Disability is not Inability

:: Violence Against Disabled Children

Although the government has increasingly pursued inclusion in public primary school in the last few years, the small number of units and the quality still raises eyebrows. Why open units and not provide teachers for the children. Why allocate one class room and mix all children with various disabilities into one classroom, without any extra support different from non-disabled children.

While the on-going disability survey is expected to help solve some of the statistical challenges the government faces in planning for disability services, it is important that some commitment on general policy environment be adhered to. As we move towards universal free primary education need direct guidelines in relation to basic standards in providing health and education to children with disabilities as equal citizens.

The enrolment of children with disabilities. Schools need specific guidelines on the basic requirements to qualify for build a unit recognized by the government ministry of education. Specific measures need to be put in place to recruit and or redeploy the many teachers graduating from the special education training being held by the Kenya Institute of Special Education.

The rights of disabled children should not be considered of a lesser rights. They have an equal right “to enjoy a full and decent life in conditions that ensure dignity, promote self reliance” as our non-disabled children. Children’s organizations need to invest in monitoring and education communities about equal rights of all children. We need to train and encourage children officers on disability issues. We need more commitment the disability Act.

Governments too, need to be more responsible to rights of all children. Government programmes like the Free Education cannot be said to be successful if they are also seen to be framed in a way that disables some children. Schools that enroll children with impairment should be allocated more per child. Special education teachers should be paid hardship allowances to motivate and keep them on their important jobs. All schools should be able to enroll children with disabilities depending on the kind of disability common in the community.

We ought to provide opportunities for equal participation in community for the children to become productive adults. The pathetic life conditions of a majority adult living with disabilities today is a direct result of the lack of access to basic education opportunities. Many people with disabilities are neither employed nor active participants in business opportunities the growing economy provides.

:: Violence Against disabled children part 1.