In a bid to foster inclusivity and create an enabling environment for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) hosted a Disability Awareness Training on 21st January, 2025. The workshop, held at the MCU Boardroom, brought together staff from the Directorates of Career Services, and the AIDS Control, Gender, and Disability Mainstreaming, as well as lecturers and administrators. The training was conducted by Light for the World, Kenya, courtesy of its RISE (Ready for Inclusive Sustainable Employment) project. Light for the World, Kenya is an organization dedicated to advancing disability rights and inclusion in society. The organization has been working with MMUST through the Directorate of Career Services for the past two years.
The event was graced by the Director of Career Services, Prof. Robert Egessa, and the Director of AIDS Control, Gender, and Disability Mainstreaming, Prof. Benedict Alala. Prof. Egessa commended Light for the World for leading the vital conversation on inclusion, recognizing their efforts in equipping participants with the necessary knowledge and tools to create environments that are welcoming and accessible to PWDs. He emphasized that disability is not limited to specific individuals but can affect anyone at any time, stressing the importance of taking proactive steps to ensure inclusivity and accessibility for all.
“We have gained a lot today, and we look forward to similar interactions in the future to make MMUST more inclusive,” he said.
A section of participants attentively following the presentations.
Prof. Alala echoed these sentiments, acknowledging the progress the University has made toward inclusion while highlighting that more remains to be done. He reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to continuing this conversation and implementing practical measures to ensure PWDs are fully included and supported in all aspects of University life.
The lead trainer, Disability Inclusion Facilitator- Mr. MacNam Vita, shared valuable insights into understanding disability, tackling barriers faced by PWDs, and promoting an inclusive environment. He explained that PWDs include individuals with long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments, whose ability to fully participate in society is often hindered by various barriers. These barriers, he highlighted, include physical and technological inaccessibility, communication challenges, attitudinal biases, and gaps in policy.
The Director of AIDS Control, Gender, and Disability Mainstreaming, taking notes.
Mr. MacNam stressed that true inclusion starts with breaking down these barriers and, most importantly, reshaping societal attitudes. He commended MMUST for integrating accessibility features into its website, creating a more inclusive digital experience for PWDs. “Attitudes are often the biggest barriers. When we change how we perceive PWDs, inclusion becomes a natural reality,” he said, adding that modifications such as ramps or digital accessibility tools often benefit everyone, not just PWDs.
The lead trainer, Disability Inclusion Facilitator- Mr. MacNam Vita during the training.
During the session, Mr. MacNam delved into the evolution of societal perceptions of disability, highlighting three key models that have historically shaped understanding. He described the charity model, which portrays people with disabilities (PWDs) as dependent and unproductive; the medical model, which defines disability as a condition requiring correction or treatment, and the social model, which attributes disability to societal barriers rather than individual impairments. Mr. MacNam emphasized that the current emphasis is on the social model, as reflected in the increasing advocacy for the rights and inclusion of PWDs in all aspects of society.
Participants were also introduced to the principles of inclusion, which encompass a range of approaches from exclusion and segregation to integration and full inclusion. Mr. MacNam explained that exclusion occurs when PWDs are entirely denied access, while segregation involves isolating them in separate programs or spaces. Integration, he noted, allows PWDs to participate in mainstream programs, but only if they conform to existing systems. In contrast, inclusion represents the ideal outcome, where systemic reforms are implemented to ensure that PWDs have equal access, opportunities, and participation alongside everyone else, without the need for them to adapt to existing barriers.
The training highlighted the importance of reasonable accommodation, defined as adjustments or modifications that enable PWDs to access opportunities on an equal basis with others. Mr. MacNam reiterated that such changes often benefit everyone, not just PWDs.
Ms. Dona Akoth, the Project Manager for the RISE (Ready for Inclusive Sustainable Employment) project, emphasized the project’s core objective: to enhance disability confidence. She explained that the initiative aims to foster a more inclusive environment by empowering individuals and organizations to confidently engage with and support people with disabilities in the workforce.
Ms. Dona Akoth, the Project Manager addressing the participants.
As the session concluded, Mr. MacNam urged participants to prioritize accessibility and inclusivity, reminding them that disability can affect anyone at any stage in life. “If we fail to make our institutions accessible, we will face significant challenges when an unforeseen situation arises. Let us take proactive steps to ensure our environments are accessible to all, and deliberately foster an inclusive community for everyone,” he said.
MMUST's partnership with Light for the World continues to position the University as a leader in fostering inclusion, with the training serving as a key step towards creating a more enabling environment for PWDs and those without. As Prof. Egessa aptly put it, “Inclusion is not just about policies, it’s about creating environments where everyone feels valued and can thrive.”
By Caren Nekesa
Photos by Shiundu Masafu
