Still in the conference mood… because the impact of these two days cannot simply be put into words. From powerful conversations and innovative ideas to lived experiences, thought-provoking insights and meaningful connections, the KISE Conference 2026 reminded us that inclusion is more than a conversation — it is a commitment to action. Two days. One shared vision. A stronger call to leave no one behind. The conversations may have come to an end, but the ideas, connections and commitment to advancing disability inclusion continue. #KISEConference2026 #ADITATI #DisabilityInclusion #AssistiveTechnology #Innovation #InclusionForAll

“ *𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐞 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐬 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐞𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐲 𝐰𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐬.”* It was an honor to have Principal Secretary for Basic Education, Hon. John Lekakeny Ololtuaa, serve as Chief Guest and officially open the KISE Conference 2026. As a former educator, PS Ololtuaa recognized the extraordinary devotion of teachers supporting special needs education across Kenya. He emphasized the Government’s unwavering commitment to inclusive education, highlighting the imminent launch of the KISE Assistive Technology Factory-a game-changer for manufacturing and distributing affordable, high-quality assistive devices locally. We look forward to the impactful discussions, collaborations, and innovations emerging from this year's conference. #KISEConference2026 #InclusiveEducation #AssistiveTechnology #SpecialNeedsEducation #EducationForAll

💬 𝗤𝗨𝗢𝗧𝗘𝗦 𝗢𝗙 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗗𝗔𝗬 | 𝗞𝗜𝗦𝗘 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗙𝗘𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗘 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 Voices of insight, inclusion and action. Here are some of the key reflections from speakers shaping conversations on inclusive education and disability rights at the #KISEConference2026. #InclusiveEducation #DisabilityInclusion #KISE2026

𝗜𝗦𝗔𝗔𝗖 𝗠𝗪𝗔𝗨𝗥𝗔: “𝗡𝗢𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗪𝗜𝗧𝗛𝗢𝗨𝗧 𝗨𝗦” Taking the conversation further, Hon. Isaac Mwaura, Head of the Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Disability Rights (ODIDR), challenged stakeholders to move beyond identifying the challenges facing persons with disabilities and begin translating policies and evidence into practical solutions. He cautioned that some of the biggest barriers to disability inclusion are not physical or technological, but attitudes and stigma. For Hon. Mwaura, assistive technology goes beyond devices, hardware and software. It is fundamentally about restoring human agency, protecting dignity and enabling persons with disabilities to participate fully in society. He anchored his address on the powerful principle: “Nothing without us.” The message was a call for meaningful participation of persons with disabilities in decisions concerning education, politics, innovation, technology and policy. Hon. Mwaura challenged KISE to strengthen its position as a national hub for locally produced assistive technology, including leveraging emerging technologies such as 3D printing to accelerate innovation and access. He further called for the adoption of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) so that learning materials and environments are accessible to diverse learners from the outset, rather than being modified after barriers have already emerged. Artificial intelligence, robotics and digital technologies, he noted, also present significant opportunities to increase independence and participation for persons with disabilities. He called for greater attention to digital accessibility, including ensuring that government platforms and services such as e-Citizen are accessible to persons with disabilities. Hon. Mwaura also challenged the technology sector to create greater employment opportunities for persons with disabilities and ensure accessibility is integrated into products and services from the design stage. His closing message was unequivocal: “The policies are set. The solutions are verified. The time to execute is now.” He called for a society where persons with disabilities can move freely through classrooms, communities and digital spaces, supported by technology designed with them, not merely for them.

𝗞𝗘𝗡𝗬𝗔 𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗣𝗦 𝗨𝗣 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗣𝗨𝗦𝗛 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗜𝗡𝗖𝗟𝗨𝗦𝗜𝗩𝗘 𝗘𝗗𝗨𝗖𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗔𝗦 𝗞𝗜𝗦𝗘 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗙𝗘𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗘 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗡𝗦 NAIROBI, 6 OCTOBER 2026 Kenya has renewed its commitment to dismantling barriers to inclusive education, with the Government, disability rights leaders and education stakeholders calling for urgent action to expand access to assistive technology, strengthen innovation and place persons with disabilities at the centre of solutions that affect their lives. The call dominated the first day of the KISE Conference 2026, held under the theme “Advancing Disability Inclusion Through Assistive Technology and Innovation (ADITATI)”, bringing together key players in education, disability inclusion, technology, research, policy and innovation. The conference was officially opened by Principal Secretary, State Department for Basic Education, Hon. John Lekakeny Ololtuaa, who served as the Chief Guest.

𝗗𝗥. 𝗡𝗢𝗥𝗠𝗔𝗡 𝗞𝗜𝗢𝗚𝗢𝗥𝗔: 𝗜𝗡𝗖𝗟𝗨𝗦𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗠𝗨𝗦𝗧 𝗘𝗫𝗧𝗘𝗡𝗗 𝗧𝗢 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗙𝗔𝗠𝗜𝗟𝗬 For KISE Director Dr. Norman Kiogora, meaningful inclusion must extend beyond institutions and classrooms to the families raising children with special needs. Addressing participants on the first day of the conference, Dr. Kiogora expressed appreciation to partners, guests and stakeholders whose collaboration continues to advance disability inclusion and special needs education. He singled out Nairobi County Woman Representative Hon. Esther Passaris for her passion and commitment to disability inclusion and special needs education. The Director also drew attention to the KISE Parental Empowerment Centre, emphasizing the critical role of parents and caregivers in supporting children with special needs. “Life changes for a family when they get a special needs child.” Dr. Kiogora stressed the importance of equipping families with the knowledge, skills and support they need to navigate this journey and enable their children to thrive. The message reinforced KISE’s broader approach to inclusion , one that recognises that supporting a learner with special needs requires more than classroom interventions. It requires empowered parents, informed caregivers, responsive institutions and supportive communities.