Beyond ramps and checklists: Redefining disability inclusion in Kenya’s workforce
In Kenya, many persons with disabilities (PWDs) face significant barriers in accessing the workforce, their exclusion is not due to their impairments, but because systems, environments, and attitudes have been built without considering their needs.
Accessibility goes beyond physical features like ramps or wide doorways; it’s about enabling individuals to participate fully at work, public life, and daily decisions.
Riziki Source is at the forefront of challenging this issue: living by example. The organization’s mission is to bridge the employment gap for persons with disabilities by addressing exclusion rather than disability itself.
The organization operates with the belief that disability is not inability, and that it’s exclusion that truly limits opportunities.
A recent partnership with Light for the World Kenya aimed to train employers on inclusive hiring practices, a collaboration that goes beyond meeting compliance requirements, urging employers to rethink their definition of “qualified” and consider how unconscious bias and outdated systems may inadvertently exclude skilled individuals.
The training event brought together HR managers and employers from across Kenya, providing them with practical skills to make workplaces more inclusive and accessible. This initiative not only enhanced participants’ understanding of disability inclusion but also equipped them with tools to eliminate barriers to equal opportunities.
For Riziki Source, inclusion is a mindset that extends beyond policies. It involves ensuring that job applications are accessible, digital tools are usable by those with mobility or hearing impairments, and workplace cultures truly embrace all forms of diversity, including disability.
This approach which is evident in their wide range of accessible tools designed for both persons with disabilities and employers during the hiring process:
For job seekers, Riziki Source offers an intuitive and accessible platform that enables persons with disabilities to apply for job opportunities effectively.
The platform features tools such as screen reader compatibility and easy navigation, which cater to those with limited mobility allowing users to present their qualifications clearly to potential employers.
Customizable profiles and resume-building tools ensure that information is formatted for assistive technologies, while smart job-matching algorithms help connect candidates with relevant opportunities.
Additionally, Riziki source trains youths with disabilities and provides them with resources that equip them for job markets and building networks.
Employers also benefit from Riziki Source’s comprehensive resources aimed at improving their hiring practices. These include; a best practice for disability inclusion manual, an accessibility audit tool to evaluate recruitment processes, and online training modules on disability inclusion.
Employers can also track their progress towards diversity and inclusion goals, plan for accommodations such as assistive technologies or flexible work arrangement programs that allow one to work from the comfort of their home, and ensure job postings are fully accessible, including clear descriptions of available accommodations.
By using these resources, Persons with disabilities can highlight their skills and connect with employers based on merit rather than assumptions. Employers, in turn, gain access to practical tools that help them create sustainable, equitable, and inclusive hiring processes.
In addition to its work with employers, Riziki Source is also advocating for the Persons with Disabilities Bill 2023, which has already been passed by parliament and awaits assension. The bill proposes that employers allocate at least 5% of job opportunities to Persons with disabilities, a move that could greatly improve workplace equality in Kenya. Riziki Source is actively championing this legislation, pushing for its enforcement.
Through its work in training, technology, and policy advocacy, Riziki Source is reshaping the conversation around accessibility. Many tools initially developed for Persons with disabilities such as voice-to-text software or curb cuts now benefit everyone, demonstrating the broader societal benefits of inclusive design.
As global attention on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) frameworks grows, social issues, particularly disability inclusion, are increasingly recognized as both a moral obligation and a strategic advantage. By addressing these challenges, Riziki Source is ensuring that the workforce of tomorrow is inclusive and accessible for all.
Ultimately, accessibility isn’t a fix, it’s a mindset. And Riziki Source is helping Kenya, and the world, change theirs.
