| Overview : A. Title of the Project: “Achieving Kuwait 2035 Vision Towards Persons with Disability Project” This assignment is implemented within the framework of the Project: “Achieving Kuwait 2035 Vision Towards Persons with Disability Project”. The project is supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Kuwait office and implemented by the Public Authority for Disabled Affairs of Kuwait. B. Background of the project Project Description The project “Achieving Kuwait 2035 Vision Towards Persons with Disability” supports PADA to enhance its human capacities and organizational effectiveness towards achieving its mandate. It supports its efforts at integration of PWDs in schools, employment, and social life in partnership with CSOs working for disabilities and supports it to ensure an inclusive physical environment for PWDs. The project will continue until December 2018. It seeks to achieve three outputs: - Output 1.1: Enhanced human capacities and institutional effectiveness for prevention, early detection, diagnosis and rehabilitation of disabilities.
- Output 1.2: Coordinated and well organized efficient efforts towards removal of barriers to social, economic and educational inclusion of persons with disability.
- Output 1.3: Increased technical expertise and organizational capacities for implementation of Universal Design and countrywide use of technology enablers.
The Public Authority for Disabled Affairs (PADA) The Public Authority for Disabled Affairs (PADA)[1] of Kuwait is responsible for all matters related to care and rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities. Its mandate includes, inter alia, setting the disability policy; setting regulations and procedures for care and rehabilitation of PWDs and developing and overseeing an integrated action plan responsible for all aspects of Persons with Disabilities’ welfare in coordination with relevant government entities. Furthermore, care and rehabilitation centers were recent, in 2016, transferred to the responsibility of PADA. PADA was established as per law no.8 for 2010[2] as a governmental entity. The law is concerned with protecting the rights of Persons with Disabilities in Kuwait and covers their inclusion in society, rehabilitation and employment in addition to care and other government services and entitlements. PADA developed a five-year strategy 2014 – 2019, which includes 15 themes and goals and provides a guiding framework for implementation and has an annual development plan. Central Agency for Information Technology (CAIT) The Central Agency for Information Technology (CAIT) is a central body under the auspices of the Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs. CAIT's main tasks are set policies, plans and implementation of IT among government agencies at the national level. In addition, CAIT develops and manages the methodologies and standards for the IT services. CAIT also responsible for the capacity building and awareness raising in the field and the technology industry in government agencies, in coordination with other stakeholders[3]. The Communication and Information Technology Regulatory Authority (CITRA)? The Communication and Information Technology Regulatory Authority (CITRA)? was established in 2014 and is responsible for overseeing the telecommunications sector, monitor and protect the interests of users and service providers and regulate the services of telecommunication networks in the country while ensuring transparency, equality of opportunity and fair competition. CITRA regulate and advise on the country’s IT sector and educate the public about the positive impact of IT on the economic and social development of the country[4]. Technology enablers and adaptive strategies: Within the different universal design topics, accessibility to Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) has a major importance. Considering the current impact of ICTs within all sectors of the community, the digital services and ICTs should be fully usable by persons with disabilities. Therefore, Section 5 of the 2010 law is concerned with societal inclusion. It stipulates in articles 18-23 the need for inclusion in 1) sports, cultural and entertainment activities by providing accessible environments for PWDs, encouraging them to participate in sports 2) Public buildings and facilities that are designed in line with Universal Design standards 3) in public transport 4) by access to news, cultural programmes and parliamentary sessions through sign language as a measure by the Ministry of Information 5) and by launching societal awareness programmes for PWDs, ensuring all curricula (educational, religious, life, sports) meets their needs and creating a positive image of PWDs in media. “Universal Design” is defined in the Kuwait law as “design of public buildings, or private buildings that have a public use, as well as products, programmes (ICT) and services in a way suitable for the use by PWDs”. Finally, the Kuwait National Development Plan and Actionable vision include Universal Design as one of the main objectives. For this assignment, PADA is focusing on accessibility in the virtual environment and thus requires the services of an Information and Communications Technology consultant to support accessibility and adaptive strategies in Kuwait. [1] http://www.pada.gov.kw [2] The law no.10 for 2010 on Disability available at http://www.pada.gov.kw:8000/MainLaw.aspx [3] https://www.cait.gov.kw [4] http://citra.gov.kw
Duty Station: Kuwait Duration of assignmnet: 12 weeks (60 working days) To apply please press following link https://jobs.undp.org/cj_view_job.cfm?cur_job_id=77050 | 
