Artcile by John Odhiambo Chair, DMC, CEMASTEA

During the 2020 National Diversity and Inclusion Awards & Recognition (DIAR) held at Sarit Expo Center, Nairobi, on Friday, March 12^th 2021, CEMASTEA was awarded a trophy for the best Government Institution People living with disability (PWD) inclusion. The trophy was delivered to CEMASTEA by James Maina, Executive Director, Daima Trust, Kenya. Daima Trust, Kenya, runs DIAR awards. The short award presentation ceremony was attended by Director CEMASTEA, Mrs Jacinta Akatsa, HSC. John Odhiambo DMC Chair, Joseph Ngugi DMC Vice-Chair and Thuo Karanja P.C. Chair.  Mr Maina having had the opportunity to tour the Centre and witness activities of the DMC's expressed that CEMASTEA well deserved the award.  He advised the Committee to have more PWDs work at CEMASTEA and training programmes to be more inclusive. He expressed the willingness to partner withCEMASTEA on such programmes.

Mrs, Jacinta Akatsa Director  CEMASTEA, receiving the 2020 Award from the Executive Director,  Daima Trust, Mr James Maina

Currently, CEMASTEA has within its staff three who are PWDs.

The Disability Mainstreaming Committee at CEMASTEA is the most active in implementing yearly performance contracting targets set by the Kenya Government. The Committee aims to improve service delivery to CEMASTEA clients continually and, in particular, those with Persons Living with Disabilities (PWDs). Since its inception, the Committee, with the support of Centre management, has implemented programmes that have greatly improved the physical infrastructure at the Centre and made it friendly for the mobility and comfort for PWDs.

Left: Main Ramp through the Administration Block to the classrooms and laboratories Right: Staff practicing Kenya Sign Language (KSL) as an ongoing best practice to ensure a friendly environment for the hearing impaired

Sample of initiatives focusing on infrastructure to accommodate persons living with disabilities (PWDs include building ramps and rails, disability-friendly washrooms, and modification of hostels rooms.  The Committee has also facilitated the training of more than 20 staff on basic Kenya Sign Language (KSL). The Committee works closely with the National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD), an established Government of Kenya Department whose mandate is to facilitate disability mainstreaming Programmes in the public and private sectors.  NCPWD has elevated CEMASTEA as a Centre of excellence concerning the Mainstreaming of PWDs programmes and recommends other government institutions to visit and benchmark the Committee's success.