Deaf Awareness Week Spotlight: Mativo, The Advocate Forging Inclusion After Late-Life Deafness.
Matters Disability Updated: 26 September 2025 14:49 EAT
Deaf Awareness Week wraps up with an inspiring episode of Signs TV’s Hashtag Podcast, featuring the story of a prominent advocate, Richard Mativo Musau.
Mativo's journey is unique; he was born hearing but became Deaf while pursuing his university education, a change that required him to learn sign language.
This experience profoundly shaped his perspective, propelling him into a career dedicated to fighting for disability rights and an inclusive world.
Mativo, currently the Country Director for Light for the World, Kenya, is a powerful voice in the push for an inclusive society.
His organization focuses heavily on the employment of persons with disabilities. According to Mativo, this includes advocacy programs to train and employ individuals with disabilities, awareness campaigns targeting employers, and conducting accessibility audits in workplaces.
Drawing on his own experience, Mativo notes that while Kenya is not faring excellently in sign language use, it is doing its best when compared to other East African nations.
He believes there is a need for continued effort to improve communication and accessibility nationwide.
Want to hear directly from Richard Mativo about his incredible journey?
Catch the full, inspiring interview about his transition to Deafness and his powerful work in disability rights advocacy. The story is available right now on our YouTube page (https://youtu.be/vj3ntZP_0vU) and Facebook channel (https://www.facebook.com/share/v/16uiLMT6qx/)—click the link and watch to see how one man's challenge became a mission for inclusion!
Tags: Deaf Deaf Awareness Week NCPWD Richard Mativo Editor's Pick
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Selestine Nyongesa
Experienced and versatile writer, dedicated to using my exceptional writing and editing skills to inform and advocate. My work focuses on educating and entertaining readers on a range of topics, with a particular expertise in matters of disability.