Gambia’s First Blind Magistrate Navigates Legal System Using Assistive Technology

OPA WIRE, Oct 26 (OPA) — Magistrate Muhammed Krubally arrives at the Banjul Magistrates’ Court daily to preside over a docket that has grown to include more than 1,000 cases since his appointment in 2016. To manage his workload, Krubally utilizes JAWS (Job Access With Speech) screen-reading software and AI-enabled smart glasses, allowing him to review documents and navigate legal proceedings independently. When technology is insufficient, he relies on auditory cues and his clerk to maintain the rhythm of the courtroom.

Krubally, 41, grew up in the Gambia’s Central River Region and faced significant educational obstacles due to his visual impairment. Despite discouragement from peers and teachers, he pursued a legal career with the explicit goal of advocating for the rights of people with disabilities. He currently serves as president of the Gambia Federation of the Disabled, using his platform to push for broader institutional inclusion beyond his own judicial role.

While the Gambia passed the Persons with Disabilities Act in 2021 to mandate accessibility and non-discrimination, implementation remains inconsistent. The National Human Rights Commission has documented ongoing difficulties regarding access to public services and employment for disabled citizens. Advocates, including Lamin Colley of the Gambia Organisation of the Visually Impaired, argue that insufficient government funding and a lack of specialized learning materials continue to hinder progress for students and professionals alike.

Despite these systemic challenges, Krubally maintains that his presence on the bench serves as a necessary step toward a more inclusive judiciary. He continues to balance his judicial duties with advocacy work, emphasizing that legal protections are only effective when individuals have the practical tools to participate fully in public life. His career remains a focal point for national discussions on the practical application of disability rights in the Gambia.