In 2012, the United Nations declared June 1st as Global Day of Parents to highlight the critical role of parents in child rearing. This day recognizes that the primary responsibility for the nurturing and protection of children rests with the family.

As we all know, parenting is difficult at all times. It is even more difficult when you have a special needs child, and it is nearly impossible during a global pandemic. This Covid-19 school year has been challenging, particularly for children with disabilities. Parents and children were forced to adapt to daily uncertainty as schools and childcare centers closed.

The burden was especially heavy for parents of disabled children, who had to fulfill multiple roles as parents, caregivers, teachers, and so on (UNESCO). Children’s education, nutrition, growth, social development, and protection suffered greatly as schools were closed for months (UNICEF). Unfortunately, inaccessibility to therapy, support services, and education for children with special needs can have long-term and significant consequences.

Our mission at inABLE is to provide learners with disabilities with assistive computer technology so that they can experience independence earlier in life. We recognize and applaud all of the parents around the world who have worked so hard to support their children in the last year.

Jacinta Nzeng’a, for example, has a large family of 16 children, four of whom are visually impaired. She is the mother of Ruth Kasyoka, an inABLE Alumni and one of the top performing learners with disabilities in the recent Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) examinations. Jacinta believes her experiences taught her to work hard, provide for her children, and never give up because children are a gift that should be loved unconditionally. Jacinta has shown her children and other parents where they can get help, while also encouraging them to speak up and share their stories because it can make a difference.

“I have seen many parents struggle, and because it took me so long to educate my children, I now encourage parents to take their children to school so they can learn to be independent and explore their full potential,” she says to other parents with special needs children. Ruth, for example, aspires to be a lawyer or a lecturer.”

Written by: Esther Njeri Mwangi, Public Relations Officer, inABLE