UoN Marks the International day of Persons with Disability 2024
The International Day of Persons with Disability is commemorated on December 3 of every year. The University of Nairobi held an event on December 6, 2024 under the theme, ‘Fostering Disability Inclusive and Sustainable Future for all’
The Dean of Students, Disability Liaison Officer, and UoN staff and students gathered to mark this memorable occasion. On December 5, 2024, the students gathered outside Taifa Hall and engaged on indoor games. On December 6, 2024, the commemoration culminated with some cake cutting, panel discussions, music, dance and keynote presentations.
‘Leverage on technology, Network, and don’t wait for favourable conditions to make your moves,’ are some of the messages that were echoed through the discussions.
The Dean of Students, Mr. Johnson Kinyua shared with the students and staff the resources that the University has invested in to improve their experience while in campus.
Mr. Stanley Mutuma, Advocate of the High Court & UoN Alumni , gave a testimonial challenging the students to have a different outlook at their life. He said, ‘There will be no Universities, hospitals and other institutions specifically for Persons with Disability. He narrated a testimonial, ‘There is this one time, my friends and I decided to go on a holiday, we were 5 blind men and we saved and went for a holiday in Mombasa; we wanted to see what would happen!’
‘Embrace life, network, do everything that your heart desires, I reiterate what my colleagues have said, don't expect special treatment out of pity, and don't wait for people to treat you differently. Now that you are here at the University when your colleagues go out to play games and engage in social activities, don't remain in your room, engage.’
Richard Mativu, CBM International while delivering his keynote on, ‘Presentation on Disability Inclusive Development (National, Regional and International perspectives)’ also narrated his experience of how he became completely deaf while he was in 3rd year. The challenges that he had to go through and how he had to quickly adapt to the loss of hearing; ‘I am an Alumni of this University. I became deaf when I was in 3rd year and I had to adapt. I had to follow the lecturers after classes and try and get notes. Everyone was wondering how I was deaf and yet I could talk. I was the one to teach the society how to treat me and embrace me. My advice to you as a PWD student is, Never feel sorry for yourself, never expect people to care and don't believe in the myths and misconceptions of PwDs.’
During the panel discussions, the issue of leveraging on technology was discussed at length. There are so many innovative mobile phone applications that have eased access to PWDs.
Ms Mildred Omino, the Disability Liaison officer encouraged all the students and staff that are living with Disability to contact the office so that they can be assisted and connected with various support groups available within the University.
By celebrating the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the University of Nairobi aims to reaffirm its commitment to inclusivity, accessibility, and empowerment. Together, we can foster an environment that embraces diversity and supports the rights and potential of all individuals.
