Promoting awareness and participation of PWDs in Education and other community-based programs Siaya County, Kenya
Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST) is proud to highlight the successful assessment of a transformative project aimed at enhancing the lives of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Siaya County, Kenya.
On June 23, 2025, the project titled “Promoting awareness and participation of PWDs in Education and other community-based programs Siaya County, Kenya” underwent a comprehensive assessment, showcasing its profound impact since its inception in 2018.
Leading the Charge: Under the dedicated leadership of Principal Investigator Dr. Charles Omoke, alongside Dr. Ruth Otieno and Prof. Onderi, this Education discipline project was awarded KES. 18,929,895.00, with KES. 18,583,030 already disbursed to drive its impactful initiatives.
Our Vision
Identification & Assessment: Refining methods to identify, assess, and categorize PWDs, including those who are gifted, talented, and with autism, for tailored interventions.
Policy Awareness: Enhancing community understanding of national policies on PWD inclusion.
Accessible Learning: Evaluating the impact of infrastructure and environment on learning outcomes for learners with special needs.
Technological Integration: Introducing new and integrated technologies into teacher training for special and inclusive education.
Participation Enhancement: Developing strategies to boost PWD participation in education and community programs.
Transformative Achievements:
State-of-the-Art Disability Skills Lab: Established at JOOUST, equipped with high-end assistive technologies like JAWS, Orbit Reader, and braille embossers, opening new avenues for learning.
Enhanced Mobility: Facilitated the distribution of 140 wheelchairs through valuable partnerships, greatly improving mobility and independence.
Increased Educational Access: Significantly boosted access to education for learners with visual impairments and intellectual disabilities.
Specialized Assessment Tools: Developed crucial assessment tools for autism, giftedness, and intellectual disabilities, benefiting from expert input from West Chester University (USA).
Widespread Awareness: Conducted intensive awareness campaigns across the county, leading to improved disability knowledge among political and community leaders.
Empowering Support Systems: Formed vital parent and caregiver support groups, particularly women-led, fostering peer learning and access to resources.
Unified Advocacy: Created a unified PWD leadership structure at the county level, empowering self-advocacy.
Policy & Budgetary Influence: Successfully influenced policy and budget allocations at the Siaya County Assembly, securing increased support for PWDs.
Institutional Mainstreaming: Instigated significant institutional change at JOOUST, establishing disability mainstreaming practices, including a dedicated Disability Mainstreaming Day and expanded inclusive research.
Life-Changing Technology Impact: Demonstrated the transformative power of education and technology, enabling PWDs, such as visually impaired student Irene Amundi, to access and deliver education through assistive technologies.
