1. DISABLED YOUTH: ENABLING SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOOD IN KENYA DYESL
Presented by
Ezekiel Isanda Oweya
School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
University of Cape Town, South Africa

2. OUTLINE OF THE PRESENTATION
The presentation will:
provide an overview of the study
look at the aims and objectives
outline data collection methods
discuss emerging challenges in preliminary findings
offer a few practical suggestions on how to overcome the challenges
invite discussion on how we in the disability movement can collectively support livelihood in disability
concluding remarks

3. Overview of the Study
The paper explores the involvement of youth with disabilities in poverty reduction strategies in Kenya.
A replica of this study was carried out in South
Africa at:
University of Cape Town
University of Pretoria
University of Witwatersrand
University of Kwazulu-Natal

4. ‘livelihood’ Rakodi’s (1999: 316) definition of livelihood:
“comprising the capabilities, assets (including both material and social resources) and activities required for a means of living”
Preferable to the narrow western concept of income generation (Grech, 2009)

5. Aims
Aims
Examines the existence of social, human and financial capital among disabled youth in Kenya
Why the study
To facilitate participation of young people in personal growth and development
To compare the findings with South Africa as a developed country

6. Data Collection Methods
Qualitative research methods
Using a case study design the study was conducted in three main cities of Kenya: Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu
Using KII and a snowballing technique.
A sample of 30 youths with disabilities (18-35 years), covering all forms of disabilities
Each focus group comprised of 7-10 participants in each city

7. Emerging and Striking Challenges
As the study continues to unfold...
Greatest risk factors affecting disabled
youth population after school are;
lack of sound sustainable livelihoods programmes i.e.
lack of competitive livelihood opportunities due to non-existent human social and financial capital
Inaccessibility and societal attitudes

8. Practical Suggestions
Lets pump resources with disabled youth in mind
and at heart
How
Build gifts and talents while young people are still in school
Insist on the participation of young people in raising sustainable livelihoods
Support housing, decent jobs, access to health and leisure

9. Concluding Remarks
We need to come up with practical programmes on knowledge, work and health, grounded on socio-economic cultural formations within the social worlds context.

10. Open Discussion and Questions
Discussion on how we in the disability movement can collectively support livelihood in disability
Open Discussion and Questions

11. Thank you all for Listening
Ezekiel Isanda Oweya Disability Studies Postgraduate Student- School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town South Africa