“I was so impressed when I discovered what assistive technology can do!”: D&A International in Kenya

Between November 2021 and March 2022, we delivered our two-course programme in Kenya: Introduction to Assistive Technology and Introduction to Disability Needs Assessments. Our International Project Coordinator Ruksar Hussain reflects on the learning and successes from our work with disability professionals across Kenya.

What was the challenge?

In 2021, the UK and Kenya co-hosted a summit to lead the global action to educate every child. The summit aimed to convene key global players and decision-makers, with a call-to-action of raising US $5billion for education in 87 lower income countries.

Technical and vocational education and training (TVET) organisations recognised the need to make their courses more accessible and expand their training opportunities to ensure they include disabled people.

What did we do?

Between November 2021 and March 2022, we delivered our two-course programme in Kenya: Introduction to Assistive Technology and Introduction to Disability Needs Assessments. Both were delivered in partnership with the Commonwealth of Learning (COL), the Government of Kenya, Kenya Technical Trainers College and the Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority.

The course was particularly aimed to support individuals working within organisations that had seen an increase in the number of disabled students enrolled with them. 35 learners, from across six different technical, vocational and education organisations, joined the Introduction to Assistive Technology course, with 23 progressing to the Introduction to Disability Needs Assessment course.

What were the highlights?

23 learners successfully completed the Introduction to Assistive Technology course, and 17 (and counting!) continued on to complete the Introduction to Disability Needs Assessment course. Attendees reported increased confidence in conducting disability needs assessments and recommending assistive technology to overcome specific barriers individuals may be facing.

Sherick Mbatha David, student at Machakos Technical Institute for the Blind, shared that: “Through the lessons that D&A has offered me, I’ve been able to begin raising awareness, implementing solutions and pushing the agenda from the departmental level at my institution. I believe this effort will escalate to higher echelons of leadership.”

“One of our favourite aspects of delivering these courses is how the participants’ own understanding of assistive technology transforms,” says Ruksar Hussain, Project Coordinator for D&A International. This was echoed by one participant, who commented “I was impressed when I discovered that there is so much I can do on my phone and my laptop in regards to assistive technology!” (Anne Naliaka Mutsami, student at Sigalagala National Polytechnic.