By PETER OGALLO | Project Leader
Many disabled people in Nandi County, as in other counties in Kenya and developing countries in the world, live in poverty, have limited opportunities for accessing education, health, suitable housing and employment opportunities. Majority continue to face stigmatization in the society mostly due to lack of awareness of their rights despite the government policy of mainstreaming disability in all government ministries. While noting that some persons with disabilities have not been aggressive to participate in public life, opportunities to promote positive perception and awareness of their contribution to the society has also been limited. PWDs need to be empowered to be self-reliant and fend for themselves. To boost their living standards PWDs need to initiate and manage their own activities and compete effectively in job and products markets. County Government of Nandi need to build capacities of the grassroots levels to effectively support the full participation of men and women entrepreneurs with disabilities in entrepreneurship development activities by invoking advocacy and awarenessraising activities to promote decent work for persons with disabilities. On the other hand, the County Government of Nandi needs to actualize Persons with Disabilities Act, 2003 that provides for the rights and rehabilitation of persons with disabilities; to achieve equalization of opportunities for persons with disabilities. It further provides a comprehensive legal framework which outlaws all forms of discriminative treatment of persons with special needs and disabilities. This includes, among others, access to education and training. It provides for adaptation of infrastructural, socio-economic and environmental facilities to ensure a conducive environment for persons with special needs and disabilities. The Children’s Act (2001) harmonizes all existing laws and policies on children into one document and aims at improving the wellbeing of ALL children irrespective of whether they are disabled or not.
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