Deaf Ability Initiative (DAI)

Qui sommes-nous

Deaf Ability Initiative (DAI) is a Kenyan indigenous not for profit organization, working with communities, governments, civil society organizations and development partners for an inclusive and accessible society for deaf children and youths. DAI believes that disability is caused by the way society is organized, rather than by a person´s impairment. We exist to remove the barriers that society has placed before deaf children and their families.
We do this through our four thematic programs; Mentorship and Role model, Deaf Child Rights, Sustainable Livelihoods for deaf youths and Kenyan Sign language. The organization works in seven counties; Nairobi, Nakuru, Kilifi, Kitui, Garrissa, Kakamega and Kisumu.

Vision
A world where people believe deaf children and young People can and are valued equally and included.

Mission
The mission of DAI is to enable deaf Children and youths to actualize their full and true potentials in order to live decently in all spheres of life.

What we do
• Mentorship and Deaf Role Model: Our Mentorship and Deaf Role Model Program is designed to reach out deaf children and their parents with messages of hope to greet the World with confidence.
• Sustainable Livelihood: At Deaf Ability Initiative, we work to ensure that families of deaf children and youth enjoy a full and decent life, in conditions which ensure dignity, promote self-reliance and facilitate their active participation in the community life. We do this through income generating activities such as sustainable agriculture projects, marketable vocational and business skills training. We also create economic opportunities for parents of deaf children to improve the quality of life of deaf children.
• Kenya Sign Language Education and training: Kenyan Sign language (KSL) is a visual language comprising specific gestures (signs), idiomatic expressions, hand-shapes and facial expressions. Kenya is among few countries in Africa that has provided legal recognition of Sign language (SL). Kenyan Sign language is also recognized in the national training curriculum and taught and examinable in both primary and secondary school for the deaf children. We have designed specific Kenyan Sign language training programs for both national and county government officials and as well as parents of deaf children to improve their communication and interactions with deaf children and youth.
• Rights of the Deaf Child: At DAI, we implement deaf child protection, child rights and child participation initiatives to ensure that deaf children and their families are empowered to demand and speak out their fundamental rights and freedoms with confidence.
• Free sign language classes: The lessons which are organised by the Deaf Ability Initiative (DAI) and the National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) are being offered free of charge to willing participants in different centres around Nakuru.
• Deaf Social Media Project: This project provides a variety of foundation and general information regarding health, politics, news, sports, employment opportunities and education. The aim of this project is to close significant information gap between Deaf people and hearing people. The project will provide opportunities to deaf people in order to make choices and decision that affect their lives.

For other net participants we can offer an expert guidance through trained staff, give an expert opinion, procure expert information and establish new contacts in the field of our work.