Signs Media Kenya Limited (SMKL), a company that promotes disability inclusion, is working to sensitize police officers about disability mainstreaming.
SMKL believes that people with disabilities deserve the same opportunities as everyone else and that the police force should be a more inclusive institution.
Over 700 police officers from all over Kenya converged at the National Police Service Main Campus in Kiganjo, Nyeri County on Wednesday, March 23, 2023, for the first sensitization session.
The session was facilitated by Sara Kegoya and Philemon Okach, who are both experts on disability inclusion. They spoke about different barriers that people with disabilities face, such as attitudes related to stereotyping and prejudice, communication barriers, and physical barriers.
They encouraged the officers to promote equality and inclusion at their workplace in a bid to break these barriers.
They also highlighted the importance of including persons with disabilities in the police force, saying that it will contribute to the economy and help to create a more diverse and vibrant society.
Signs Media Talent Development Director Jared Getanda while addressing the session spoke about different ways in which people with disabilities can be included in the police force.
He noted the importance of providing accessible facilities and services, as well as training officers on how to interact with people with disabilities.
Getanda also informed the officers about the company’s products which include the assitALL app, the app connecting anybody across the world to sign language interpretation services, the Uhai Festival, a platform that brings together persons with disabilities through games and Signs TV which airs disability-related content, initiatives he said are helping to break the barriers that people with disabilities face.
The session was well-received by the officers, who said that they learned a lot about persons with disabilities and how they can be better served.