People With Disabilities

People With Disabilities

The National Council for People with Disabilities. Was set up in December 2004 following the enactment of The Persons with Disabilities Act (PWD) Bill 2003. The Council is a semi-autonomous government agency (SAGA) whose parent Ministry is the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Development. The membership consists of nominees of Organisations of and for persons with disabilities. Key government ministries, the Office of the Attorney General, Federation of Kenya Employers and the Central Organisation of Trade Unions. A non-executive Chairperson heads the Board, while a Secretariat runs the day-to-day activities.

People With Disabilities: Core Functions

The Council derives its mandate from the PWD ACT, 2003. Which established the Council and outlined its core functions as follows:

• Formulating and developing measures and policies designed to achieve equal opportunities for PWDs;
• They cooperate with the government during the National Census. To ensure that accurate figures of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) are obtained.
• Issuing orders requiring the adjustment of buildings that are unfriendly for use by PWDs;
• Recommending measures to prevent discrimination against PWDs;
• Encouraging and securing the rehabilitation of PWDs within their own communities and social environment;
• Registering persons with disabilities and institutions and organizations giving services to PWDs; and
• Raising public awareness regarding PWDs.

People With Disabilities

Policy Priorities

1. a) To issue adjustment orders under section 24 of the PWD ACT, 2003;
2. b) To formulate and develop measures and policies designed to ;
3. Achieve equal opportunities for PWD by ensuring to the maximum extent possible that they obtain education. And employment and participate fully in sporting. Recreational and cultural activities and are afforded full access to community and social services.
4. They actively cooperate with the government during the national census to ensure that they obtain accurate figures of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in the country for the purpose of planning.

• Advise the Minister on the provisions of any international treaty or agreement relating to the welfare or rehabilitation of PWD and its benefit to the country.

1. Recommend measures to prevent discrimination against PWD.
2. Put into operation schemes and projects for self employment or regular or sheltered employment for the generation of income by PWD.
3. Encourage and secure the rehabilitation of persons with disabilities within their own communities and social environment.

• Encourage and secure the establishment of vocational rehabilitation centres and other institutions and other services for the welfare, rehabilitation and employment of PWD.
• Co-ordinate services provided in Kenya for the welfare and rehabilitation of PWD and to implement programmes for vocational guidance and counseling.

1. c) To register-
2. i) PWD
3. ii) Institutions, associations and organizations, including those controlled and managed by the government and local authorities, that provide services for the rehabilitation and welfare of PWD.

iii) Places at which services for the rehabilitation of PWD are provided

1. iv) PWD whose condition requires constant medical attention for the purpose of availing subsidized medical services.
2. d) To provide, to the maximum extent possible.
3. i) assertive devices, appliances and other equipment to PWD.
4. i) Access to available information and technical assistance to all institutions,

associations and organizations concerned with the welfare and rehabilitation of PWD, including those controlled with PWD.

1. e) To consult with the government in the formulation of suitable curricula for vocational rehabilitation centres and other training facilities for PWD.
2. f) To make provision for assistance to students with disabilities in the form of scholarships, loan programmes, fee subsidies and other similar forms of assistance in both public and private institutions.
3. g) To assess and report to the minister on the welfare and rehabilitation of PWD and to advise on the relative priorities to be given to the implementation of those measures.
4. h) To consult with the government in the provision of suitable affordable housing for PWD.
5. i) Generally to carry out measures for public information on the rights of PWD and the provisions of the act.
6. j) To perform such other functions in relations to the welfare and rehabilitation of PWD as the council may deem necessary.
7. k) To perform such other functions as may be assigned to the council under the act or any other act.

 Powers

The PWD ACT, 2003 further gives the Council the following powers:

1. i) To conduct inquiries into any matter relating to the welfare and rehabilitation of PWD
2. ii) To constitute committees consisting of its members, and where necessary to co-opt experts to serve on such committees with the approval of the Minister.

iii) To vest in or delegate to any committee constituted under paragraph (ii) such of the functions of the council as the council may with the approval of the minister determine.

1. iv) With the approval of the minister, to engage or make other arrangements with any person to carry out research on, or supply information on, any matter relating to the welfare and rehabilitation of PWD.