodology, findings and recommendations with disability rights experts and OPD representatives.
• Validate the findings and assess whether they adequately reflect the experiences and realities of women and girls with different disabilities.
• Identify gaps, missing issues and groups that may not have been sufficiently covered by the research.
• Gather expert recommendations to strengthen the research findings and recommendations.
• Explore opportunities for joint advocacy and policy engagement on accessible technology and assistive technology.
• Promote wider dissemination and use of the research among OPDs and relevant stakeholders.

Participants

The workshop brought together representatives and experts from different disability rights organizations and civil society organizations, including the National Federation of the Disabled Nepal (NFDN), Nepal Association of the Blind, National Association of Physical Disabilities, Autism Care Nepal, Federation of Women with Disabilities, Nepal Disabled Women Association (NDWA), Disabled Human Rights Centre (DHRC), Karkhana Samuha and other disability rights advocates and experts.

The workshop was moderated by Laxmi Nepal, Executive Director of Access Planet Organization.

Presentation of Research Findings and Recommendations

Maheshwor Ghimire, Research Consultant, presented the research to the participants. His presentation covered:

• Background and rationale of the research
• Research objectives
• Research methodology
• Major findings
• Key gaps identified by the research
• Preliminary recommendations

The presentation was followed by an open discussion and validation session.

Closing

The workshop concluded with closing remarks from Gargi Nepal, President, who thanked all participants for their time, expertise and valuable contributions to the research validation process.

She acknowledged that the feedback received from disability rights experts and OPD representatives would contribute significantly to strengthening the research. She also encouraged participants and their respective organizations to use the research as an evidence base for future advocacy, policy engagement and efforts to promote the meaningful access of women and girls with disabilities to technology.

The validation workshop therefore served not only as an opportunity to review the research but also as a platform for strengthening collaboration among OPDs and identifying opportunities for collective advocacy on digital accessibility, assistive technology and the right to meaningful digital participation.