2024 Session #3: Advancing Disability Rights in Africa: Challenges, Opportunities, and the Role of International Exchange:
February 15, 2024
The disability rights movement in Africa has made significant strides in recent years; however, challenges persist, highlighting the ongoing need for advocacy, policy reform, and societal awareness to ensure full inclusion and equal opportunities for people with disabilities in Africa. This session will feature a panel comprised of Fellows from the US Department of State-funded Professional Fellows Program on Inclusive Employment and the Professional Fellows Program on Inclusive Civic Engagement. The panelists will discuss the experiences of disability in their home countries, examine the African Disability Protocol, and assess the impact of cross-cultural exchange on disability rights. Together, the panel will explore the challenges and opportunities in advancing disability rights in Africa, highlighting the crucial role of international cooperation in fostering inclusivity
This event is co-sponsored by the Professional Fellows Program on Inclusive Civic Engagement, a program of the US Department of State, administered by the Institute for Community Inclusion (ICI) at the University of Massachusetts Boston in partnership with Humanity and Inclusion (HI).
Presenters:
Alan Herbert Onyango (moderator) TV Host and Producer, Signs Media TV Kenya
Founder and CEO, Black Albinism
Alan serves as a TV Host and Producer at Signs Media TV Kenya. Additionally, he is the Founder and CEO of Black Albinism, a non-governmental organisation committed to addressing the stigma and discrimination faced by individuals with Albinism. His TV program “Inclusion One-on-One,” serves as a platform for meaningful discussions with policymakers, disability rights leaders, and advocates, focusing on civic engagement for individuals with disabilities. Beyond his television commitments, Alan assumes the role of creative lead at AL Concepts, a media agency specialising in providing inclusive communication services and solutions to organisations representing persons with disabilities, as well as non-disabled entities seeking to engage disabled demographics. Alan participated in the Fall 2022 Professional Fellows Program on Inclusive Civic Engagement.
Fides Peter Uiso (panelist) Founder and CEO, Tanzania Epilepsy Foundation
Fides is the Founder and CEO of the Tanzania Epilepsy Foundation. As a mother of a child with epilepsy, she passionately advocates to end discrimination against those with epilepsy, protect the rights of people with disabilities, and ensure easy access to affordable, physician-directed, and person-centered healthcare. Inspired by her personal experience, Fides established the foundation to combat epilepsy-related stigma. Affiliated with the International League Against Epilepsy and the International Bureau for Epilepsy (IBE), the foundation has received global recognition. Fides has received prestigious awards, including the 2023 Rehabilitation International Centennial Award and the 2023 IBE Golden Light Award. She serves as the 2023 Child Health Champion for the Maternal Child Foundation, and participated in the Fall 2022 Professional Fellows Program on Inclusive Civic Engagement.
Salome Nyakio Gitau (panelist) Motivation Peer Trainer, Kenya
Salome serves as the Vice Chairperson of the Africa Spinal Cord Injury Network and is a motivation peer supporter for persons who recently acquired spinal cord injury (SCI). Trained by the Motivation Charitable Trust, Salome advocates for and alongside those adapting to life with SCI and using wheelchairs. This includes assisting them in accessing essential healthcare services, such as enrolling in Kenya’s National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF). Salome leads a team of volunteer peer motivation supporters and consistently recruits and trains more people to join her efforts. Her commitment and passion are further demonstrated by her participation in the Fall 2022 Professional Fellows Program on Inclusive Civic Engagement.
Erick Sande Oduor (panelist) Program Officer, United Disabled Persons of Kenya (UDPK)
Erick currently works as a program officer for United Disabled Persons of Kenya (UDPK). UDPK is the national federation of organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs) in Kenya, advocating for the inclusion and active participation of persons with disabilities in development processes and in all aspects of life. Prior to joining UDPK, Erick served as a spokesperson and advocacy officer for the Stammering Association of Kenya (SAK). In this capacity, Erick founded the “Listen to Us” initiative that seeks to remove barriers to disability inclusion, particularly for the stammering/stuttering community, through advocacy programs and mobilization of OPDs. Erick participated in the Spring 2023 Professional Fellows Program on Inclusive Civic Engagement.
Bijal Lal (panelist) Special Needs Educator, Al Muntazir International School, Tanzania, Founder of Tujumuishe Tanzania
Bijal is a special educator and founder of Tujumuishe Tanzania, an initiative dedicated to exploring, raising awareness, advocating, and learning about hidden disabilities. She is dedicated to enhancing access to quality inclusive education in Tanzania and champions the rights of persons with disabilities, especially those with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). At Al Muntazir International School, Bijal helps oversee the Special Needs Education Centre, supporting teacher education, curriculum development, and self-advocacy skills. Her research on sexual autonomy for women with IDD in Tanzania earned her the Vigdís Finnbogadóttir Award. Additionally, Bijal participated in the Fall 2019 Professional Fellows Program on Inclusive Employment.