Disability and Accessibility

Gulnar Feerasta ’23 and Felicia Mburu ’23 facilitated a program for Kenyan civil societies to spark a discussion on the accessibility of health services at the intersection of disability and sexuality, including training medical practitioners and educating patients.

With hearing loss increasing, accessible technology like Apple AirPods is a positive step, but true inclusion requires more. From dependable interpreter services to quiet spaces and improved training for healthcare providers, James Huang strives to ensure the deaf and hard-of-hearing receive the care and connection they need.

Paige Knowlson ’21, Felicia Mburu ’23, Shubha Nagesh ’19 and Nancy Rumaldo ’21 — who met and connected at an Atlantic Fellows for Health Equity convening in Peru—advocate for better support for the 317 million children worldwide with developmental disabilities. Children in rural areas and urban centers face challenges accessing screening, specialists and therapies. Expanding these models globally requires funding, training, and innovative solutions like telehealth.

Nonsikelelo Mathe ’23 co-founded Gateway Holistic Care Group, which creates environments where Autistic individuals, and those with developmental disabilities and complex care needs, can thrive mentally, socially and physically.

Mildred Omino ’20 and Shubha Nagesh ’19 co-authored a chapter on caring for children with disabilities during crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic and other emergencies. They highlighted best practices, including comprehensive care that combines health and rehabilitation, support for parents and caregivers, education, and policy advocacy.

Mildred Omino '20 helps students from the University of Nairobi solve mobility issues and secure reasonable accommodations for their coursework.

Melikte Paulos Weldetensaye ’23 completed Project Zuriash with her organization ZuZu for Health and Education. This initiative provided health education and preventive services on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights tailored for blind women. They also offered eco-friendly sanitary products and incorporated sign language in educational videos for deaf women.

The Atlantic Fellows for Health Equity was proud to present an International Day of Persons With Disabilities Webinar titled “Transformative Solutions for Inclusive Development.” In addition to featuring a keynote by renowned disability in medical education expert Lisa Meeks, James Huang ’18, Nonsi Mathe ’23 and Mildred Omino ’20 discussed the role of innovation in fueling an accessible and equitable world in a panel moderated by Shubha Nagesh ’19.