Disability is not Inability

:: executive summary

:: background 1

:: background 2

:: problem statement

:: justification.

To build political structures that empower people living with disabilities, civic education needs to target both voters with and without disabilities. The objective is to reduce poverty among people with disabilities by promoting inclusive development(21). Persons with disabilities suffer from lack of dignity, lack of independence, inequality and widespread exclusion.

The effective participation of the Kenyans living with disabilities in the forthcoming general elections is important for four reasons: First is that historically, society and governments have sidelined, hidden and ostracized people with disabilities despite being the poor of the poorest(22). Secondly, mainstream media has promoted social, cultural and religious perceptions of disability which have entrenched stigma, fear and exclusion of persons with disabilities(23) even within economic and democratic reforms recently experienced in the Kenya (24).

The third reason is that even macro and micro- policies and programmes in public, civil and private organizations that work with for and by people or with disabilities do not promoted, empower or give reasonable opportunity to persons with disabilities even after the passing of the Persons with Disability ACT(25).
Finally, development for persons with disabilities should not be postponed on the basis of lack of resources. Development should be equally distributed among all citizens.

The Calendar is an inclusive Media. Exclusion of disability imagery in mainstream media is extensive. When disability is expressed in the media, negative attitudes, stereotypes and disability models that perpetuate dependency and low self-esteem among the disabled people is common editorial(26). Media imagery of disability has significant impact on discrimination of people with disabilities(27).

The role of an accessible media is integral to effective communication that changes attitudes. The media is accessible to both target groups (people with and without disabilities) in their natural settings. A calendar is perfect as it will be displayed in all settings where relationships between people with and without disabilities are most experienced. Inclusion, dignity and independence are enhanced by the communicative and educative aspects of the calendar(28).

:: methodology

disabilitykenya