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{
"id": 1267118,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1267118/?format=api",
"text_counter": 311,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Crystal Asige",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": null,
"content": "Persons with Disabilities want and need to access City Hall, court houses, police stations Huduma Centers, education institutions, sporting venues, houses of worship, malls and supermarkets, cinemas and museums, restaurants and even bars and night clubs. It may be hard to believe but we do not only visit hospitals and therapy facilities as PWDs. We have a life and we want to live it as fully as we can. In order to align the functions of the council with the Constitution of Kenya, this Bill proposes to enhance the powers and functions of the National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) by including functions that require the Council to liaise and consult with county Governments and other relevant agencies. The Bill seeks to ensure that county Governments are consulted by the Ministry responsible for sports as well, when developing designs to make sports facilities accessible to PWDs. We call these adaptive sports facilities. Further, in keeping with the current technological developments of the world, the NCPWD is required to undertake research and recommendations of new technology including assistive devices, mobility aids and rehabilitation therapies. In accessibility in the built environment affects every part of our experience. The correlation may not be obvious but allow me to explain. As PWDs, inaccessible primary schools mean that we often receive far less adequate early child hood interaction. Inaccessible high schools mean that we miss out on the integral adolescent education that we need. Inaccessible university campuses mean that we miss out on the qualifications that we need to be employable. If we manage to withstand all these barriers, still we battle, as adults, with inaccessible work places, public transport systems and stations as well as inaccessible essential services including health and wellness, financial recreational, cultural and governmental services, This Bill also proposes to deal with the realisation of rights and incentives for PWDs. The Bill is specific on the following rights among others - The right to equality and non-discrimination, the right to legal capacity and the right to marry and form a family. Also, the right to human dignity, the right to education, the right to work and the right to health. The Bill provides for incentives and reliefs including tax exemptions, incentives for local manufactures of assistive devices, access to credit, exemption to taxable income if you are an employer PWD and exemption from postal charges. The Bill makes provisions against harmful practices, torture and cruel treatments against PWDs, providing for life imprisonment on conviction. The Bill also amends the Films and Stage Plays Act to compel makers of film to make such films accessible to PWDs, which I personally very much enjoy as a provision. Madam Temporary Speaker, we have an obligation to ensure that PWDs are at long last recognised, respected and included in our society. Building the environment through inclusive development is far more than just development. I see it as a common thread that either brings PWDs closer to or further away from the dignity, independence, safety, confidence, equity and inclusion that we work twice as hard to enjoy every day."
}