From Charity to Sustainability
For decades, disability inclusion in Kenya, and much of the world, has been viewed through a charity lens, often relegated to the margins of corporate social responsibility (CSR). Yet, according to Kenya’s 2019 census, persons with disabilities (PWDs) make up approximately 2.2% of the population. This amounts to over a million people whose talents and potential remain largely untapped. Luke Muleka, founder of Signs Media, and his team are on a mission to change that narrative. “We’re trying to help organisations put disability at the center of their businesses, not as a charity model, but as a sustainable, innovative business opportunity,” Luke explains.
Signs Media, founded in 2011 and operational since 2017, has become a trailblazer in using assistive technology and creative media to champion the socioeconomic, political, and talent development of persons with disabilities (PWDs). With products like Sign TV (a sign language television station), the AssistALL mobile interpreter app, the UHAI Festival, and now, a fully inclusive recording studio, Signs Media is proving that disability inclusion is not just good ethics, it’s good business.
Unlocking Transformation with Access to Finance
“In our case, grants weren’t getting us closer to our vision,” he says. “We needed capital we could be accountable for. Facilities like Ota Growth mean we can build something that lasts.”
The journey to this point wasn’t easy. “We needed to upgrade our equipment and build a fully accessible studio to meet the needs of people who are deaf, blind, or wheelchair users,” Luke recalls. When they received the Ota Growth funds from HEVA Fund in March 2025, Signs Media invested in core infrastructure: a revamped production studio, a new podcast booth, and professional broadcast equipment. HEVA stepped in not just as a lender, but as a partner who understood the creative economy and the unique realities of running a business where flexible and timely financing are needed.
This investment has not only improved production quality but also positioned Signs Media for significant growth. The new studio is already attracting interest from businesses eager to collaborate, co-create, and reach a broader, more inclusive audience. Signs Media’s approach is shifting the conversation from just donations to business, from sympathy to synergy. “We’re showing entities like banks and entertainment companies that PWDs are customers and collaborators, not just beneficiaries of charity,” says Luke. This approach is helping to dismantle stigma and open new markets for disability-led creative enterprises.
The business projects a 40% increase in its workforce over the next three years, with a deliberate focus on disability and gender inclusion. Additionally, Signs Media expects to expand internship opportunities for people with disabilities, creating vital pathways into Kenya’s vibrant creative sector.
Challenging Stigma and Changing Perceptions
Signs Media’s content targets not only PWDs but their families, friends, and the broader community, fostering inclusion and positive role models. “Disability does not exist in isolation,” Luke emphasizes. “We want to eliminate stigma. We want people to see that PWDs are part of the wider community, with talents, ambitions, and the right to participate fully in society.” The organisation anticipates that this positive role modeling will encourage increased school enrollment among children with disabilities.
Furthermore, they’ve built a model where inclusion is non-negotiable. Businesses who want to work with Signs Media must have some reflection of the diversity of the world. This could be through the cast, crew, products and the stories being told. “Inclusion isn’t about being nice. It’s about innovation,” Luke says. “Elevators, touching screens, self-driving cars… all these came from solving for afor disability.” Signs Media expects its work to contribute to a significant transformation in Kenya’s corporate culture, with the landscape of disability inclusion improving tremendously in the coming years.
For Signs Media HEVA’s Ota Growth loan is more than a capital resource. It is also a catalyst for systemic change.
Next, Signs Media is preparing for regional expansion, launching its Sign Language app in 17 African countries proving that the creative economy, when financed intentionally, can scale systems of inclusion.
About Ota Growth Loans
The Ota Growth loan facility by HEVA Fund remains open to creative businesses that meet the eligibility criteria. Eligible enterprises can apply for loans up to KES 20 million at a competitive interest rate of 9% per annum, with financing available for working capital, asset acquisition,trade finance and more. Beyond capital, borrowers receive comprehensive business support including financial modeling, legal, tax, HR, and cash flow management, as well as access to training and platforms to expand market reach. Creative businesses interested in applying or learning more can visit the HEVA Fund website for detailed eligibility requirements and application guidance.
