MIUSA was thrilled to receive an invitation from Namati, a global organization working with local communities to protect land rights and citizenship through law, to conduct a disability-led training for their Kenya-based staff.
MIUSA jumped at the opportunity to leverage our years of experience conducting fully accessible hybrid trainings and our global network of disability leaders, to offer a training that would be both locally- and disability-led.
MIUSA’s contracted three MIUSA alumni advisors from Kenya to contribute their knowledge, expertise, and experience as trainers. Working virtually with this team, we built on MIUSA’s unique model to design a uniquely accessible, interactive, rights-based, solution-focused training, to address Namati’s goals.
Kenyan trainers included:
- Josephine Kalunda Kakoma, Founder of the Kenya National Deaf Women Peace Network, located in Nairobi
- Jemimah Kutata, Resource Mobilization and Partnership Officer of The Association for the Physically Disabled of Kenya (APDK), and CEO and Founder of Mona Disabled Women Community Based Organization, located in Mombasa
- Habel Ouma, Chairman and Coordinator of the Kakamega Deaf Association (KDA), located in Mumias.
Coming from diverse regions across the country, Josephine, Jemimah and Habel convened in Nairobi on the day of the training. The accessible hotel conference room was soon buzzing with trainers, sign language interpreters and Namati staff, with MIUSA staff filling a Zoom screen at the front of the room. It was time to dig into all things disability!
Habel set the stage for a lively workshop, with welcoming remarks appreciating Namati’s important work. Habel also taught a few KSL signs, which Namati staff enthusiastically incorporated into their introductions.
Susan Sygall, MIUSA co-founder and CEO, followed suit with her trademark energy, passion, and change-maker spirit, leading a virtual exploration of MIUSA’s Guiding Principles for Disability Excellence.
After wrapping up Susan’s session with a showing of the MIUSA’s Loud, Proud and Passionate music video, MIUSA signed off, and our Kenyan training team took charge.
Jemimah, Josephine and Habel led Namati staff through a series of workshops and discussions, to really dig into the practical ‘how-to’s in each of Namati’s program areas. Discussions were framed around questions from Namati staff, and offered recommendations from the trainers for actions that Namati staff could implement in their day-to-day work.
Over the course of the day, Namati staff and MIUSA’s Kenyan trainers tackled practical questions, shared tips and outlined strategies to increase meaningful engagement of people with disabilities in citizenship, land rights, and legal empowerment & protection programs
At the end of the training, MIUSA rejoined to listen in as Namati teams reported out on specific actions they planned to take to:
- Engage people with disabilities as leaders in Namati’s work as consultants, staff, board members etc.
- Establish relationships with disability leaders, disability-led organizations and people with disabilities across Kenya
- Forecast and budget for disability-related accommodations
- Plan and arrange disability accommodations for all Namati activities
- Ensure that all Namati materials, digital and virtual media incorporate effective disability accommodations.
Following the training, staff shared their perspectives and plans to take action:
“I learnt practical ways to integrate disability inclusion into my daily work and, in the process, connected with a valuable network (of trainers) that will support continued learning and collaboration in future initiatives.”
“The trainers were very interactive and insightful!”
“[I will] ensure budgeting for inclusion of people with disabilities, develop an action plan outlining clear and practical steps to enhance physical accessibility of our office space for all staff and visitors, build staff capacity by organizing regular disability inclusion and awareness trainings.”
“[I will be] discussing more with our partners/paralegals on how to integrate accessibility into our work. Discuss accessibility with building management to improve access to the office.
“[I will] consult people with disabilities more when it comes to improving our website accessibility, data collection practices and general data strategy.
“[I will] map out and share PWD related funding to the community. Design learning materials that are inclusive to PWDs. Share and highlight stories of organizations led and advocating for PWD rights.
We were so impressed by Namati staff’s thoughtful and creative ideas to fully engage disabled community members in leadership, decision-making and programs and services.
It has been energizing and exciting, particularly during these trying times, to come together with powerful alumni leaders, to support innovative organizations like Namati to fulfill their commitment to excellence through disability leadership and engagement.
