By Nelson Onyimbi
Despite purposeful cumulative efforts around the globe to reduce the social exclusion gap, a lot of information surrounding the dynamics of disability still remains unknown, including the various forms of disability. Against the backdrop of widespread ignorance, persons with various disabilities experience continued discrimination and social exclusion, regardless of Article 27 of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010, which provides for non-discrimination.
An estimated 1 billion people (about 15%) globally experience a form of disability (WHO). In Kenya, the 2019 population census recorded about 900,000 PWDs, but only about 350,000 are registered with the National Council for Persons with Disability (NCPWD). A disability, by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) definition, is any condition of the body or mind (impairment) that makes it more difficult for the person with the condition to do certain activities (activity limitation) and interact with the world around them (participation restrictions). These may include impairments in vision, movement, thinking, learning, communicating, hearing, reading, and mental health. Many people still assume that disability is only what can be seen by the eye. However, the scope of disability shows that the conventional assumptions barely scratch the surface, and we unknowingly set up barriers that make it harder to achieve progress. The barriers, thus, become systemic, and PWDs record lower health (including mental health) and economic outcomes and are more likely to live in poverty. This is despite legislation in place such as the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, the Constitution of Kenya, and the Persons with Disabilities Act.
Aside from physical barriers to the achievement of inclusion such as inaccessible buildings and amenities, the citizenry needs to be educated on negative attitudes and cultures which become barriers too, for example, the perception of some PWDs being asexual may lead untrained health workers to deny them a choice of family planning or contraceptives. As a citizenry, we need to take stock of diversity, which defines us as humans. Different people having different needs means that resources and capacities can be allocated to cater to their needs. We become perpetrators of stereotyping, discrimination, and prejudice the moment we take part in knowingly and unknowingly excluding a section of persons due to various disabilities, so we end up denying them the constitutional rights to human dignity, non-discrimination, and the attainment of the highest standards of health.
The government needs to come up with deliberate measures to upscale registration and strengthen and empower bodies that represent the welfare of PWDs, for example, the National Council of People with Disabilities (NCPWD). Civil society and individuals working in the disability-rights spaces should also encourage PWDs to take advantage of public participation forums to identify and influence laws that will improve the health and welfare environment. Above all, representation in any government processes should not be compromised based on disability. Through this, we can ensure that the government enacts laws and policies, can be held accountable for its responsibilities, and promotes social inclusion.
Onyimbi Nelson, is a Health Advocate at NAYA Kenya
