Mission
Our Goals
The Kenya Business and Disability Network aims to create a workforce culture that is respectful and inclusive of people with disabilities. We will achieve this goal by promoting and facilitating the hiring, retention and professional development of people with disabilities. In particular, we work to raise awareness about the business and human rights case for disability inclusion in the workplace, and highlight the positive relationship between disability inclusion and business success.
Our Work
The Kenya Business and Disability Network is an employer-led countrywide network of companies and associates, hosted by the Federation of Kenya Employers, working together to promote disability inclusion in the workplace. The network provides a unique platform for business-to business support and exchange on disability issues in Kenya and supports through its associates, companies to be more disability confident, based on its 10 charter principles. Through participating in our network, companies benefit from more diverse workforce, improved productivity and customer service, increased employee satisfaction and morale, reduced turnover, safer workplaces, increased brand loyalty and gained respect from peers by providing leadership in inclusion nationwide. As the host FKE is increasingly able to improve its capacity to address members’ needs related to disability diversity, corporate social responsibility, legal adherence, national policies and human capital interventions.
THE WIN-WIN OF DISABILITY INCLUSION
15% of the world’s population has some form of disability. These one billion people are often excluded from employment due to negative misconceptions about their ability to contribute in the workplace. But by focusing on skills rather than stereotypes, companies can gain access to a huge pool of untapped talent and maximize the potential of their workforce.
The business case of workplace diversity is been well-established. Employees with diverse experiences have different approaches to problem-solving and can increase a company’s capacity for innovation. Companies that are disability-inclusive report higher levels of retention, engagement and loyalty among their employees. Businesses that show a real commitment to inclusion also enjoy a better reputation among customers and are better positioned to move into new markets.
When businesses commit to including people with disabilities, everyone wins.
Background
With financial support from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) through the “Innovation to Inclusion (i2i)” programme, the Kenya Business and Disability Network (KBDN) was established in 2020 as a joint initiative by the Federation of Kenya Employers (FKE) and the International Labour Organization (ILO). Capitalising on FKE’s leadership in the Kenyan business community and the ILO’s expertise in supporting the establishment of country-level platforms for the peer-to-peer exchange on disability issues among companies, the KBDN serves as a single voice for businesses in Kenya on the inclusion of persons with disabilities in the workplace. By providing a platform for companies to learn from each other and tap into support by disability-specific non-business entities, the KBDN aims to create a “disability confident” business community in Kenya.