ICT4D

A field of research and practice focused on how information and communication technologies can be designed, deployed, and used to support social and economic development, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. ICT4D examines the unique social, cultural, and infrastructural dynamics that shape technology use in resource-constrained settings, including issues of digital literacy, connectivity, affordability, and the role of human intermediaries. For accessibility practitioners, ICT4D research highlights that assistive technology solutions designed for high-income contexts often fail in the Global South due to different environmental conditions, maintenance capabilities, and social structures that govern technology use.