Focus of the Week: Crystal Asige – A Visionary Leader Pioneering Change for Disability Rights
In a world that often sidelines the narratives of people with disabilities, Crystal Asige emerges as a beacon of resilience and inspiration. The award-winning Kenyan singer-songwriter, disability rights champion, and the first visually impaired female senator in Kenya’s Parliament is reshaping perceptions and paving the way for a more inclusive future. Her story, recently spotlighted at the TUMI2023 Conference, is one of courage, advocacy, and groundbreaking change.
Crystal’s journey with glaucoma began as a teenager, steadily diminishing her eyesight until she became visually impaired. Yet, she rejects the notion that her impairment defines her. In her words, “This [pointing to her eyes] is not disability. This [pointing to her temple] is disability.” For Crystal, disability is an equation: an impairment compounded by barriers, whether societal or structural. Her humor-infused perspective — referring to herself as a “VIP” (visually impaired person) — reflects her determination to challenge misconceptions and embrace her identity with pride.
Crystal’s transformative understanding of accessibility was catalyzed by her time in the UK, where she encountered tactile paving, sonic traffic lights, and user-friendly infrastructure. These experiences revealed to her that her disability was exacerbated by systemic barriers in Kenya. She boldly states, “I was further disabled because of living in Kenya.”
This realization drives her work as an Inclusive Mobility Practitioner and as a parliamentarian. Sworn into office in October 2022, Senator Asige has been at the forefront of legislative efforts to dismantle these barriers. She is advocating for the integration of Universal Design into Kenya’s Road Act, influenced by her work on the globally recognized Road Note 21 guidelines, developed with consultants from Africa, India, and the UK. These guidelines aim to revolutionize infrastructure to accommodate all individuals, regardless of their abilities.
Beyond legislation, Crystal leverages her artistry to foster change. As a musician, she channels her experiences into powerful melodies that resonate with audiences worldwide. Her music serves as a platform to highlight the intersectionality of being a young, black African woman with an invisible disability. Crystal calls this unique blend of advocacy and creativity “art-ivism” and “edu-tainment,” using her voice to educate and inspire societal transformation.
From her small island upbringing off the Kenyan coast to her impactful role as a global disability advocate, Crystal Asige embodies the power of determination and vision. Her accolades extend beyond her music, encompassing her roles as a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion consultant, Amnesty International Kenya board member, and YouTube content creator.
Crystal’s story reminds us that inclusivity is not just about removing physical barriers but also about dismantling the prejudices and misconceptions that hinder true equality. As she so eloquently puts it, “I think I was given this mountain so that I can show others it can be moved.”
Through her advocacy, leadership, and artistry, Crystal Asige is indeed moving mountains and building a legacy that will inspire generations to come.
