News Light Kenya Launches ACCESS4SAFE Project to Strengthen Digital Safety for Persons with Disabilities
News Light Kenya has officially launched activities under the ACCESS4SAFE Project through a phishing awareness and digital safety training aimed at empowering Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) with knowledge on online safety and cyber security.
The training, held on May 20, 2026, marked the beginning of a five month initiative that seeks to enhance digital security awareness, cyber resilience, and safe internet use among Persons with Disabilities.
The event brought together participants from different disability groups who were taken through practical lessons on identifying phishing scams, suspicious online activities, fake messages, and cyber fraud. The training also focused on strengthening digital literacy and encouraging responsible internet use among vulnerable groups.
Speaking during the training, facilitators emphasised the growing need for digital safety awareness as more people continue to rely on online platforms for communication, business, education, and access to services.
“Cyber threats continue to affect many internet users, and Persons with Disabilities should not be left behind in efforts aimed at promoting digital safety and inclusion,” one of the facilitators said.
Participants were trained on several key areas including understanding phishing scams, identifying fake emails and suspicious links, password protection, account security, safe use of social media platforms, and ways of reporting cyber threats.
The facilitators also conducted practical demonstrations to help participants understand how online scams operate and how they can protect themselves while using digital platforms.
According to the organisers, the training was designed to increase awareness of cyber threats while equipping participants with skills to identify and avoid online scams.
“The goal of this project is to ensure that Persons with Disabilities are able to participate safely in the digital space without fear of exploitation, fraud, or cyber attacks,” the organisers stated.
The training sessions were highly interactive, giving participants an opportunity to ask questions, share personal experiences, and discuss challenges they face while accessing digital services.
Participants expressed appreciation for the programme, describing it as timely and informative, especially at a time when online scams continue to rise across different digital platforms.
One participant said the training had helped improve understanding of online threats and safe internet practices.
“Many people receive suspicious links and messages daily without knowing the risks involved. This training has helped us understand how to identify scams and protect ourselves online,” the participant said.
Another participant noted that the practical demonstrations made it easier to understand cyber threats and online safety measures.
“The session was very educational because we were shown real examples of phishing attempts and how to avoid becoming victims,” the participant added.
The organisers reported that the first session recorded active participation, with attendees showing strong interest in learning more about digital protection and cyber security.
Among the achievements recorded during the launch were improved understanding of phishing and cyber related risks, increased awareness on safe online practices, and enhanced confidence among participants in identifying and avoiding digital scams.
The project team also noted that the initiative had strengthened engagement between the organisation and beneficiaries, creating a platform for continued learning and support on digital safety matters.
Despite the successful launch, the organisers acknowledged that the event experienced minor logistical and accessibility challenges during participant coordination and transportation.
One of the major challenges involved accessibility to the training venue after an upstairs room had initially been booked for the session. Participants using wheelchairs and those with mobility challenges experienced difficulties accessing the room due to its location.
Following observations by the project team, immediate consultations were held with the hall management, leading to the relocation of the training to a downstairs hall that was more accessible to all participants.
The organisers commended the hall management for responding quickly to the concern and ensuring that no participant was left behind.
“We observed that some participants could not comfortably access the upstairs room because of their physical condition. After discussions with the hall management, we were able to move the session downstairs to ensure inclusivity for everyone,” the project team explained.
The organisers further noted that the experience highlighted the importance of ensuring accessibility in all programmes involving Persons with Disabilities.
As part of the next phase of the ACCESS4SAFE Project, the organisation plans to continue rolling out training sessions and awareness activities over the next five months.
Upcoming engagements will focus on broader digital literacy, cyber hygiene, online privacy, and safe digital participation for Persons with Disabilities.
The project team will also continue monitoring participant progress and collecting feedback to improve future training sessions and ensure the programme effectively addresses the needs of beneficiaries.
The successful completion of the first phishing awareness training was described as an important milestone in promoting digital inclusion and safety for Persons with Disabilities.
News Light Kenya thanked donors and partners for their continued support in advancing digital security awareness and empowering vulnerable communities through inclusive technology initiatives.
The organisation expressed optimism that the ACCESS4SAFE Project would help create a safer and more inclusive digital environment for Persons with Disabilities across the country.
Caption: Participants follow proceedings during the ACCESS4SAFE phishing awareness and digital safety training organised by News Light Kenya for Persons with Disabilities on May 20, 2026
