Project Goals

The overall goal of the project is to advance disability rights through higher education. Our objectives are:

1. To promote knowledge production on and deepen understanding of disability rights through action oriented and locally relevant research, and through strengthening a network of law faculties on the continent engaged in disability rights curriculum development and clinical legal education;
2. To promote the education of future disability rights advocates in a manner that equips them with practical skills and inspires them to work on disability rights issues;
3. To promote policy changes and advocate for the ratification and implementation of legal instruments protecting the rights of persons with disabilities through supporting disability rights advocacy efforts and promoting the inclusion of persons with disabilities within the partner universities;
4. To establish a close link between the partner universities, their communities and the disability movement through community outreach activities, joint workshops and other partnerships.

Contact Persons: Mr. Lawrence Mute or Ms. Agnes Meroka

1.1 ABOUT KSLRP

The Kenyan Sign Language Research project (KSLRP) started in 1991 at the University of Nairobi. The project has over the years done research on Kenyan Sign Language (KSL), produced materials that has been used to fight for KSL as a language to the extent that the Kenyan constitution now recognizes KSL as one of the indigenous languages and as a language of parliament.

Through its other mandate of training, KSLRP has over the years trained over 5000 hearing people in KSL. These are hearing people from all walks of life. Some have gone on to become sign language interpreters. KSLRP has trained professionals such as nurses, police, social workers, staff from KMTC, university of Nairobi staff and many others in furthering our goal of empowering the deaf and hearing through KSL.

KSLRP has also engaged stake holders in the education sector on the plight of the deaf school going children. This is done through seminars and workshop of stake holders. KSLRP also collaborates with the Kenya Society of deaf children to advocate for the rights of deaf children in as far as their education is concerned.

1.2 KSLRP VISION AND MISSION

VISION:

To be a leading national and international project in empowering the deaf and hearing Kenyans through Kenyan sign language research, materials production and training.

MISSION:

To cater for the unique communication needs of deaf Kenyans and professional partners by providing a comprehensive array of programs that put Kenyan sign language in its place in empowering both the deaf and hearing. KSLRP seeks to provide a Kenya sign language learning environment that ensures access to language and communication solutions to deaf Kenyans and their hearing counterparts by providing an interactive learning environment

As a pioneer in KSL research, materials production and training, KSLRP collaborates with all stakeholders that deal with the deaf directly or indirectly.

1.3 CORE VALUES:

• Respecting deaf people
• Respecting deaf culture
• Viewing deaf people as a cultural and linguistic minority
• Ensuring quality and commitment in the fulfillment of our mission
• Embracing ethnic, linguistic, and cultural diversity

1.4 AIMS AND OBJECTIVESThe broad objective of KSLRP is to collect, analyze and publicize information about KSL. KSLRP provides factual information that can be used for the betterment of the lives of deaf people in Kenya. In performing this role, KSLRP is engaged in many different activities such as research, sensitization, training, materials production among many others.

Research in KSL has enabled the language to gain recognition in Kenya and elsewhere. Today KSL is recognized by the Kenyan constitution as an indigenous Language and a language of parliament. KSLRP trains interested hearing people in KSL basic and interpretation skills.

1.5  KSLRP ACTVITIES

i)  TRAINING

KSLRP also has over the years trained over 5000 hearing people in KSL. These are hearing people from all walks of life. Some have gone on to become sign language interpreters. KSLRP has trained professionals such as nurses, police, social workers, staff from KMTC sponsored by the National Council for Persons with Disabilities and many others in furthering our goal of empowering the deaf and hearing through KSL. KSLRP through the UON extensive networks that covers the whole of Kenya through UON extra mural classes has the capacity to reach any part of the country if needs be. The UON extramural centers include: Nairobi, Mombasa, Malindi, Kisumu, Nakuru, Kakamega, Nyeri, Kisii, Meru Garissa, Kapenguria, Thika, Lokichogio and others.

ii) RESEARCH

KSLRP has been able to do extensive research in KSL. Its members of staff have been able to disseminate some of the findings by writing papers and presentations in international foras. KSLRP staff has also been engaged in production of educational support materials used in Schools for the deaf in Kenya. Cf. staff C.Vs.

iii)SENSITIZATION

Raising awareness on issues of disability in general and the issues of deafness and deaf people in Kenya in particular through various sensitization workshops and seminars. KSLRP has over the years been in the fore front in HIV and AIDS advocacy. As part of its awareness creation campaign among the deaf. Among the projects we have undertaken are ones that targeted deaf school going youth. Materials on awareness creation among the deaf on Issues of HIV and AIDS have also been produced.

iv) MATERIALS PRODUCTION

KSLRP staff has also been engaged in production of educational support materials used in Schools for the deaf in Kenya as well as other materials that are used by the general populace interested in understanding the deaf and learning KSL.  Some of the materials produced include:

• Your body your health: A KSLRP Reproductive Health Education Fact Book. (In Manual and DVD form.
• Kenyan Sign Language interactive DVD in collaboration with American Peace Corps.
• Body parts – brochure and DVD
• Under KSLRP Educational support Materials:

-KSL Vocabulary pamphlet – Animals

– Family

– Time

• Introduction to KSL Teacher’s Manual
• Teacher’s Manual for KSL stage 1.
• The Kenyan Sign Language Dictionary
• Various posters on HIV and AIDS

KSLRP staff have also presented papers in international conferences and published materials and articles about KSL in international journals.

KSLRP Staff consist of:

TECHNICAL/MANAGERIAL STAFF