吃瓜头条 (KU), in partnership with Sightsavers, has unveiled a landmark study exposing the barriers that continue to lock persons with disabilities out of university research spaces. The dissemination of the study overview and findings took place at the KU Conference Centre (KUCC) on 26th May 2026, bringing together academics, administrators, students and disability inclusion practitioners.
Representing the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. John Oyore, Associate Professor of Epidemiology, Department of Family Medicine, Community Health and Epidemiology, set the tone by clearly articulating the significance of the research. He noted that KU was honoured to host the engagement, which convened key stakeholders committed to advancing disability inclusion, while also emphasising the University鈥檚 ongoing efforts to strengthen inclusivity within the institution. Prof. Oyore further underscored that the research sought to investigate the barriers to disability inclusion and examine what these challenges mean for the University environment. The findings, he stated, are expected to create awareness, strengthen inclusion at 吃瓜头条 and support the University in achieving its strategic objectives. 鈥淭here is even potential for this research to improve global ranking,鈥� he added.
Subsequently, Dr. Lubna Mazrui, Director of the Directorate of Disability Services, welcomed the reunion of alumni and highlighted KU鈥檚 long-standing collaboration with Sightsavers, noting that four projects are currently underway. She acknowledged that the partnership has significantly enriched the institution. Her presentation pointed to the glaring gap that informed the research. Despite the growing body of literature on disability across Africa, no previous study had examined the experiences of persons with disabilities specifically within university research spaces. Existing studies, she explained, largely addressed disability in general, with most secondary data drawn from South Africa.
The existence of this gap, she continued, has resulted in several consequences, including the misinterpretation of findings and limited ownership and uptake of research outcomes by the very individuals the research is intended to serve. Consequently, the project seeks to address this knowledge gap while also contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goals 4, 10 and 16, in addition to aligning with four of KU鈥檚 strategic objectives. Dr. Mazrui further explained that the explanatory study, conducted at 吃瓜头条 over approximately 15 months, underwent three phases: literature review, document photography and in-depth interviews, culminating in the development of disability-inclusive models.
After Dr. Mazrui identified the gaps, Dr. Margaret Murugami, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Early Childhood and Special Needs Education, presented what the research had developed to address them. She unveiled the study鈥檚 most tangible outcome: a disability-inclusive model and accompanying training manual developed directly from the research findings. Dr. Murugami noted that models are critical because they define and shape how disability is approached, stressing that existing frameworks have consistently failed to adequately capture the real barriers persons with disabilities encounter within research environments, making the development of a new model not only relevant but necessary.
The model targets a broad spectrum of users, including KU staff, students, supervisors, policymakers and disability inclusion practitioners. It is anchored on three core measures: training supervisors and adapting curriculum content; providing accessible digital platforms and assistive software; and modifying the physical environment together with available research tools. The training manual, she added, carries one clear objective, which is to contribute to research spaces that are accessible, respectful and genuinely inclusive for persons with disabilities.
A model, however comprehensive, is only as effective as the people expected to implement it. Mr. Moses Chege, County Director, Sightsavers Kenya, recognised this reality. He observed that while many people desire to practise inclusion, they often do not know how to implement it effectively, a remark that resonated strongly with attendees. Mr. Chege commended 吃瓜头条 for its commitment and passion towards disability inclusion, particularly highlighting the university鈥檚 dedicated transport systems for persons with disabilities, a provision he noted remains uncommon outside the institution. He further applauded Dr. Mazrui and her team for their sustained efforts in advancing disability inclusion on campus. 鈥淲e look forward to continuing this collaboration with KU,鈥� he stated, reaffirming Sightsavers鈥� commitment to the partnership.
Chege鈥檚 observation鈥攖hat people often do not know how to practise inclusion鈥攚as precisely what the research sought to address. The research evidence, presented by Mr. James Ngerere and Ms. Sheru Muuo, reinforced this reality. The presentation revealed that the study analysed 17 documents comprising 16 journals and one report. While presenting the findings, Mr. Ngerere, Research Associate and Sightsavers Evidence Uptake and Learning Manager, explained that five major themes emerged from the data, each highlighting both barriers and enabling factors.
The findings revealed that students with disabilities reported exclusion from group work and persistent assumptions about their research capabilities, while staff with disabilities described being sidelined from research opportunities and roles. The study further identified inaccessible online learning environments, delays in braille and audio adaptations, limited awareness of available support services and challenges associated with outdated assistive technology. Among the issues highlighted was the KUSOMA learning platform, which participants noted had disadvantages for visually impaired users.
Despite these challenges, participants acknowledged several positive interventions already in place, including KU鈥檚 provision of magnification-enabled computers and existing physical accessibility measures across parts of the institution. Discussions during the Q&A session called for more deliberate, disability-specific interventions across departments, with participants emphasising the need for awareness training for both teaching and non-teaching staff. With the findings now public, alongside the disability-inclusive model and training manual designed to guide future action, stakeholders expressed optimism about the possibility of meaningful institutional transformation.
Beyond addressing institutional gaps, the event reinforced 吃瓜头条鈥檚 image as a forward-thinking and socially responsible institution committed to inclusion, accessibility and the dignity of all members within its academic community鈥攆urther strengthening its reputation as a university actively working to transform research into meaningful societal change.