Sande O. Erick

Stuttering & Disability Inclusion Champion | Professional Fellows Program (PFP) Fellow | Bridge CRPD_SDGs Fellow | A Person with a Stutter

[UDPK @UDPKenya]

In the just concluded #SRHR Dialogue, a major call included enforcing and implementing existing laws and policies. Governments were called upon to move beyond mere endorsement and to guarantee access to sexual and reproductive health services with proper implementation guidance, budgets, and accountability. #AccessibleHealth

@ADFSecretariat @IDA_CRPD_Forum

[UDPK @UDPKenya]

It took time to get here. To some, it cost them time, to some, it cost them freedom and to others, it cost them their love. But all is not lost. We now enjoy the fruits of their sacrifices, we learn from their fight for freedom, fight for recognition and meaningful participation.

On #MashujaaDay2026 we honour and celebrate all the #DisabilityAdvocates. The disability movement in Kenya is what it is today because of your wise choices.

May we carry the work forward so that those coming after us have more room to choose, to participate and to challenge the systems.

[UDPK @UDPKenya]

What does inclusion look like from a child’s point of view?

At the National Symposium on Advancing Disability-Inclusive Pre-Primary Education in Kenya, UDPK CEO Sally Nduta (@Sallynduta1) urged participants to listen to children with disabilities when making decisions about their education.

Children have spoken about wanting to join clubs, use accessible washrooms and have clean water at school. Sally reminded participants that these experiences shape a child’s health, dignity and ability to take part in learning.

She also called for attention to caregivers, Kenyan Sign Language access, safeguarding and ways to keep children learning when floods disrupt schooling.

As we examine the study findings, children’s views and the different barriers they face must help shape the actions that follows.
#InclusiveEducation #ECDE #DisabilityInclusion

African Child Policy Forum (ACPF)

[UDPK @UDPKenya]

Strong disability movements begin with strong organizations. Today, we engaged a the Kilifi County OPD Umbrella Network, identifying key priorities to strengthen governance, coordination, representation, and collective advocacy for persons with disabilities. Together, we are building stronger, more inclusive OPDs and a more coordinated disability movement in Kilifi County @KilifiCountyGov

[UDPK @UDPKenya]

Disability-inclusive elections require collective action.
@UDPKenya convened organizations of persons with disabilities (#OPDs), aspirants with disabilities, leaders of disability wings within political parties, young leaders with disabilities, and civil society organizations(#CSOs) to generate insights for the Disability Electoral Reform Agenda and build consensus on priority advocacy issues for disability-inclusive elections ahead of the 2027 General Election. The discussions reaffirmed our shared commitment to ensuring persons with disabilities can participate fully, effectively and equally throughout the electoral cycle. @UraiaTrust @CRECOKenya @CMDKenya @elogkenya @IEBCKenya @ORPPKenya

[Sande O. Erick @SandeOErick]

Do you remember when you joined X? I do! #MyXAnniversary

[UDPK @UDPKenya]

If a court has an accessible building with ramps and allocated parking spaces for persons with disabilities, does this ensure access to justice for persons with disabilities?

For many women and girls with disabilities, harmful stereotypes continue to influence how they are treated when seeking justice. Their credibility is often questioned, while the reasonable accommodations needed for equal participation in legal processes are frequently overlooked.

In partnership with International Commission of Jurists (@icj_org )we are convening justice actors, Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs), civil society organizations, and legal practitioners to strengthen understanding of disability rights, gender equality, and access to justice while creating space for dialogue between communities and justice institutions.

Through the shared learnings and evidence-based discussions, the workshops aim to support an accessible justice system that considers all the components and not just infrastructural accessibility. #AccessToJustice #WomenAndGirls

[UDPK @UDPKenya]

Beryl's* (not her real name) court case has been postponed several times because the court is unable to provide her with a sign language interpreter. For her, this is not only frustrating but it is also a violation of her rights.

