1.4.4 Partnering with OPDs
Kenya is one of the first countries in Africa to create legislation for persons with disabilities and, in 2008, ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities(CRPD). This was accomplished due to the advocacy work of organisations of persons with disabilities and activists working in Kenya. United Disabled Persons of Kenya (UDPK), the umbrella organisation for OPDs in Kenya, reports that there are over 200 operational OPDs. This provides a big pool for partnering with OPDs on advocacy and influencing.
For successful advocacy and influencing on issues related to disability inclusion and inclusive employment, TVET/HE should partner with various OPDs. Partnering with OPDs aligns with the disability rights slogan “nothing about us without us” which highlights the importance of representation and meaningful participation across the disability rights movement. Partnering with OPDs also aligns with the SDG theme, “Leave no One Behind” which underpins S4PKe’s programme.
OPDs and their members bring lived experience, which informs programming decisions taken or advocating for them. Many OPDs and their members regularly speak in international and national fora and thus bring onboard invaluable influencing skills and knowledge to any partnership.
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