The broader spectrum of assistive devices and their role in economic empowerment extends far beyond mere tools for daily living; they serve as critical enablers of independence, productivity, and inclusion for persons with disabilities. Among these devices, mobility aids such as wheelchairs, prosthetics, and walkers play a foundational role by breaking down physical barriers that often limit access to education, employment, and social participation. By enhancing mobility, these assistive technologies open pathways to economic opportunities, allowing individuals to engage more fully in the workforce and entrepreneurship. Exploring how mobility devices contribute to economic empowerment highlights the essential connection between inclusive access and sustainable development for persons with disabilities.
While wheelchairs and walking frames are often the first to come to mind, a wide variety of assistive devices play critical roles in enabling independence, inclusion, and economic participation. These include:
White canes and mobility aids for the visually impaired: allow safe navigation in public spaces; promote independence in commuting, accessing education or work; signal to others that the user has a disability and may need additional consideration.
Hearing aids and hearing support devices enable people with hearing impairments to communicate, access education and employment, participate in meetings, and engage socially. Modern digital hearing aids help adapt to different environments; noisy workplaces, transport hubs, public gatherings.
Screen readers, braille displays, and communication aids; crucial for people with visual or communication impairments to access information, use digital tools, work, study or run businesses. Recent advances (for example, in local context) are helping close information access gaps. (Citizen Digital)
Prosthetics and orthotics for persons with limb impairments, these devices can restore functional independence, enabling mobility, work, sports and social participation.
Customized prosthetics and orthotics greatly improve comfort and effectiveness.
Adaptive and environmental control tools, such as voice-activated devices, modified tools for daily living (e.g., assistive kitchen or home tools), and accessible ICT support independent living, reduce reliance on caregivers, and create opportunities for entrepreneurship or remote work.
These devices, when appropriately selected and tailored, contribute significantly to economic empowerment. With proper assistive tools, people with disabilities can access education, vocational training, employment, entrepreneurship and income-generating opportunities.
In Kenya, this potential is now being recognized in national policy: under the 2025 Act employers (public and private) are required to provide reasonable accommodations, including assistive technology, to enable persons with disabilities to work. (CMS Law).
Moreover, as part of the recently launched Kenya Joint Disability Inclusion Strategy (2025–2027), the government has committed to expanding assistive technology provision, economic empowerment, and inclusive infrastructure reinforcing that assistive devices are not charity, but essential enablers of participation and productivity. (UNDP)
Still, the 2019 national survey of assistive technology use shows wide underutilization: only a minority of persons with disabilities reported using assistive products. (PMC) This gap suggests a failure not only in provision but in tailoring devices appropriately, underscoring the need for autonomy, choice, and person-centered assessment in assistive device distribution.
A Story That Puts It Into Perspective: take a look at the story of Amina, a young woman with a spinal cord injury who uses a wheelchair.
Initially, she received a standard-issue wheelchair, heavy, difficult to maneuver in her narrow residence, and tiring for longer distances. But after a personalized assessment of her daily routines, needs and preferences, she was provided with a lighter, custom-fitted wheelchair with adjustable seating and controls. The impact was transformative: Amina could navigate her
community independently, attend college classes, and even participate in wheelchair basketball— a dream she had long deferred.
Beyond personal mobility, the new wheelchair opened up opportunities for part-time jobs, social engagement, and campus leadership roles. For Amina, the chair was more than a mobility tool: it became a gateway to independence, dignity, confidence, and economic participation.
Similarly, James, a visually impaired young man, received a white cane and a smartphone-based navigation aid, which enabled him to commute independently, access public transport, and work as a program coordinator.
Lillian, who uses a hearing aid, found renewed confidence when she began part-time customer service work, improving her income and professional prospects.
These stories underscore that assistive devices are more than functional tools, they are enablers of empowerment, inclusion, dignity, and opportunity.
Ignoring personal choice in the provision of assistive devices can lead to ineffective solutions that do not meet the actual needs of users, potentially hindering their independence and quality of life.
