Kuwait Enhances Digital Accessibility for People with Disabilities
▼ Summary
– Kuwait’s PADA and W3C GCC Chapter signed an MoU to update the National Framework for Digital Access for better disability inclusion, coordinated with CAIT.
– The updated framework will make applications and online services more accessible for people with disabilities, aligning with Kuwait Vision 2035’s digital transformation goals.
– Training programs and workshops will be conducted for government entities in collaboration with CAIT to promote adoption of the updated framework.
– The plan includes standardizing website and app accessibility and training government and private-sector staff, aiming for full compliance of major public digital services by 2026.
– CAIT is coordinating with government bodies to integrate the updated framework within the 2026–2027 budget and ensure equitable digital access for all citizens.
Kuwait is taking decisive steps to ensure its digital landscape becomes more inclusive for individuals with disabilities through a landmark partnership. The Public Authority for Disabled Affairs (PADA) has joined forces with the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) GCC Chapter to modernize the National Framework for Digital Access. This initiative, coordinated with the Central Agency for Information Technology (CAIT), aims to overhaul digital services and applications so they are fully usable by everyone, regardless of ability.
Engineer Amna Safar, a Chief Specialist at PADA, explained that the framework, first introduced in 2018, will be comprehensively updated. These enhancements are designed to remove barriers that prevent people with disabilities from navigating online platforms independently. The modernization effort directly supports the broader objectives of Kuwait Vision 2035, which prioritizes nationwide digital transformation and social inclusion.
To ensure successful adoption, new training programs and workshops will be rolled out for government employees. These sessions, developed in partnership with CAIT, will provide the necessary skills to implement the new accessibility standards across all public digital services.
Mohammad Ashkanani, CEO of the W3C GCC Chapter, emphasized that the agreement is a critical move toward empowering people with disabilities. He confirmed that the plan involves standardizing the accessibility of websites and mobile applications, with mandatory training extending to both government and private sector personnel. A key target is achieving full compliance for all major public digital services, including the widely used Sahel government services app, by the year 2026.
Wafaa Al-Otaibi, CAIT’s Chief Specialist for Digital Services, reaffirmed the agency’s dedication to this national priority. She noted that CAIT has already started working with various government bodies to incorporate the updated framework into the 2026–2027 budget cycle, ensuring that financial planning aligns with implementation timelines. CAIT remains committed to collaborating with all partners to keep the framework adaptable and responsive, guaranteeing fair and equal digital access for every member of society.
(Source: MEA Tech Watch)
