Social Sciences

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 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.

Duration: 2 years
Private, up to: Ksh 121,150
Job market: Moderate

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time, Part-time
Attachment: 3 months
Average class: 25 students
Award: Diploma

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 programme

Introduction 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

Growing recognition of disability rights and inclusion creates increasing demand for trained professionals.
The programme is offered through a specialised institute (DIDS) with expertise and networks in disability studies.
Graduates can progress to a Bachelor of Arts in Disability Studies or related degree programmes.

Against it

The programme is offered at only one university, limiting study location options.
Many disability sector roles are project-funded and may offer modest salaries at entry level.

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 courses

Private121k to 121k

121k at Daystar University121k at Daystar University

Annual 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 recorded

HELB Loan
LoanKsh 40,000Kenyan
Kenyan students enrolled in accredited programmes at recognised institutions

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C-
Alternative entry: 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.

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous 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

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The programme is offered at Daystar University through the Daystar Institute of Disability Studies (DIDS).

Accredited by

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 roles

Disability 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

Certifications

Commission for University Education (CUE) Accreditation

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.