Kenya launches website to assist people with disabilities

Persons with disabilities will now be able to access and view web-based content much more easily thanks to the launch of a website tailored for them.

The Communication Commission of Kenya (CCK) and the National Council for Persons with Disabilities on Thursday officially launched the Kenya Disability Web Portal, (http://kenyadisability.or.ke/) which brings together information relevant to people with disabilities.

The launch was held on the first day of a two-day workshop on e-accessibility for persons with disabilities.

“As the sector regulator, the Commission will continue supporting mechanisms that ensure persons with disabilities are able to benefit from the opportunities provided by ICT” acting CCK director-general Francis Wangusi said.

The website is a means to provide and enhance information access, create awareness about disability as a human right issue for persons with disabilities, as well as keep them information available services for their needs.

The website will also let them know of available job opportunities, have an event calendar and a resource centre.

Mr Wangusi said “the commission will ensure all citizens can access communication services irrespective of social status. The world is becoming more and more ICT-centred and person with disabilities are keeping up with the change."\

Kenyatta University in Nairobi introduced computers for the visually impaired several years ago, which can be fitted with applications that read out loud to help the person know the contents of a web page.

In his speech, Dr James Nyikal, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Gender, Children and Special Development urged web professionals to consider the needs of persons with disabilities when developing webpages.

He noted the progress that CCK has made in addressing the access barriers for the community.

"The portal has taken into account the different forms of disability and it with this mind-set that it has been created.”

The aim is to ensure that people with low vision, total visual disability, hearing impairment, intellectual challenges among others will be able to use the portal’” said Dr Nyikal.