Human rights defenders from Kwale county have called for the employment of sign language interpreters in public institutions.
The young defenders have also urged Kwale government to build disability friendly infrastructure in hospitals and other facilities.
Network for Adolescent and Youth of Africa representative Hope Esther, said persons living with disability have difficulty in accessing services in public institutions.
She said communication barrier has made it difficult for people with hearing impairment to get proper services.
"The institutions lack translators. This has barred the PWDs from communicating their needs," Esther said.
She said she has received several complains of wrong services from deaf people.
"Some have approached me and told me they were tested for malaria in various health facilities, when they wanted to be tested for HIV," Esther said.
She said it is high time the government trained health workers on sign language or employed interpreters.
The activist said inclusivity can not be attained if PWDs are left out and are unable to get better services.
Esther decried the slow process of fresh registration of PWDs.
"Disabled people cannot fully benefit from government programmes at the moment because they have no identification cards," she said.
She Leads Girls' advocate Aisha Mwanyungu said many health centres and public facilities lack ramps and special toilets for disabled people.
She said disabled people crawl on dirty floors to access toilet services hence the risk of contracting infections and diseases.
"The toilets in health facilities and institutions are inaccessible and present challenges to those on wheelchairs and crutches," Mwanyungu said.
She decried the low uptake of disabled people in employment and leadership opportunities.
Mariam Suleiman, an advocate from She Leads Girls' said many government initiatives for disabled are not accessible.
She said many PWDs are languishing in poverty and living under deplorable conditions.
Kwale PWDs representative Mwalimu Badi said stigma has alienated many disabled people and forced some to drop out of school.
He said this has barred many of them from formal employment.
"Sadly, we have parents who have not fully accepted their disabled children and hide them at home," Badi said.
He urged the government to sensitise PWDs on initiatives like Access to Government Procurement Opportunities, which are meant to benefit them.
Muslims Women Advancement of Rights and Protection officer Mgeni Mwamboga has cautioned parents against hiding their disabled children.
She said all PWDs are entitled to better education, health, shelter and employment opportunities.
Mwamboga said it is a violation of the law and human rights to exclude PWDs from crucial services.
She said as rights defenders, they will push for appropriate actions against the perpetrators.
