Kenya

"World Autism Day 2 April, Celebrated at UNDP-Kenya."

(Elisabet Eklund-Programme Officer Disabilities project at UNDP shares a word with a parent of an autistic child in Kenya)

UNDP’s Mainstreaming Disabilities project organized this awareness raising event in collaboration with Autism Society of Kenya and Ministry of Health. The 2 April has been declared World Autism Awareness Day by the UN General Assembly and today was the first time around the world when this day is celebrated. Autism is the fastest growing developmental disability and it is estimated that 1 in 150 people are born with an autistic spectrum disorder. Autism Society of Kenya and Ministry of Health are shedding light on the issues through various publications.Notably, a curriculum has been developed for the teacher training at the Kenya Institute of Special Education KISE.

BACKGROUND ON PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES PROJECT

The overall objective of the Disability day is to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilise support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities. UNDP-Kenya is involving communities to promote awareness of the social, cultural, economic, civil and political rights of persons with disabilities, organize forums in support of the Day focusing on disability issues, celebrate the contributions by persons with disabilities to the societies, and to take action to implement international norms and standards concerning persons with disabilities. This year's celebration in Ktui was monumental because majority of the organisations working to advocate for the rights of persons with disabilities joined together in producing a newspaper supplement as an advocacy tool. The organisations included: Leornard Cheshire International, Sense International, HANDICAP international, Volunteer Services Overseas and UNDP.

National Council for Persons with Disabilities launches Strategic Plan (April 2006)

This Strategic Plan is the first of its kind to be drafted in Kenya. It has been realised through support from Democratic Governance unit at UNDP-Kenya.

Click here to read the Strategic Plan

Objectives of the Launch

1. The function will be organized to bring together stakeholders including Government Ministries and Departments, UN bodies, International Organizations, NGOs,CBOs Corporate Organizations, Philanthropists and individuals alike to share ideas in the strategic plan with a view to forging partnerships and collaborations in implementing programmed activities in the plan

2. Make an informative, focused concise and practical presentation of the Strategic Plan to the captive audience in order to solicit for support, cooperation and collaboration from stakeholders.

3. Get the electronics and print media to understand the role of National Council for Persons with Disabilities and to convince them to disseminate positive information to stakeholders and the public at large.

4. Generate targeted information through newspaper supplements in the Nation and Standard, appearances on radio and television and press releases with a view to educating and informing members of the public on the role played by National Council for Persons with Disabilities in furtherance of the ideals of persons with disabilities.

In view of the fact that the Council is new, the launch is envisaged to bring an appropriate impact and expand publicity of the Council’s activities. The occasion will also be used as a forum to unveil future plans for National Council for Persons with Disabilities and to open up contacts with relevant stakeholders.

Links to various activities that assist persons with disabilities.

Kenya Programmes for Disabled Persons

International Newsletter on Disability activities

United Disabled Persons in Kenya

Amref Disability projects

Disability Act

Disability Act was passed by the Parliament in December 2003. The following year the National Council for Persons with Disabilities was established. The National Council for Persons with Disabilities will be responsible for conducting research regarding the number of different disabilities issues in the country. At the moment there is need for statistics about disabilities for appropriate government planning and allocation of resources, for improvement of services for persons with disabilities. The National Council is generally working on towards a barrier free and disability friendly environment. UNDP is supporting the work of National Council as a main national institution working on improving the disability friendliness. The National Council works at district level through the District Social Development Officers. Later this year they will also start the registration process of persons with disabilities and disability peoples’ organization (DPOs)