Chris Infotainment

A Teenager’s Struggle with EasyJet Over Wheelchair Battery A 14-year-old boy from Liverpool, Anthony Higgins, also known as AJ, was left in tears after being forced to leave his wheelchair battery behind on an EasyJet flight from Disneyland Paris. The incident has sparked outrage and highlighted the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities when traveling. AJ suffers from Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a progressive genetic disorder that causes muscle weakness and leaves him unable to walk. He had recently returned from a three-day trip to Disneyland Paris, funded by the Make A Wish Foundation. This was supposed to be a dream come true for him, but the journey back home turned into a nightmare. The family, including AJ’s mother Melissa Higgins and her partner Christopher Harvey, were flying from Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris to Manchester when the problem arose. According to Melissa, a pilot refused to allow the £1,000 wheelchair battery on board, claiming the wattage was...

New Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities in Sri Lanka Persons with disabilities in Sri Lanka are now set to gain greater mobility and independence as they can apply for driving licenses under new provisions. This significant development was announced by Parliamentarian Sugath Wasantha de Silva, who highlighted the removal of long-standing barriers that previously prevented individuals with hearing or speech impairments, as well as those with partial visual capacity, from obtaining licenses. The move follows years of discussions aimed at ensuring that the country’s 1.6 million people living with disabilities can fully participate in society. MP de Silva, who also serves on the advisory committee to the Ministry of Transport, emphasized that one of the main challenges had been the lack of proper medical certification and the absence of vehicle adaptations for various physical conditions. He noted that over 400,000 hearing and speech-impaired citizens have already demonstrated t...

KEMSA's Commitment to Assistive Technology in Kenya The Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) has reaffirmed its dedication to making assistive technology (AT) devices more accessible, affordable, and available to all Kenyans. This commitment is rooted in the belief that access to such technologies is a fundamental human right, essential for dignity and social justice. At the 2025 Devolution Conference held in Homa Bay County, themed “Advancing Human Rights and Social Justice through Assistive Technology and Rehabilitation Services,” KEMSA Chief Executive Officer Waqo Dulacha emphasized the importance of inclusion within the health supply chain. He stressed that no Kenyan should be left behind in the quest for equitable access to healthcare services. Dulacha highlighted that several legal frameworks, including the Constitution of Kenya, the Persons with Disabilities Act, 2025, and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, recognize access to assistive tech...

A New Era for Persons with Disabilities in Kenya The signing of the Persons with Disabilities Act by President William Ruto on May 8 marks a pivotal moment for Kenyans with disabilities. This legislation represents a significant step forward in fostering inclusion and ensuring that the rights of individuals with disabilities are protected, promoted, and monitored effectively. The new Act aligns closely with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, setting a strong foundation for future progress. Key Rights Established by the Act Part III of the Act outlines the comprehensive rights of persons with disabilities, expanding upon the Bill of Rights in the Constitution. It operationalizes Article 54, which was not explicitly addressed in the previous constitutional framework. The Act recognizes critical rights such as legal capacity, equality, freedom from discrimination, the right to marry and form a family, privacy, physical and mental integrity, human ...