Psycho-Social Consequences of the Social Exclusion Facing Persons with Disabilities in Kenya

PWDs are at a higher risk of experiencing psychological problems due to both their disabilities and the exclusion they face. This study, therefore, investigated the psychosocial consequences of the social exclusion facing PWDs in Kenya. The participants were made up of both females and males PWDs of the ages between 20 and above 35 from across the country. The researcher employed descriptive method of research where the aspects of the study were described as per the survey that was done by administering the questionnaires and use of the positive psychology assessment tool (DASS21). This study brought to light the realities of psychosocial consequences of the social exclusion facing PWDs in Kenya. Both from the sources of primary and secondary data, it confirmed that in deed PWDs face exclusion and this impacts on their psychological health. The study found that exclusion facing PWDs in Kenya causes stress and paranoia, the aspect of lack of socialization and interactions with peers brings forth isolation which in turn leads to depression and low self-esteem. PWDs reported lack of employment as a result of discrimination basing on their disabilities and they emphasized that they need to be treated equally because they are not less human. Therefore, there is need to include mental well-being in the rehabilitation services being given to PWDs