Background
The National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) is a non-commercial State Agency established in 2004 by an Act of Parliament (Persons with Disabilities Act, 2003, now repealed). The Council currently operates under the Persons with Disabilities Act No. 4 of 2025, which was assented into law on May 8, 2025, and commenced on May 27, 2025. This new legislation is progressive, guaranteeing the rights of persons with disabilities to education, employment, healthcare, political participation, and access to buildings and public spaces.
The NCPWD falls under the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection. It is governed by a Board of Directors comprising representatives from key Government Ministries and Organizations of/for Persons with Disabilities. The day-to-day operations are managed by a Secretariat, headed by an Executive Director. The Council collaborates with Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies, Institutions, Associations, and Organizations of and for Persons with Disabilities to promote and protect the rights of Persons with Disabilities within the broader development agenda.
Rosena @4G Speaking during an HR Forum for Employers on disability inclusion.
Vision
A barrier free society for Persons with Disabilities.
Mission
To promote and protect equalization of opportunities and realization of human rights for PWDs to live descent livelihoods.
Core Values
- Non-discrimination – Serving all irrespective of the social factors
- Commitment– staying true and devoted to our course
- Protection:Safeguarding the rights of persons with disabilities.
- Willingness– prepared at all times to serve
- Disciplined – Obeys set out rules and expected standards.
- Sustainability – Enhanced partnerships for continuity in service delivery.
Principle Activities
- To issue adjustment orders under Section 31 of The Persons with Disabilities Act, 2025.
- To register Persons with Disabilities, organizations, and institutions under Section 35 of the Act, 2025.
- To monitor the employment status of persons with disabilities under Section 21 (3) of the Act, 2025.
- To develop and promulgate minimum standards and guidelines for the accessibility of facilities and services open or provided to the public under Section 30 (6) of the Act, 2025.
- To conduct an inquiry or a sectoral investigation under Section 51 of the Act, 2025.
- To appoint an inspector empowered to investigate and recommend prosecution or other remedies against infringements of the Persons with Disabilities Act, 2025
- To establish and manage the National Development Fund for Persons with Disabilities under Section 89 (2).
- To advise on, formulate, and develop policies, legal frameworks, administrative actions,guidelines, standards, and strategies to ensure accessibility, reasonable accommodation, and non-discrimination for persons with disabilities in all spheres of life, including information goods, services, and the built environment.
- To ensure persons with disabilities have access to facilities and services necessary for the effective enjoyment of their rights, including education, employment, sporting, recreational, and cultural activities, and full access to community and social services.
- To advise on the systematic collection, analysis, and use of national statistics and disaggregated data relating to persons with disabilities.
- To advise the Cabinet Secretary on national, regional, and international agreements and treaties affecting persons with disabilities and their benefits to the country.
- To provide assistive devices, appliances, and other equipment to registered persons with disabilities.
- To offer assistance to students with disabilities in the form of scholarships, loan programs,,fee subsidies, and related technologies in both public and private institutions.
- To oversee and advise on the inclusion and mainstreaming of disability in national and county development, offering technical support to both public and private sectors.
- To operationalize programs for self-employment or regular employment to generate income for persons with disabilities.
- To advise disaster and humanitarian crisis management bodies on disability issues to ensure accessible crisis management.
- To conduct intensive public awareness and education on the rights of persons with disabilities.
- To carry out and publicize research on matters relating to the human rights of persons with disabilities.
- To establish and maintain linkages with local and international organizations for and of persons with disabilities.
- To promote self-help organizations and projects benefiting persons with disabilities.
Summary of the Persons with Disabilities Act, 2025 (Kenya)
- Short Title & Interpretation: The Act is cited as the Persons with Disabilities Act, 2025. It defines key terms such as “disability,” “reasonable accommodation,” “assistive devices,” and “universal design.”
- Guiding Values and Principles: The Act is guided by respect for dignity, equality, non-discrimination, full participation, accessibility, gender equality, and the evolving capacities of children with disabilities.
- Obligations of National Government: Develops disability policies, conducts research,ensures rehabilitation, promotes inclusion in education and public service, sets accessibility standards, and allocates resources for disability programs.
- Obligations of County Governments: Implements national policies at the county level, ensures access to services, and collaborates with the national government on disability matters.
- Equality and Non-Discrimination: Guarantees equal rights and legal capacity.
- Personal Rights: Includes the right to marry, privacy, dignity, and protection from abuse.
- Special Groups: Addresses the rights of women, children, youth, and older persons with disabilities.
- Access Rights: Covers access to identification documents, education, employment, health, financial services, justice, information, sports, recreation, and public facilities.
- Enforcement: Provides for the enforcement of these rights and the registration of persons, organizations, and institutions for persons with disabilities.
- Establishment: Restructures the National Council for Persons with Disabilities.
- Functions and Powers: The Council oversees disability affairs, policy implementation, and advocacy.
- Composition and Appointment: Specifies the structure, qualifications, and appointment process for Council members, including the Executive Director.
- Accountability: Outlines financial management, reporting, and audit requirements.
- Exemptions: Provides tax and postal exemptions for persons with disabilities, their parents,guardians, and employers.
- Incentives: Encourages employment and business opportunities for persons with disabilities, including access to credit.
- Prohibited Conduct: Criminalizes discrimination, abuse, exploitation, concealment, harmful practices, denial of food, degrading treatment, and negligence.
- Other Offences: Addresses issues like offensive publications, false registration, and failure to provide information.
- Accessibility: Mandates accessible transport, housing, and public facilities.
- Non-Discrimination: Prohibits discrimination in goods, services, and premises.
- Support Measure: Includes provisions for vocational training, rehabilitation, awareness, public participation, and consultation between government levels.
- Enforcement: Provides for the appointment of prosecutors, penalties, regulations, and transitional arrangements.
SCHEDULES
- First Schedule: Details on the conduct of Council business.
- Second Schedule: Accessibility standards for buildings, venues, and public facilities.
OUR PRIORITY AREAS
NDFPWD
National Development Fund for Persons with Disabilities (NDFPWD) Applications to the National Development Fund for Persons with Disabilities are open through out the year.
CASH TRANSFER FOR PWDS
In the context of this programme, persons with severe disabilities refers to those who need permanent care including feeding, toiletry, protection from danger by other persons, Full time support has to be offered by a caregiver to ensure their needs are attended to.
ALBINISM (SUPPORT PROGRAM)
The Council has been implementing the National Persons with Albinism Sunscreen Support Programme that is providing sunscreen lotions to over 3,026 persons with albinism.
DISABILITY MAINSTREAMING
Disability Mainstreaming is an established department at NCPWD. Its sole mandate is to facilitate Disability Mainstreaming Programmes in Public and Private Sector.
JOB PLACEMENT
The Job Placement Department deals with analyzing market information trends in order to disseminate market intelligence to the PWDs.
LEGAL ADVISORY SERVICES
The Legal Service Department is an in-house service providing unit of the Council.