Having fun in the sun for Autism Awareness - and a question of unsound mind

ANDY spent yesterday having fun in the sun at Autism Awareness Kenya's centrepiece event to mark international autism awareness day.

While we did not take part in the conga or the extremely competitive game of musical chairs, we certainly enjoyed watching. We also took the opportunity to meet many of the committed professionals and parents of children with autism who are doing such a fantastic job of making sure more and  more people in Kenya understand autism and intervene early to give children with this lifelong disability a better chance of leading a full and active life. 

Last week's blog post explains more about autism, and the fact that ANDY is supporting

Autism Awareness Kenya in order to see how our programmes can improve the lives of per sons with autism and their families.

 We met many wonderful people and are confident that we can play our part in increasing understanding of this little-understood disability, as well as help persons with autism access the rights we have all gained though the new constitution and international human rights laws.

Calling all professionals, experts and parents of children with disabilties

ANDY is also seeking to clear up one area of the constitution which we think may give room for potential discrimination against young persons with autism, and those with other development, learning or intelectual disabilities.

 

Article 83 sub-section 1 (b) of the new constitution says that any adult can vote as long as they have not been declared 'of unsound mind'. ANDY is seeking the views of relevant medical and teaching professionals, young persons with those disabilties and their families to form a position which we will present to the government on this matter.

If you are a  young person or have a child with autism or any other development, learning or intelectual disability, or you are a professional working with this group, we would love to hear from you. Please email jcogembo@andy.or.ke with details of how you are connected to the issue.