By Racheal Ngumi

Last month, the Taskforce Committee led by Dr. Josephine Arasa handed over the USIU-Africa Disability Policy 2022 that will work towards ensuring an inclusive environment and quality provisions for Persons with Disabilities, and other Special Needs (PWD’s &SN).

The taskforce, formed in May this year sought to revamp the USIU-Africa Disability Policy in fulfillment of one of the University’s strategic goals, delivering quality service to internal and external stakeholders to achieve 80% satisfaction. The Taskforce was composed of 11 members namely:

• Dr. Josephine Arasa - Faculty (Chairperson)
• Dr. Solomon Njengah – Principal Officer, Disability Inclusion
• Mr. Ronald Kimani - Dean of Students
• Ms. Racheal Ngumi – Principal Officer, Gender Equity and Protection
• Mr. David Nerubucha - Faculty representative
• Anold Nyato – Student Council Interim Persons with Disability representative
• Mrs. Lucy Kung’u - Principal Counsellor
• Ms. Leah Gichuki - Operations Department representative
• Roselyne Mkanjala – Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program representative
• Precious Hounglah - Sports representative.
• Nicodemus Kilunda - Student representative

The team was tasked with reviewing the 2018 Policy on Access for Persons with Disabilities and other Special Needs. They were also tasked to propose recommendations for amendment to ensure inclusion and compliance. The updated Policy was handed over to the Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic and Student Affairs, Professor Munyae Mulinge for further approval by the university. Major highlights of the review process were ensuring that the university progressively makes adjustments & accommodations to include Persons with Disability and ensure students access quality education and services.