Unlocking Potential By Overcoming Challenges in Assistive Technology for PWDs - George Gathenya
Despite efforts by governments and other stakeholders to provide assistive devices and technology, there are challenges of availability, cost, meeting the needs of the users, after-sales support, safety and durability. It is against this background that The Kenya Institute of Special Education (KISE)
organised the African Expo on Specialized Learning Materials, Assistive Devices and Technology to provide a platform for manufacturers, users and suppliers to engage.
Delivering the keynote speech during the event, George Gathenya Wachira - Chief Executive Officer, National Fund for the Disabled, called on stakeholders engaged with people living with disabilities to position themselves in areas of opportunity so as to leverage all available opportunities to ensure PWDs are well catered for.
“We've got to position ourselves to have a will for resourcing. The same resources we are aiming for are under competition. Every ministry is there to lobby for the same resources for their ministry. This is why we need to analyse our competition, develop right messaging and have the will,” he noted.
Gathenya also cautioned against having to continuously rely on companies abroad whenever people need assistive devices, noting that Kenya has the capacity to provide the requisite necessities.
“Many of us did not know that East African Breweries could help produce sanitizer. They produce alcohol but from the ingredients they can also produce sanitizer, yet all the while they were known for production of alcohol,” he asserted.
The CEO expressed hope in the predictability that the KISE expo will create awareness of various assistive technologies in enhancing the inclusion of persons with disability. He called on partners, sellers and buyers to maximise their time during the expo noting that this a great opportunity to have most stakeholders in one place.
The three heralded objectives of the Expo are to bring together manufacturers, innovators and distributors to showcase specialized learning materials, assistive devices and technology. Secondly, to expose users to available solutions regarding specialized learning materials and assistive devices and lastly, to establish partnerships and networks for the production, provision, supply and distribution of specialised learning materials, assistive devices and assistive technology.
According to the NFDK CEO, access to appropriate, effective assistive technology is bound to create a paradigm shift in the education of learners with special needs with disabilities in addition to promoting their independence.
Historically, the assistive technology enhances participation in the workforce and the opportunity to maintain self-efficacy. The World Health Organisation has also revealed that assistive technologies, when appropriate to the user and the user’s environment, have a significant impact on the level of independence and participation that people with disabilities can achieve.
They have also been reported to reduce the need for formal support services and reduce the time and physical burden for caregivers. In conclusion, the takeaways from Gathenya’s key note speech is to have more partnerships between governments and private sector so as to ensure full capacity is achieved in securing the appropriate assistive technology for people living with disabilities and ensure they are supplied to the most vulnerable and remote person.
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