When agencies or organizations disregard individual autonomy in assistive device selection and distribution, a range of negative outcomes may follow:
Device abandonment: Devices that are uncomfortable, ill fitted, or impractical may end unused. In Kenya, despite high need, only a minority of persons with disabilities reportedly use assistive devices. (PMC).
Reduced independence and dignity: Without suitable devices, individuals may be forced to rely on caregivers or family — undermining their autonomy and sense of self worth.
Under-utilization of human potential: People may be unable to access education, jobs,
or income-generating activities, missing out on their potential contributions. Social and economic exclusion perpetuates cycles of poverty and marginalization.
Inefficient resource use: Distributing generic, “one-size-fits-all” devices may waste scarce resources, while failing to meet real need or demand.
Stigma, social isolation, and low self-esteem: Ill-fitting or inappropriate devices can draw unwanted attention or exacerbate feelings of difference. Conversely, well-chosen devices can support social participation, self-confidence, and inclusion.
These risks highlight why it is not enough to simply provide assistive devices — their provision must respect autonomy, individuality, dignity, and real life contexts.
Effective policies are essential to ensure that assistive devices are accessible, affordable, and tailored to the diverse needs of persons with disabilities. Without thoughtful regulation and inclusive frameworks, many individuals continue to face barriers in obtaining the mobility aids they require for full participation in society.
To ensure assistive-device provision fulfills its promise — of inclusion, dignity, independence, and empowerment — agencies, organizations and policymakers must adopt person-centered, rights-based approaches.
Key steps include:
1. User involvement in decision-making: Before prescribing or distributing any assistive device, engage the individual in respectful consultation: assess their body, environment, lifestyle, daily routines, aspirations, and preferences.
2. Offer a variety of device options: Provide a broad range of assistive devices — mobility aids, white canes, hearing aids, screen readers — rather than defaulting to a single device type.
3. Allow for customization and modifications: Enable adjustments — in size, controls, seating, sensory settings — to ensure devices properly fit the user’s needs and context.
4. Ensure affordability, sustainability, and maintenance: Assistive devices should be affordable (subsidized if needed), and support services for maintenance, repairs, and upgrades should be available. Government funding, inclusive procurement and support via institutions like National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) can help achieve this. The 2025 Act obliges authorities to allocate adequate resources for such support.
5. Provide training and support: Users should be trained on how to use and maintain devices, and institutions should offer guidance, follow-up, and support — especially for technology-based assistive tools.
6. Embed choice and inclusion in policy and infrastructure planning: All policies, building and transport regulations, and institutional practices should reflect respect for choice — enabling accessible physical environments, transport, communication systems, and assistive technology availability. The 2025 Act mandates accessibility standards in public infrastructure, vehicles, communication systems, and public services.
7. Promote economic empowerment through assistive technology: Recognize that assistive devices are not just means of basic mobility or accessibility — they are tools for economic participation, work, education, entrepreneurship, and independence. Policies and programs should link assistive technology provision to economic inclusion, skills training, and job creation initiatives.
The recent Kenya Joint Disability Inclusion Strategy(2025–2027) emphasizes this linkage. (UNDP)
8. Collect and use data, monitor impact and adapt: Governments and institutions should invest in data collection, monitoring, and evaluation of assistive device needs, uptake, satisfaction, and impact. This ensures that provision remains responsive, equitable, and effective.
By taking these steps, Kenya and other countries can transform assistive device provision from a charitable gesture into a right-based, empowering system — one that respects dignity, choice, and human potential.
Mobility, sensory access, and assistive technology are not luxuries—they are fundamental rights. In Kenya, where nearly 900,000 people live with disability, devices like wheelchairs, hearing aids, and screen readers are vital for independence, dignity, and full participation in society. The Persons with Disabilities Act 2025 affirms the right to personal mobility and choice in assistive devices. When respected, these rights open doors to education, work, and social life. When ignored, the result is exclusion, wasted resources, and lost potential. Stories of individuals like Amina, James, and Lillian remind us: assistive devices are not charity—they are keys to empowerment, opportunity, and belonging. Ensuring access and choice is not optional; it is a responsibility for building inclusive communities where everyone can live, contribute, and thrive.
