Youth-Led OPD Innovation and Economic Empowerment Through Digital Inclusion
Beyond Barriers for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) is a youth-led Organisation of People with Disabilities (OPD) coordinated by Stella Wangila, a young lady with cerebral palsy.
Figure: Stella Wangila holds the country-level strategy document, pictured alongside her colleagues from the group
The group focuses on empowerment, advocacy, climate action, and health, and has progressively integrated digital tools into its operations, including virtual meetings and the use of AI to support content development, proposal writing, and communication. Stella was introduced to AI tools during the OPD capacity building training sessions conducted by Kilimanjaro Blind Trust Africa, and she has since trained her members on how to use and navigate these tools, strengthening the group’s digital capacity and efficiency.
A notable milestone and highlight of this skills uptake has been the development of a successful funding proposal to the Destiny Path Foundation, secured with the support of AI tools, which resulted in funding of 100,000 Kenyan Shilling, a significant win to the organisation. The group invested the funds into income-generating activities, including the purchase of a refrigerator for a juice business and investment in a small-scale fish business.
This initial success has created momentum for further resource mobilization, with additional proposals currently underway to expand their initiatives. Beyond organisational growth, the impact of capacity building activities at the member level has been significant. Members of the group have gained economic independence, with several now running small businesses such as salons, daycare services, and second-hand clothing (thrift) businesses.
Figure: A member of the Beyond Barriers PWD has a thrift shop and a salon business, courtesy of the grant money the group received.
As a result of the capacity building workshops, the OPD has embraced inclusive communication tools, including live captions, to facilitate engagement with deaf youth, strengthening accessibility and participation within their activities. In addition, Beyond Barriers has built strategic partnerships with organisations such as Next Step Foundation and Brighter Monday, under a Mastercard Foundation-supported entrepreneurship programme, providing members with access to structured entrepreneurship training and broader economic opportunities.
This experience highlights how youth-led OPDs, when equipped with digital skills and Assistive Technology, can move beyond advocacy to become effective drivers of innovation, resource mobilisation, and economic empowerment for persons with disabilities.