Kisumu County Persons with Disabilities awareness handbook is on course.
This initiative is spearheaded by the County Communication technical team under the guidance of the Governor’s Advisor on matters disability, Madam Caroline Agwanda, and funded by the Miral Foundation.
It is in the light of this that a forum was organized to engage with organizations of persons with disabilities to ensure that their needs, aspirations, and views are incorporated in the guide book and their expectations met.
Speaking during the forum, the CECM for Public Service, Administration and participatory Development Mr. Salmon Orimba thanked the Miral Foundation and KOICA for partnering with the County towards the realization of the awareness handbook.
In his definition of disability as a barrier that hinders full participation of the people in the community, he called on the participants to give their views that will inform and promote inclusivity in all spheres.
Reiterating Governor’s passion on inclusivity, the CECM said the idea of having champions given opportunity at different fora in the community to create awareness is key. He further proposed that the County can have a PWD day to showcase their abilities or talents.
He promised support for the most immediate needs that can be prioritized and attached to a budget. On internet connectivity of the County Library, the CECM promised to liaise with the concerned departments to ensure internet connections that will enable the PWDs to access information via special computer programs in the library.
The manager Miral Foundation, Hyesu Jeong expressed her appreciation that Miral Foundation has been associated with the initiative. As Miral she said, they are passionate about improving people’s lives.
Her Counterpart Lilian Atieno a specialist on health and awareness programs, echoed her sentiments saying they support children with disability, in Kisumu targeting children in Nyando.
On her part, Madam Caroline Agwanda, said the awareness handbook will help bridge the gap. The use of champions and the local media she said would ensure the information circulates to the grassroots.
Exuding confidence on the existing legal frameworks that advocates for inclusivity, Madam Caroline is optimistic of coming up with a well-organized handbook that will be used to create awareness and to train departments on matters inclusivity and accessibility considerations.
