Strengthening OPDs in Kenya: Co-Creating a More Inclusive Future Through Technology
- KBTA Author
- Apr 23
- 3 min read
Across Kenya, Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) are at the forefront of advancing inclusion, advocating for rights, and shaping policies that impact their communities. Yet, many OPDs continue to face systemic barriers: limited access to assistive technology, gaps in capacity, and constrained opportunities to influence decision-making spaces.
At Kilimanjaro Blind Trust Africa (KBTA), we are working to change this.
In partnership with the Global Disability Innovation Hub (GDI Hub) under the AT2030 Programme, and with support from UK International Development, KBTA is implementing a transformative project aimed at strengthening the capacity, influence, and impact of OPDs across Kenya.
This work comes at a pivotal time.
With the introduction of the Disability Act 2025, Kenya has taken an important step toward strengthening the rights, inclusion, and protection of persons with disabilities. The Act signals progress, recognising the need for accessibility, equal opportunities, and stronger institutional support.
But policy alone is not enough.
For the promise of the Act to translate into real change, OPDs must be equipped to engage with it, to interpret it, advocate around it, and hold systems accountable.
And that is where this work becomes urgent.
A Co-Created Approach
What makes this initiative unique is its emphasis on co-creation. Rather than designing solutions in isolation, this project places OPDs at the center, working alongside communities and key stakeholders to shape practical, relevant, and sustainable outcomes.
Two key outputs are guiding this work:
The OPD Country Level Strategy for Kenya
A forward-looking framework designed to guide policymakers and stakeholders on how technology—including assistive technology—can better support OPDs and drive disability inclusion.
The OPD Capacity Building Framework
A practical, user-centered resource tailored for OPDs, guiding how to strengthen their operations, leverage technology, and enhance their advocacy efforts.
Together, these frameworks aim to bridge the gap between policy and practice,ensuring that OPDs are not only included in conversations but are equipped to lead them.
“We don’t want strategies that sit on shelves. We want something we can use. Something that helps us engage with laws like this and make sure they work for our people.” - OPD leader Kisumu
Grounded in Evidence and Lived Experience
This project builds on extensive needs assessments conducted between October 2024 and June 2025. These assessments highlighted critical challenges, including:
Limited access to assistive technologies
Capacity gaps within OPDs
Barriers to effective advocacy and policy engagement
By grounding the project in real experiences and data, we are ensuring that the solutions developed are both relevant and impactful.
Building Momentum Across Regions
To bring these insights to life, KBTA has been convening regional OPD workshops in Nairobi, Mombasa, and Kisumu. These workshops are more than just meetings—they are collaborative spaces where OPD leaders share experiences, exchange knowledge, and collectively design solutions to shared challenges.
They are also helping to strengthen peer networks, fostering a sense of community and collective action among OPDs across the country.
Amplifying Voices, Driving Change
At its core, this project is about amplifying the voices of persons with disabilities and ensuring they have the tools, knowledge, and platforms needed to influence change.
By integrating technology and assistive solutions into OPD strategies and operations, we are not only enhancing their capacity, we are unlocking new possibilities for inclusion, independence, and participation.
Looking Ahead
As the project continues, more workshops, engagements, and co-creation sessions will take place across Kenya. Each step brings us closer to a future where OPDs are stronger, more connected, and better equipped to drive disability inclusion at every level.
This is not just a project: it is a movement towards a more inclusive society, shaped by the voices and leadership of persons with disabilities themselves.
Read the full project report: https://lnkd.in/dXrgpgiS
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