Digital accessibility across Kuwait’s software development landscape

When designing and developing digital services it is important to consider equity and inclusion. However, in practice adopting and sustaining the development of accessible digital solutions has always been challenging, more so in countries that are relatively new to the concept of universal design, and physical and digital accessibility, and where legal sanctions are not yet established. This work investigates the software development scene in the State of Kuwait and analyses the responses of computing professionals regarding their skills, best practices, and procurement of accessible tech, and to their level of awareness towards people with disabilities. The findings reveal a low level of awareness of disability and digital accessibility amongst tech professionals. They also highlight a lack of available guidance, time management, training, legal enforcement, and coverage of fundamental concepts in higher education.