Disability is not Inability

:: John Kibichi's "I have a dream too" letter to Kimunya:

"I have heard the economy grow from 0.3 percent to 6 percent. But sometimes I ask myself who is the economy growing for." While I received a wheelchair when i was born, am aware of others older than me, who don't have mobility aids and I wondered why the growth of the economy does not reflect in the number of us children with disabilities going to school?"

Kibichi expected only the begginning of an inclusive budget process as Kenya makes baby steps to the much trumpeted Kenya 2030 vision. But the strong willed limbless sweetling ended up with an exclusive budget and a few pennies for those who could saw media coverage of the magic limbless boy.

" I have a dream that should we embrace universal design in government 2030 policy planning, i will be planning minister with Trevor Kibet at Finance by 2030". John Kibichi...(pictured playing footbal a day to 2007 budget in which Kimunya ignored an Inclusive Budgeting)

Kibichi expected that for him to be the Planning MInister by 2030 he has to live until then. So he expected the 1,000 dispensaries Kimunya claims to have built in the last 4 years to be accessible to him in his wheelchair. The health personnel who will be posted there at least two in know sign language to serve the deaf brothers.

The road blocks Kimunya has put in the implementation of the Disability ACT. Kibichi expected the implementing of the provision in the PWD ACT that provides for Tax exemption of persons with disability as compensation to facilitate him be able for the moment to get a helper carry him up the stairs to the local dispensary. He didnt get it.

Kibichi dreamed that the free education which is NARC Government's flagship programme would be friendly to him in his local school. He found that education is only defined to be free if you do not have any impairment. Kibichi thought his parents would not have to beg to help raise him or take him to school every morning to protect him from stigmatising neighbours.

He only found a media and government that reinforces the same stigma in the community to keep the parents begging to afford his education. When he reached school he found that yes there was a teacher and unlike other with other disabilities he shares a class with the Kibet's of his locality. However, the teacher did not have enough skills to help the other children learn that he is the same as they and he only needs different materials the government is not willing to provide to beat them inthe coming exams.

Universal designed budget

A universal budget does not means much changes from the current norm. It only means budgeting that includes the livelihoods of an estimated 10 percent of the population with disabilities. It means they over three million Kenyans born and unborn have equal opportunties to pursue their potential. It means that each hospital is built to cater for the health needs of all Kenyan's irrespective of their physical, sensory, mental or pocket impairments.

It would mean tax exemption for those with extra burdens to do the same task. It would mean if i need an interpreter, whitecane or a wheelchair to equally access the same social service paid for by public funds.

It means that i have equal opportunity for the Finance Minister to invite me to his office or to parliament building or any such facility. This is important so that i can equally learn the challenges of national budgeting and shore my skills to achieve my dream. It means that The NCPWD has more funds to enable it achieve its mission within the strategic plans to enable more players access equal opportunties from organisations of persons with disabilties to individual acces to credit, business training, pension, housing, transport, telecommunication, and Television.

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