Effects of mainstreaming of policies for persons with disabilities on their participation in development in Baringo County, Kenya Kipserem Tecla Jemuge

Abstract

Various disability mainstreaming policies have been enacted and numerous programmes implemented to eliminate barriers that perpetuate Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) exclusion from participation in development. However, information on how these policies and programmes have translated into concrete improvements in PWDs participation in the devolved units is scarce. The purpose of this study was therefore to examine the effects of mainstreaming of policies for PWDs on their participation in development in Baringo County. Specifically, the study sought to establish the effect of the social protection policies in enabling PWDs full participation in development; to examine the effect of capacity building and economic empowerment policies in enhancing PWDs participation in development; and to determine the effect of physical accessibility policies and support structures in PWDs participation in development. This study was grounded on five models of disability: The Medical, Charity, Social, Economic and the Human Rights Models. The research employed both qualitative and quantitative methods. It adopted descriptive survey design since this allowed the study to define variables as they were during the time of the study. The study targeted 5200 PWDs living in Baringo County. Random sampling method was used to generate a sample of 371 respondents. The researcher used questionnaires for PWDs and interview schedules for key informants to collect data. Quantitative data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics and presented in tables while qualitative data was using thematic analysis and presented in narrative/verbatim quotes. The study established that the effects of disability mainstreaming policies (social protection, capacity building, economic empowerment and physical accessibility policies) were statistically significant on PWDs participation in development as they accounted for 51.1% variation in PWDs participation in development. Findings of the study indicate that the social protection policies have not been effective in enhancing the social welfare of PWDs as only 4% of PWDs are enrolled in the Cash Transfer programme and PWDs strongly disagreed that Ksh. 2000 monthly cash transfer stipend is adequate to enable them address their basic needs (Mean=1.26). Capacity building programmes had not facilitated acquisition of education due to limited funding from NCPWD. Only 8% of applicants were supported with bursaries leaving out 92% of needy applicants. Further training received by PWDs was inadequate to prepare them for future workplace due to limited modern facilities at the training centres. The study also established that NCPWD economic empowerment funds had facilitated the economic empowerment of PWDS in Baringo County through provision of grants to 60% of PWDs groups. However economic empowerment policies have little impact as more than half of PWDS (58%) are unemployed, only 4% of the PWDs are employed; 38% are in self- employment however they have difficulty in accessing government tenders and loans/funds from financial service providers. The study further established that the physical accessibility policy has not been fully implemented as PWDS strongly disagreed (Mean=2.02) that most of the public places and buildings in Baringo County are disability friendly. Therefore this study recommends that the National Government increases funding to the social protection Programme to increase the number of slots for PWDs beneficiaries and the County Government of Baringo establishes a complimentary social protection programme to reach out to more needy PWDs in the county; the National Council for Persons With Disabilities (NCPWD) increases bursary funding and the county government of Baringo gives special consideration to bursary application from PWDs; the government equips training institutions with sufficient modern facilities; the government reduces the bureaucracy in accessing affirmative action funds; financial institutions to offer loan facilities that are friendly to PWDs; and NCPWD to fast track the implementation of the Physical Accessibility policy in all public buildings, hospitals, government offices and social places.