The Group Holding the Inclusive report during the launch
A new report looking into the Built Environment in Nairobi is inclusive for persons with disabilities was launched.
The report found that Nairobi is experiencing rapid growth and investment infrastructure which offers great potential to embed inclusion.
The city has complex urban development challenges with roads and transportation commonly cited as major
challenges.
The report titled: Case Study Report on Inclusive Design and Accessibility of the Built Environment was made possible through data collection using various techniques including Face to face interviews, workshops, and photo diaries.
The research was conducted under the UK Aid Funded AT2030 program and was delivered by three partners: Global Disability Innovation Hub, Kilimanjaro Blind Trust Africa, and Kounkuey Design Initiative.
Global Disability Innovation Hub (GDI Hub) is a world-leading research and practice center driving disability innovation for a fairer world. Operational in 41 countries, with more than 70 partners, GDI Hub has reached more than 28 million people since launching in 2016.
Kilimanjaro Blind Trust Africa (KBTA) is a charitable Trust based in Nairobi, Kenya. KBTA provides access to digital Braille literacy & life skills to children and young adults with visual impairment and deaf-blindness.
KBTA serves over 3,000 learners across 200 schools in Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda have been working with children and young adults with visual impairments in Africa for over a decade.
Kounkuey Design Initiative (KDI) is a non-profit design and community development organization. KDI partners with under-resourced communities to advance equity and activate the unrealized potential in neighborhoods and cities. KDI works with residents to transform unsafe and under-used sites into productive public spaces.
Speaking during the launch of Chief Executive Officer, KILIMANJARO BLIND TRUST AFRICA, Ms. Suparna Biswas stated that the research encountered disconnection between the policy. ”During the data collection process we noticed that there is a disconnect between the policy and the actual footing within Nairobi and a lot of advocacy is required to change things,” Ms. Suparna Biswas said.
The study was conducted between July 2021 and December 2021 and found key areas presenting barriers to accessibility including Transport and Roads, Housing and Infrastructure, Recreation and Culture, and Daily Activities and Services.
During the launch of the Inclusive Infrastructure report, which looks at the challenges and issues surrounding access and inclusion in the city of Nairobi. The report puts forward recommendations for key urban stakeholders. Persons with disabilities face many challenges, especially in a building that is not designed to include them.
Accessing the built environment can be difficult and this new report is recommending a
comprehensive approach to inclusion as McKinnon states. “This report provides a series of recommendations for new buildings and retrofitting existing buildings and infrastructure, including transport. Looking forward I think the government has some of the tools that it needs, it has the political will and a vision that we can follow.” McKinnon observed.
UK Aid funding is enabling collaboration with the Kenya government through the AT2030 program to create inclusive environments for persons with disabilities. “UK Aid funding is supporting the Kenyan Govt through the AT2030 program, we are working in partnership. So I hope the report will have a really good impact on change.” McKinnon affirmed.
Mikaela Patrick is a researcher and designer at GDI Hub with a background in health, innovation, and architecture and leads the research on the AT2030 Inclusive Infrastructure sub-program and this report.
Mikaela said that the report has important recommendations for persons with disabilities and how to create a more inclusive city. “Today we’ve heard from the main findings of the study, which is documenting the real-life experiences of persons with disabilities living in Nairobi and documenting what it is that they want to see a change in the city. Some of the most important topics we covered included things like housing, transport, and roads. These are the areas where persons with disabilities want us to work to
make the city more inclusive.” Ms. Mikaela Patrick stated.
The AT2030 Inclusive Infrastructure project is a research program. Persons with disabilities living in Nairobi are actively involved in research activities and co-creators of the research. The program encourages collaborations with local NGOs and Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) to support employment opportunities for local people and local capacity-building for research. As Mikaela stated: “We value and appreciate our partner’s and participants’ time in the research. So if someone has
engaged in the research, they will have their travel expenses reimbursed, they will receive lunch and we will ensure the activities are accessible for all participants however this is not a funding program” Mikaela Patrick says.
Mikaela explained that under other aspects of the AT2030 program there have been funding and support opportunities, primarily for assistive technology entrepreneurs and investors. “There are other parts of the program that are providing funding for assistive technology innovations to scale, you can learn more about this by looking up the AT Impact Fund.”
Mikaela Patrick added that the recommendations in the recently launched report are valuable for various stakeholders including government and industry. Government stakeholders can use their leadership to shape policies and programs that can influence other stakeholders to make the city more inclusive for persons with disabilities. “My first suggestion would be to look at the report and the detailed guides that are contained within that, and for the government, I would say they have a real opportunity to lead by example. They are already demonstrating leadership, now it’s time to support good implementation” Mikaela Patrick says.
She finally concludes by asking the government to champion the report to create an accessible city. “So from the government stakeholders we’ve spoken to we’ve learned there is a desire to champion inclusion and to make the city more accessible for persons with disabilities. There is momentum here around inclusive leadership that can be built on to encourage the implementation of good inclusive urban development.” Ms. Mikaela Patrick said.
During the launch, the speakers spoke about building a picture of the current state of inclusive design and accessibility of the built environment, outlining current challenges and areas of opportunity. Speakers and research partners included decision-makers, local stakeholders and communities, international funders, and global experts.
The report on Nairobi forms part of a series of case studies that will set out the potential for the inclusive mode to address existing barriers to inclusion for persons with disabilities on a global scale.
Persons with disabilities in Nairobi can benefit from a more inclusive urban life and the importance of an inclusive built environment is clear.
Find out more about the case study here: https://at2030.org/case-study-nairobi/
