Rebecca A. Ayallo

The study adopted descriptive design, qualitative and quantitative data was collected from the study population - from Association for the Physically Disabled in Kenya (APDK) and Handicap International (HI). A purposive multi-stage sampling of the study groups was done; and proportionate stratified sampling for ninety-five (95) self employed PWDs who were registered with their groups and the two organizations was done. Simple random sampling was used across the different stratum groups (the visually impaired, the hearing impaired and the physically challenged) to pick those who were surveyed in this study. Structured Questionnaires were used to obtain data from the respondents. The researcher used descriptive and inferential statistics to analyze and present the quantitative data. The resulting information was presented using tables, pie charts and bar graphs. The study found that 97.9% of the self employed PWDs linked to the two organisation programs had adequate information on microfinance services while 90.5% had on microfinance institutions. Over (92.6%) were aware of other places to access microfinance services. An equally high proportion (96.8%) managed to access and use the microfinance services. The services and products were available to them but financial requirements (68.9%) remains a constraint as a proportion of 68.9% was required to meet such requirement before access. Other areas that required attention included training on income generating activities, employment and access to health services with the aim of creating access to these services. This study concluded that the self-employed persons with disability were able to effectively utilise the information to access microfinance services. The availability of these services within the linkage programs and groups also facilitated access of such services. However, the study further found that, the financial requirements remain a major hindrance to access of microfinance services by PWDs at the NGOs, mainstream banks or MFIs. The study recommends special emphasis and considerations for the self-employed PWDs when it comes to access of microfinance services. PWDs may require special attention from these institutions when it comes to financial requirements for accessing the finances. It is also recommended that more detailed analytical research is necessary to articulately analyse how these factors could be impacting on the general livelihood of the PWDs.