KENYATTA UNIVERSITY Prof. Olive M. Mugenda, PhD, CBS Vice-Chancellor Monday, 25 th June, 2012 INCREASING ACCESS FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES: THE CASE OF KENYATTA UNIVESITY

Introduction  According to World Bank, 12% of the global population consists of Persons with Disabilities  186 million of these population comprise of Children  One third of all children out of school (75 million) have disabilities  Excluding persons with disabilities from workforce causes loss of GDP

 4.6% of Kenyans experience some form of disability  65% of the PWD in Kenya regard the environment as a major problem Kenyatta University ISO 9001:2008 Certified Source: KNSPWD, 2008

Some important statistics, Kenyatta University Kenyatta University ISO 9001:2008 Certified

Proportion of PWDs among students in KU, 2012 Kenyatta University ISO 9001:2008 Certified N= 44,000

Kenyatta University ISO 9001:2008 Certified N= 2,792 Proportion of PWDs among Staff in Kenyatta University, 2012

Challenges of Persons with Disabilities  Mobility – movement to and from the lecture halls is a challenge  Physical infrastructure – previously, most buildings were constructed without taking care of the plight of PWDs Kenyatta University ISO 9001:2008 Certified

 Funding – due to their special needs, funds are a hindrance to PWDs  Attitudinal challenges – Most people in the society have biased attitudes towards PWDs Kenyatta University ISO 9001:2008 Certified

Initiatives to support Persons with Disabilities in Kenyatta University Kenyatta University ISO 9001:2008 Certified

 Programmes – through the Department of Special Needs Education various courses are offered which are meant to empower PWDs  Kenyatta University Disability Services Office (KUDSO) was started in 2010 to coordinate issues related to PWDs  The Disability Services Office is instrumental in monitoring the progress and standards of services of PWDs Kenyatta University ISO 9001:2008 Certified

 To enhance mobility for PWDs, the University provides tuk-tuks Kenyatta University ISO 9001:2008 Certified

University buildings have been customized for easy Access by PWDs Kenyatta University ISO 9001:2008 Certified

 Assistive Technology  The Dolphin pen technology is used by the visually impaired students Kenyatta University ISO 9001:2008 Certified

Braille services through the Resource Centre attached to the Dean of Students Kenyatta University ISO 9001:2008 Certified

 All major pathways linking up buildings at Kenyatta University are well labeled to ease access to the Deaf students Kenyatta University ISO 9001:2008 Certified

 The Post-Modern Library has a number of facilities which are customized for use by PWDs Kenyatta University ISO 9001:2008 Certified

Computers for use by PWDs in the new Library Kenyatta University ISO 9001:2008 Certified

Computers cont’d…. Kenyatta University ISO 9001:2008 Certified

Widened toilets for use by PWDs Kenyatta University ISO 9001:2008 Certified

 Financial Aid – through the University’s Financial Aid Office, some students are supported through scholarships  Students are also guided on how to obtain HELB loans by Kenyatta University Disability Services Office  JAB has had affirmative action which KU has adapted Kenyatta University ISO 9001:2008 Certified

Sensitization & Attitude Change These are done through the Following:  During orientation sessions to sensitize First year students on the need to maintain NON- DISCRIMINATORY environment and offer assistance to PWDs where need arise  Annual Disability Day which creates awareness about PWDs  Highlight of activities of PWDs through the Kenyatta University Newsletter – a fortnightly publication of the Office of the Vice-Chancellor Kenyatta University ISO 9001:2008 Certified

 Staff matters – The University supports staff with disability as they seek PAYE Tax Relief by contacting Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) Kenyatta University ISO 9001:2008 Certified

CONCLUSION  Kenyatta University is committed to adherence to and application of the Disability Act, 2004  It is through these initiatives that the University will continue to enhance access to Higher Education for Persons With Disabilities Kenyatta University ISO 9001:2008 Certified

Thank You 25