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In Kenya's coastal Kilifi County, one of the country's most underserved regions in terms of disability inclusion, only four in ten children with disabilities access any form of schooling. Only 40% of children with disabilities access schooling versus a 45% national average, due to poor infrastructure, limited accessibility, and stigma. Even in schools that consider themselves inclusive, learners with disabilities remain marginalized by inaccessible playfields and persistent negative attitudes.  

Fida International and Pamoja Change Kenya, operating through the Tunajali Programme, are advancing Kenya’s vision of inclusive education. The programme seeks a partnership with the WiT programme to co-design and build a model inclusive playground in one school in Magarini Subcounty, creating an evidence-based prototype that can be scaled across the county. Key stakeholders include children with disabilities, teachers, school management boards, parents, organizations of persons with disabilities, religious institutions, and relevant government actors. 

The right to education must encompass belonging, play, and peer interaction—not just enrolment. As access grows, school environments are not keeping pace; most playgrounds exist but exclude diverse abilities, reinforcing segregation and negative perceptions. Prioritizing inclusive playfields and ensuring the safety, accessibility, and suitability of school facilities for differently abled children will transform schools into spaces where every child can participate and thrive. 

The initiative aims to translate policy into practice through a community-driven design and delivery process, aligning county priorities, school needs, and child-centered outcomes. At its core lies a practical inquiry: which architectural design principles and features are most effective in promoting inclusive play in school environments for children with diverse abilities, and how can these be integrated into affordable, maintainable, and culturally responsive playgrounds that can be replicated across Kilifi County and beyond? 

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