In a bid to address the structural and human rights-related barriers impeding access to healthcare for persons with disabilities (PWDs), Deaf Empowerment Kenya (DEK) recently organized a disability inclusion workshop in Machakos County.
The Workshop sought to foster understanding and equip PWDs with tools to combat stigma, discrimination, and systemic challenges in accessing health services, particularly those related to HIV and TB treatment and prevention, Sexual reproductive health rights, gender-based violence profiling and referrals.
According to Joseph Gari, Director of DEAK, the initiative is part of a broader effort funded under the Global Fund HIV Grant Cycle 7 (GC7) for 2024-2027.
He explained that DEAK has been working alongside other disability groups and civil society organizations to address barriers to healthcare.
“We aim to train persons with disabilities on addressing human rights, gender, and equity-related obstacles to health services,” Gari said. “These challenges make PWDs more vulnerable to infections, lead to poorer health outcomes, and hinder access to HIV and TB services.”
In December, DEK convened a group of 40 individuals with various disabilities—physical, sensory, psychosocial, and intellectual—to discuss community-led efforts and analyze harmful laws, policies, and practices.
The participants, drawn from four broad categories of disability, were trained to champion inclusivity and report gender-based violence (GBV) and sexual and reproductive health (SRH) violations.
Gari emphasized the urgent need for Deaf-friendly HIV services. “Deaf individuals face significant challenges in healthcare settings. Communication barriers compromise their privacy and understanding of medical prescriptions, leading to errors and inadequate care,” he explained.
Wendy Chege, regional coordinator for the National Syndemic Disease Control Council (NSDCC), highlighted the council’s efforts to integrate disability-inclusive policies into HIV services.
“We are working closely with PWD groups to empower them and ensure they access HIV information in formats suited to their needs,” she said.
Grace Athe, a PWD champion and Program Officer at Women Challenged to Challenge (WCC), noted that stigma and ignorance among healthcare providers exacerbate the challenges. “Healthcare workers often question how a person with a disability contracted HIV, leading to judgment and discouraging PWDs from seeking testing or care,” she said. She also pointed to systemic neglect of PWDs’ sexual and reproductive rights, including forced sterilizations and lack of contraceptive information.
Similarly, Jackson Agufana, Executive Officer of the Kenya Union of the Blind (KUB), called for more accessible services. “Clinics and hospitals are often physically inaccessible, and providers lack the training to communicate effectively with PWDs, such as using sign language or offering information in Braille or audio formats,” he said.
Participants at the workshop emphasized the importance of policy reform in addressing these issues. “Medical training curriculums must be revised to ensure inclusivity and equip future healthcare workers to handle the needs of PWDs,” Grace urged. She highlighted the need for structural changes to combat stigma, discrimination, and the violation of PWDs’ sexual and reproductive health rights.
Despite international frameworks like the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which promotes equal rights to health for PWDs, Kenya still faces gaps in implementation. Advocates are calling for greater efforts to align policies with the convention and ensure equitable access to healthcare for all.
DEK’s initiatives, combined with support from Ministry of Health and NSDCC, represent a significant step toward addressing the systemic challenges faced by PWDs in Kenya.
Through workshops, training, and advocacy, they hope to dismantle barriers and create a more inclusive healthcare system that recognizes the rights and needs of all individuals.
