Information access Bill seeks reprieve for people with disabilities

By Dennis Onyango and Domnick Mitiro

Kisumu, Kenya: People with hearing and visual disabilities in Kisumu County will be able to easily access information if a motion currently before the county assembly becomes law.

The motion dubbed Information Accessibility was tabled by the nominated member representing people with disabilities Carolyne Agwanda and seeks to compel the county government to put in place measures to ensure the group accesses important information.

The mover noted that people with both visual and hearing impairments in the county are not able to access information due to how the information is passed during public meetings, in the offices and advertisements.

Missed opportunities

“This is contrary to Articles 35 and 54 of the Constitution, Disability Act Sections 23 and 24, Section 39 on sign language and television section which back access to information for every citizen,” said Ms Agwanda.

While discussing the motion, the Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) welcomed the move saying it will position the county as the first one to make laws favouring the disadvantaged group.

The MCAs lamented that there had been laxity in enforcing the Disability Act as outlined in the Constitution, saying they must put mechanisms to ensure that the law is implemented in region.

Nominated MCA Lydia Odhiambo claimed some members of the group have missed employment chances in the county because they lack information regarding availability of the opportunities.

Lack of knowledge

“Some of them have failed to secure the jobs not because they are unqualified but due to lack of knowledge about the existence of such opportunities,” she said.

Aggrey Ogosi of East Seme ward threatened to seek legal redress in case the county government fails to enforce the new regulation.

“Some of us have suffered long enough. The county administration must put in efforts to implement this law,” he said.

 Moses Ochele of East Kano said: “It is sad that up to this digital era, there is still disparity in information accessibility. We must fix the situation in our county.”

Assembly whip Isaiah Onyango said denying a particular group of people access to information is dehumanising and suggested that the county should set pace by implementing regulations friendly to people with disability.

“Our Hansard reports should come in large fonts, on screens, in braille and sign interpreters should relay the same information to persons with hearing impairments.

In the new legislation, there should be an interpreter in the assembly to assist MCAs and members of the public with hearing challenges. The same will apply to other public gatherings in the area to benefit all members of the community.

Further, public institutions will be required to hire sign language experts to assist the hearing impaired.

Suggestions were made in the county assembly to introduce sign language as a subject in all the public institutions.

The initiative comes barely two weeks after the assembly passed a law seeking to enhance accessibility to all public buildings in the area by people with disability.