Last week in Kisumu, the United Disabled Persons of Kenya (UDPK), together with the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ), held a series of engagements focused on improving access to justice for persons with disabilities and promoting the rights of women and girls with disabilities.

On the first day, representatives from Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs), women's rights groups, and community leaders came together to discuss issues on:

1. Promoting the rights of persons with disabilities

2. Improving access to justice

3. Addressing harmful attitudes and misconceptions about disability and gender

4. Strengthening cooperation among community organizations

On the second day, representatives from the justice sector and OPDs met to review and discuss the Draft Country Guide on Combating Disability and Gender Stereotypes.

Participants shared their personal experiences, highlighting the many barriers that persons with disabilities still face, like Beryl when seeking justice. These include inaccessible buildings, negative attitudes, communication barriers, and procedures that do not adequately accommodate their needs.

The discussions emphasized the importance of involving persons with disabilities in decisions, laws, and justice processes that affect their lives. They also highlighted the need for closer cooperation between justice institutions and OPDs to help ensure equal access to justice for everyone.

#AccessToJustice #DisabilityRights #Inclusion #WomenWithDisabilities #LeaveNoOneBehind #UDPKenya

@ICJ_org @NderituMash

[UDPK @UDPKenya]

We are fully represented at the thirteenth session of the #WorldUrbanForum.

The session's theme is "Housing the world: Safe and resilient cities and communities," and our role is clear; to champion for inclusive and accessible housing for persons with disabilities.

Join us virtually for the "Beyond Accessibility: Realizing the Right to Adequate Housing for All," roundtable where our disability inclusion advisor, Sandra Odhiambo will be speaking tomorrow, 20th May.

Learn more about the session and watch live using the following link; https://t.co/fhXDnCU7fF #WUF #InclusiveHousing #AccessibleHousing

@UNHABITAT @WUF_UNHabitat @IDA_CRPD_Forum @ADFSecretariat

[Sande O. Erick @SandeOErick]

Delighted to be party of OPD delegation at the 87th Ordinary Session; reviewing Kenya under the African Charter and Maputo Protocol in Gambia. Grateful to @UDPKenya, @ICJ_Africa and @ADFSecretariat for the opportunity to advocate for disability inclusion and justice #ACHPR87OS

[African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights @achpr_cadhp]

We have come to the end of Day 8 of #ACHPR87OS!

Thank you to all our distinguished stakeholders who participated today. We look forward to your continued engagement tomorrow.

#HumanRightsinAfrica #ACHPR40

[UDPK @UDPKenya]

During the #DisabilityDialogue gala dinner, we had the opportunity to celebrate our very own award winners.

Out of the five award presented, one was awarded to a young person with disability and the other was awarded to a caregiver

Marcus Malingi, the young person clinched the Emerging Changemaker Award. Marcus, a student at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, has been on the frontline in bringing students with disabilities in the different counties together to have a collective voice.

Judith Ochoma, a caregiver to an adult with a disability took home the Outstanding Care Partner Award.

The other awards, the Disability Leadership Excellence Award, the Media and Storytelling for inclusion Award and the Outstanding County Inclusion Award were awarded to different partners. #SupportingOurOwn

[Sande O. Erick @SandeOErick]

Ikonge, Nyamira has been a great host.

[Sande O. Erick @SandeOErick]

@MissNasike Happiest birthday Claire

[UDPK @UDPKenya]

The United Disabled Persons of Kenya (UDPK), through the #WeCanWork Project, is inviting qualified #consultants and firms to express interest in producing Kenya Sign Language (KSL) videos with transcriptions of key disability policy and legal documents. The assignment focuses on improving access to information for the Deaf and strengthening inclusive participation in disability rights and development processes.

The consultancy will involve translating and interpreting the Africa Disability Protocol, the Persons with Disabilities Act 2025, the Persons with Disabilities National Policy, and selected national and county-level programs into high-quality, accessible KSL video content. Deliverables include professionally produced videos, synchronized captions, editable files for future use, and a plain-language user guide.

