The need is critical. In Kenya, there is a huge gap in services and support for an estimated 100,000 people living with the impact of spinal cord injury, cerebral palsy, childhood polio and other mobility disabilities. Without appropriate volunteers, care and services, wheelchair users are marginalised, and many live with painful and potentially fatal pressure injuries and contractures.
The project focused on training volunteers, raising care standards through improved technical and clinical infrastructure, procurement of products, service provision and linkages for community referral through peer support. Wheelchair users also received training and follow-up support and be linked to other services and support.
We are delighted to share the impact this partnership has had on so many lives:
Curriculum Integration
An important milestone was successfully integrating wheelchair service training into physiotherapy and occupational therapy courses at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT). This positioned JKUAT as a leader in embedding the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) wheelchair training package into academic programs. To date, 134 new students have enrolled in the new course, and 96 fourth-year students gained hands-on experience with wheelchair services.
Incorporating wheelchair services training into the curriculum has a significant lasting impact and is a change that will continue beyond this project. A deeper understanding of the importance of disability inclusion will come about with each new cohort of students graduating with these essential skills. Each student who continues to work in this field can assess, prescribe, fit and train hundreds of wheelchair users each year.
“Since the inception of the wheelchair training programme, I’ve gained tremendous experience in wheelchair prescription and service delivery” — Francis, BSc Physiotherapy student
Improved Independence and Social Participation
Participants across project areas, reported significant autonomy and community involvement improvements. Access to appropriate wheelchairs and support services enabled users to enjoy rightful independence in their daily lives.
Strengthened Peer Mentorship and Referral Systems
Trained peer mentors played a pivotal role in ensuring sustainable user support. Their lived experience fostered trust, empowerment, and deeper engagement with wheelchair services.
Building Local Repair and Maintenance Capacity
The project also trained 12 community-based artisans to provide timely wheelchair repairs, addressing service gaps and supporting sustainability. However, given the vastness of the coverage areas, further investment is needed to scale up a skilled workforce in assistive technology repair and maintenance.
Key achievements and project impact:
- Service Provision Expansion: Wheelchair services were formally established at JKUAT following an infrastructure upgrade, with a service-learning centre commissioned by the University Vice Chancellor and Ministry of Health Head of Rehabilitation Services.
- Assistive Technology Distribution: 311 assistive technology products were delivered and stored, with an additional 368 contributed by project partners.
- Training and Workforce Development: 134 new students in physiotherapy and occupational therapy enrolled in the wheelchair training course at JKUAT, and 96 fourth-year students gained hands-on training at the wheelchair service centre.
- Community-Based Services: Through JKUAT service-learning and outreach activities, 162 wheelchair users were reached and supported. In June, in collaboration with Bethany Kids and JKUAT students, 72 wheelchairs were provided.
- Peer Mentoring: Over 500 wheelchair users benefited from Motivation Peer Trainer (MPT) follow-ups, which ensured continued support through both remote and physical follow-ups.
- Stakeholder Engagement: 33 leaders in Nairobi and 78 stakeholders across multiple counties were sensitised on WHO wheelchair service provision, strengthening community-based referral systems.
- National Recognition: Motivation showcased its work at the Africa Assistive Technology Expo, further cementing its role in skilled workforce development and wheelchair service provision.
We are very proud to have partnered with Motivation over the last two years and achieved such incredible outcomes. Motivation is deeply connected to the local population, able to champion the most important aspects of training and support required by wheelchair users and those around them, making them the ideal organisation to have delivered this programme. We have no doubt that this partnership will act as a catalyst for future investment in the country and drive change.
The support from the CareTech Foundation has enabled us to start tackling the issue of sustainable rehabilitation service delivery by partnering with learning institutions, particularly with JKUAT as a base from which to demonstrate a sustainable model. By students practising what they have learned, the skilled workforce will continuously grow. This will translate to more trained people and raised standards of care in the country for wheelchair users and their families.
