Diploma in Disability Studies
The Diploma in Disability Studies is a programme that equips students with knowledge and practical skills in disability advocacy, inclusive development, special needs education and community-based rehabilitation. Offered at Daystar University through its Institute of Disability Studies, the programme prepares students for careers supporting persons with disabilities across Kenya and Africa.
The short answer
- What it costs
- Up to Ksh 121,150 a year at a private one.The detail
- Who can get in
- A KCSE mean grade of C- or above. There is another way in without it.The detail
- How long, and when
- Takes 2 years, full-time, part-time, with 3 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 2 institutions.The detail
- Where it leads
- 8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Adolescent Mentorship Officer, at 14 out of 100.The detail
The programme
What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.
Overview
The curriculum covers introduction to disability studies, disability models and frameworks, special needs education, inclusive development, community-based rehabilitation, disability law and policy, advocacy and human rights, assistive technology, counselling for persons with disabilities, project management, research methods, communication skills and industrial attachment. Students develop both analytical and practical community engagement skills.
Kenya's disability sector is growing, with increasing recognition of the rights and needs of persons with disabilities. The programme responds to the need for trained professionals who can support inclusion, advocate for rights and implement community-based rehabilitation programmes.
The programme is delivered through lectures, group discussions, field visits, case studies, community-based projects, research assignments and industrial attachment. Students gain hands-on experience in disability assessment, inclusive programme design and advocacy through fieldwork and attachment at disability-focused organisations, special schools or government departments.
Graduates pursue careers as disability programme officers, community rehabilitation workers, special needs assistants, advocacy officers and inclusion coordinators in NGOs, CBOs, government agencies, schools and international organisations. They can also progress to a Bachelor of Arts in Disability Studies or related degree programmes.
Prospective students should have an interest in social justice, inclusion and community development. The programme is suitable for students seeking careers in the disability sector and those passionate about supporting persons with disabilities.
What you study
8 subjects- Disability Models, Frameworks and Rights
- Special Needs Education and Inclusive Development
- Community-Based Rehabilitation and Advocacy
- Disability Law, Policy and Human Rights
- Assistive Technology and Accessibility
- Counselling and Psychosocial Support
- Project Management and Research Methods
- Communication Skills and Entrepreneurship
Modules
8 in the programmeIntroduction to Disability Studies and Disability Models
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers disability models (medical, social, human rights), disability classification, historical perspectives, disability statistics and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Special Needs Education and Inclusive Development
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers special needs education principles, inclusive education practices, universal design for learning, differentiated instruction and supporting learners with disabilities.
Community-Based Rehabilitation and Advocacy
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers community-based rehabilitation (CBR) matrix, CBR programme design, advocacy strategies, disability rights movements and empowerment approaches.
Disability Law, Policy and Human Rights
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers Kenyan disability law, the Persons with Disabilities Act, disability policy frameworks, human rights instruments and accessibility standards.
Assistive Technology and Accessibility
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers assistive devices and technology, accessibility audits, universal design, ICT for persons with disabilities and reasonable accommodation.
Counselling and Psychosocial Support
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers counselling techniques for persons with disabilities and their families, psychosocial support, grief and loss counselling, and family intervention strategies.
Project Management, Research and Communication
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers project planning, monitoring and evaluation, research methods, data collection, report writing, communication skills and entrepreneurship.
Industrial Attachment and Community Project
Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore
A three-month industrial attachment at a disability-focused organisation, special school or government department, plus a community-based disability project assessed through a report.
Specialisations
Community-Based Rehabilitation
Focuses on CBR programme design and implementation for careers as community rehabilitation workers.
Advocacy and Policy
Specialises in disability rights advocacy and policy engagement for careers as advocacy officers.
Inclusive Education Support
Focuses on supporting inclusive education practices for careers as inclusion coordinators in schools.
Assistive Technology
Specialises in assistive devices and accessibility for careers supporting technology access for persons with disabilities.
A day as a student
A typical day begins with a morning lecture on disability models or special needs education, followed by a group discussion on inclusive development. Afternoon sessions may include a field visit to a disability-focused organisation, a case study on community-based rehabilitation, or a counselling skills workshop. Students also work on community-based projects and advocacy assignments.
