KISE and Huawei Champion AI-Driven Inclusive Education to Unlock Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities
By Gedion Nzyoki -
- Kenya Institute of Special Education is expanding its focus on AI-driven assistive technologies to improve inclusion for persons with disabilities
- Strategic partnerships with Huawei, Assistive Technologies for Disability Trust (AT4D), and UNESCO are driving innovation beyond pilot projects
- The institute is scaling local production of affordable assistive devices while promoting inclusive education and economic opportunities
NAIROBI, Kenya | April 24, 2026 — The Kenya Institute of Special Education (KISE) has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing inclusive innovation, unveiling expanded efforts to develop and scale assistive technologies aimed at improving access to education, employment, and independent living for persons with disabilities.
KISE Director Dr. Norman Kiogora addresses members of the press at the institution on Friday morning. Photo: KISE (Facebook).
Speaking on Friday morning during a media engagement on the role of AI in advancing inclusive education and assistive solutions for persons with disabilities, KISE Director Dr. Norman Kiogora said the institute is positioning itself as a centre of excellence in special needs education, assessment, and rehabilitation, with an increasing focus on technology-driven solutions to address long-standing accessibility gaps.
“Today, we open our doors to showcase our work and demonstrate our commitment to inclusive innovation, ensuring that persons with disabilities are not left behind in the digital age. Despite rapid technological advancement, many still face limited access to education, assistive technology, and economic opportunities. Innovation must respond to real needs and promote meaningful inclusion,” Kiogora said.
He noted that despite significant progress, many persons with disabilities continue to face barriers in accessing education, assistive devices, and economic opportunities.
He emphasised that rapid technological advancement presents a critical opportunity to close these gaps through purpose-built inclusive innovation.
In 2024, KISE partnered with Huawei, Assistive Technologies for Disability Trust (AT4D), UNESCO, and other stakeholders to launch an AI Hackathon that brought together young innovators to develop assistive solutions for persons with disabilities.
The initiative has since moved beyond its pilot phase, with growing calls to scale the innovations into a fully resourced national programme.
Dr. Kiogora said the solutions emerging from the programme have the potential to expand access to assistive technologies, strengthen inclusive learning environments, and enhance opportunities for skills development, entrepreneurship, and employment.
The initiative is also expected to promote greater independence and social participation among persons with disabilities.
KISE further announced plans to strengthen its capacity to design and locally manufacture assistive devices. Through its production facility, the institute aims to integrate digital design systems, artificial intelligence, and advanced manufacturing technologies to produce affordable, user-centred assistive solutions.
“To translate this vision into practical impact, KISE is strengthening its capacity to design and produce assistive solutions locally. Through its production facility, it will apply digital design systems, artificial intelligence, and advanced technologies to develop and manufacture assistive devices, enabling a shift from concepts to scalable solutions that are accessible, affordable, and tailored to the needs of persons with disabilities,” he added.
The institute encouraged stakeholders and media practitioners to engage directly with specialists on-site to better understand the impact of its programmes. It also urged journalists to report on disability issues with accuracy, dignity, and sensitivity, emphasizing the importance of highlighting innovation, ability, and progress in the sector.
“As you report on these stories, we urge you to do so with accuracy, dignity, and sensitivity. Reporting on disability is not only about highlighting challenges but also about amplifying ability, opportunity, and progress. The journey toward inclusion requires collective effort, and your voice is critical in shaping that narrative,” Kiogora said.
Speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy, Molocyce Esther, Senior ICT Officer – Partnerships, said that AI is increasingly becoming a key enabler of inclusive development.
“Artificial Intelligence is a powerful driver of inclusivity, and we cannot have a serious conversation about inclusion without placing persons with disabilities at the centre. What we have seen at KISE today is a strong example of how technology can be integrated into disability support systems to improve lives,” Esther said.
“This project is both timely and necessary. Kenya needs more facilities, programmes, and partnerships that apply innovation to solve social challenges. We are proud to support an initiative that uses AI to create opportunity, dignity, and independence for persons with disabilities,” she added.
She emphasized that persons with disabilities must remain central in all inclusive innovation efforts, noting that technology is increasingly being integrated into disability support systems to improve quality of life.
She also pointed to Kenya’s shift toward predictive technologies, saying these innovations could transform disability support through solutions such as intelligent mobility systems and assistive tools for visually impaired persons.
She further called for stronger partnerships and expanded programmes that leverage innovation to address social challenges while promoting dignity, opportunity, and independence.
Huawei’s Policy and Partnerships Lead, Adam Lane, said disability inclusion is a mainstream issue that affects society broadly, noting that most people either have or will have direct experience of disability within their families. He stressed that innovation must therefore place inclusion at its core.
“Disability inclusion is not a niche issue; it is a mainstream societal issue. Almost every family knows someone living with a disability, and many people will experience disability at some stage in life. That is why inclusion must be at the heart of innovation,” Adam Lane said.
He observed that artificial intelligence offers an opportunity to shift from standardized solutions to adaptive technologies tailored to individual needs.
He also highlighted Huawei’s Tech4All initiative, under which the company is supporting programmes aimed not only at improving access to education but also at strengthening livelihoods and employment opportunities for persons with disabilities, describing it as one of its most impactful partnerships in Kenya.
He added: “The real value of technology, and especially AI, lies in its ability to adapt, learn, and respond to individual needs. Rather than one-size-fits-all solutions, AI gives us the opportunity to create highly customized tools that empower persons with disabilities in practical and meaningful ways.”
Qhala Chief Executive Officer Shikoh Gitau emphasized that assistive technology is key to promoting participation, independence, and dignity for persons with disabilities, noting that many still face exclusion due to limited access to affordable and appropriate tools.
She said the collaboration aims to bridge this gap by combining local expertise with emerging technologies such as AI to develop practical, context-specific solutions. Gitau added that the goal is to ensure innovations are accessible, affordable, and effectively reach end users.
Meanwhile, George Siso of inABLE stressed that digital inclusion must be intentionally embedded at every stage of technology design to ensure persons with disabilities are fully included in the digital economy.
He noted that accessibility can unlock opportunities in education, employment, and entrepreneurship, and welcomed the partnership approach as a shift from discussion to implementation. He further said the collaboration positions Kenya as a leader in inclusive innovation through joint efforts by government, industry, and disability-focused organizations.
KISE acknowledged continued support from partners including Huawei, AT4D, Qhala, and UNESCO, noting that multi-agency collaboration remains central to developing sustainable and scalable solutions in the disability space.
During the event, stakeholders were taken through KISE’s integrated service model, which includes assessment and rehabilitation services such as hydrotherapy, earmould production, and sensory integration units.
Visitors also toured digital learning environments powered by Huawei smart screens, alongside the National Assistive Devices Production Unit.
Dr. Kiogora was joined by Deputy Directors Mr. Antony Mwangi (Finance and Administration) and Mr. Daniel Sanoe (Programmes), alongside senior officials and partner representatives.
Ultimately, the collaboration between Kenya Institute of Special Education and Huawei signals a shift from policy to practice- where AI-driven innovation is not just advancing technology, but actively breaking barriers, expanding opportunity, and redefining inclusion for persons with disabilities in Kenya and beyond.
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