The assignment will run for four weeks, under the supervision of the UDPK Programs Team. Consultants with experience in sign language interpretation, accessible communication, disability rights, and inclusive video production are encouraged to apply. Persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to submit applications.

Deadline for submission: Friday, 19 December 2025 at 5:00 PM
Application subject: Application for Sign Language Interpretation of Key Policy Documents on Disability Inclusion

Scan the QR code on the poster or click the following link https://t.co/dl22o2dnkI for more information.

This initiative is part of UDPK’s ongoing commitment to advancing accessibility, inclusion, and equal access to information for persons with disabilities in Kenya.

[UDPK @UDPKenya]

Sixty-two years ago, Kenya chose self-rule. Since then, we have grown through generations shaped by hope, resistance, reform, and renewal. Each year adds another layer to our national story, written by the citizens who continue to push the country forward.

At 62, we celebrate the freedoms gained while acknowledging the responsibilities that come with them. A republic is not sustained by history alone, but by daily choices to uphold dignity, justice, and inclusion for all.

Happy 62nd #JamhuriDay!

[Sande O. Erick @SandeOErick]

Happy Jamhuri Day 2025

[International Disability Alliance (IDA) @IDA_CRPD_Forum]

This #HumanRightsDay, IDA stresses that disability rights are everyday essentials.

From health care to education and employment, these rights open real opportunities for 1.3B persons with disabilities.

OPDs are leading the way forward.
#DisabilityInclusion #OPDs @UN_GDF @GDS_Disability @UN

[UDPK @UDPKenya]

As we mark the Human Rights Day, we acknowledge that the rights of persons with disabilities are not a separate or an optional category. They are part of the full set of rights that every human being is entitled to. A person does not need a special status to deserve dignity, safety, access, opportunity, and equality. #HumanRightsDay2025 #HumanRightsDay

[UDPK @UDPKenya]

We owned the Streets of Nairobi during the #InternationalDayOfPersons with Disabilities. Taking disability inclusion to the streets, most of our audience were ready to learn the different aspects of inclusion.

It was also a day to witness the young advocates and influencers in action. They all did a great job, encouraging their fellows to participate and speak about their disabilities and what they do.

Some people confessed that despite them wanting to include persons with disabilities, they knew nothing about them or how to include them. And this affirmed the importance of the street awareness and the social behavioural change communications.

We encouraged these young leaders to take similar awareness sessions back to their communities, widening the reach of disability inclusion and strengthening the movement across Kenya. #IDPD #IDPD2025

@047County @ADFSecretariat @LftWKE @MastercardFdn @SallyNduta1

[UDPK @UDPKenya]

During National Commemoration of the #DisabilityDay, @UDPKenya Board Chairperson @eric_ngondi delivered remarks calling National ,and county Governments, @TurkanaCountyKE, @GarissaGov , @DRSKenya ,@LabourSPKE ,UNHCR @Refugees and other development partners to ensure that implementation of SHIRIKA PLAN is fully inclusive of refugees with disabilities,

He further urged stakeholders to improve access to essential services for persons with disabilities ,including for refugees with disabilities, including their registration by @Ncpwds, documentation, and recognition.

The Chairperson also called on organizations of persons with disabilities #OPDs to adopt an inclusive lens in their programming and ensure that refugees with disabilities are meaningfully included in their leadership, activities and interventions.

Finally, he emphasized the need for the full implementation of the Persons with Disabilities Act 2025, including expanded access to livelihood opportunities and resources to advance the realization of a truly inclusive society.

#Refugees
@KNBStats @Refugees @IRAP @KHRC @RCKKenya @HakiKNCHR @NGECKenya @RefugeesMedia @InteriorKE @DRSKenya @GarissaGov @InteriorKE @Ncpwds @TurkanaCountyKE @UDPKenya @RCKKenya @Ncpwds @LabourSPKE @NAssemblyKE