The trade-offs
| In its favour | Against it |
|---|---|
| Growing recognition of disability rights and inclusion creates increasing demand for trained professionals. | The programme is offered at only one university, limiting study location options. |
| The programme is offered through a specialised institute (DIDS) with expertise and networks in disability studies. | Many disability sector roles are project-funded and may offer modest salaries at entry level. |
| Graduates can progress to a Bachelor of Arts in Disability Studies or related degree programmes. | — |
What it costs
Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.
What it costs, and where
Against 241 social sciences coursesAnnual tuition in Kenyan shillings, rounded. The upright tick is the median for this field, so a bar sitting entirely to its right is an expensive programme by the standards of its own subject.
The fine print
Daystar 121.2K/yr private (daystar.ac.ke). Public: unverified.
Students can access HELB loans. Daystar University offers scholarships and financial aid for qualifying students.
Funding options
HELB Loan
Scholarships
1 recordedHELB Loan
LoanKsh 40,000Kenyan
Kenyan students enrolled in accredited programmes at recognised institutions
Scholarships you could apply for
6 usable where it is taught- Equity Group Foundation Wings to Fly
Closes 28 February 2027FullEquity Bank
Full secondary + university
- Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship
Closes 31 March 2027FullAga Khan Foundation
Full university study
- Family Bank Foundation Education Support
Closes 30 June 2027PartialFamily Bank
KES 80,000 per year
- HELB Undergraduate Scholarship
Closes 31 July 2027PartialHigher Education Loans Board
KES 40,000 to 60,000 per year
- County Government Scholarships
Varies by countyPartialCounty Governments
KES 50,000 to 200,000 per year
- Moringa School Craftbyte Scholarship
QuarterlyFullMoringa School
Full software development course
Getting in
The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.
What you need
Mean grade C plain or one principal pass at A levels, or 4 credits or better in IGCSE, or equivalent qualification recognised by the university.
When it next starts
Taught at 2 institutionsIncluding Daystar University, Maseno University.
Including Daystar University, Maseno University.
Including Daystar University, Maseno University.
How you are assessed
4 componentsContinuous Assessment Tests
Written examination30% of the mark
Mid-semester and end-of-semester written tests covering disability models, special needs education and community-based rehabilitation.
Coursework Assignments
Assignment30% of the mark
Assessment of essays, group projects, presentations and community-based assignments.
Community Project
Project40% of the mark
A community-based disability project assessed through a written report and oral presentation.
Industrial Attachment Report
Practicum100% of the mark
Assessment of performance during industrial attachment at a disability-focused organisation or government department.
Accreditation
Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The programme is offered at Daystar University through the Daystar Institute of Disability Studies (DIDS).
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
4 rolesDisability Programme Officer
Moderate demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 150,000
Plans, implements and monitors disability inclusion programmes in NGOs, CBOs and international organisations.
Community Rehabilitation Worker
Moderate demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 120,000
Supports community-based rehabilitation programmes, conducts disability assessments and facilitates access to services for persons with disabilities.
Advocacy Officer
Moderate demandKsh 33,000 to Ksh 140,000
Advocates for disability rights, engages stakeholders, organises campaigns and supports policy reform initiatives.
Inclusion Coordinator
Moderate demandKsh 32,000 to Ksh 130,000
Supports inclusive practices in organisations, schools and communities, ensuring accessibility and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities.
Graduate outcomes
Graduates work as disability programme officers, community rehabilitation workers and advocacy officers in NGOs, government agencies and international organisations.
Where these fields lead
8 careers- Adolescent Mentorship OfficerSocial Sciences14Low exposure
- Correctional CounselorSocial Sciences15Low exposure
- Child Protection OfficerSocial Sciences16Low exposure
- CriminologistSocial Sciences16Low exposure
- Human Rights InvestigatorSocial Sciences16Low exposure
- Social GerontologistSocial Sciences16Low exposure
- Community Resilience SpecialistSocial Sciences17Low exposure
- Gender Integration SpecialistSocial Sciences17Low exposure
Certifications
Industry links
Common misconceptions
Disability studies is only about charity and pity.
The programme focuses on rights, inclusion, advocacy and empowerment, grounded in the social model of disability and human rights frameworks.
You need to have a disability to study disability studies.
The programme is open to all students with a KCSE mean grade of C- who are passionate about inclusion and social justice.
Disability studies has no career prospects.
There is growing demand for disability professionals in NGOs, government agencies, schools and international organisations as inclusion becomes mainstreamed.
Disability studies is the same as special needs education.
While related, disability studies is broader, covering advocacy, policy, community-based rehabilitation and inclusive development beyond just education.