Disability is not Inability

:: Background.

People living with disabilities are yet to be mainstreamed into ‘the basic objective of development’ which is “to create an enabling environment which people can enjoy long healthy and creative lives.” (1)

While the Kenyan economy has recorded a 6.1 % economic growth(2), how much of it has translated into improved environment for people with disabilities? The Kenyan government reported a 6.1% economic growth and created over 471,000 jobs with growth led mainly by Agriculture, Tourism, Trade and Industry.

The Aristotle(3) argued that there is a ‘something else’ we seek in wealth creation. That ‘something else’ is the opportunity for people to realize their potential as human beings’. Is Kenyan economic growth delivering the ‘something’ to people living with disabilities?

56% of Kenyan population of 35 million implies mass poverty, deeply entrenched inequality and lack of political empowerment contribute to deny(4) over three million Kenyans(5) the freedom to make real choices simply because they live with one or several impairments.

Kenyans and African countries should define ‘development as a process of expanding the real freedoms that people enjoy.(6) People here should be defined to include those living with disabilities. Macro and micro programmes and policies by public, private and civil sectors should be considered successful only if they include persons with disabilities.

:: background 1

:: background 2

:: Problem statement

:: calendar media product

disabilitykenya.