KUWAIT: For people with disabilities in Kuwait, something as ordinary as crossing a street, boarding a bus, or entering a building can turn into a daily struggle, a reality the Kuwait Society for the Handicapped says must change urgently. Although Kuwait introduced its universal design code for accessibility in 2018, a comprehensive framework aimed at making all buildings and public spaces accessible, the society said that the code remains largely unimplemented. “The code must be enforced, at the very least, in public and government facilities such as schools, hospitals and airports,” said Baraa Abdulaziz Al-Jena’e, general manager of the Kuwait Society for the Handicapped.
Obstacles persist everywhere: missing or poorly designed ramps, high sidewalks, elevators that cannot accommodate wheelchairs and unsafe pedestrian crossings. Public transportation alone is critical area in need of reform. Buses, for example, Al-Jena’e noted, should be equipped to accommodate wheelchair users and include audio and visual signals to assist passengers with hearing or visual impairments. These gaps highlight exactly why Kuwait’s accessibility code is so crucial. The code is highly detailed, specifying everything from the slope of ramps to the dimensions of accessible bathrooms. “In some cases, poorly constructed ramps can even be risky for people without disabilities,” he warned.
A member uses assistive technology at the Kuwait society for the handicapped.
A member wearing a hearing aid focuses on his canvas during a painting session in the society.
A young reader dressed as Spider-Man
Helpers from Kuwait society for the handicapped pushes the wheelchair of one of the disabled members
Helpers from Kuwait society for the handicapped pushes the wheelchair of one of the disabled members.
Limited opportunities
It is these barriers – not disabilities themselves – that limit people’s opportunities. As a result, fewer jobs, sports activities and social outings are accessible to them. Ahmed Abu Elseoud, 34, who has spina bifida, told Kuwait Times in a previous interview that such barriers delayed his entry into the workforce. “I was surprised to find that most of the places I applied to lacked properly designed parking spaces and ramps for wheelchairs,” he said. “We need to recognize that people with disabilities are not a burden on society. They can learn, work and thrive, but only if we remove the barriers that surround them.”
He also expressed frustration at the widespread disregard for accessibility laws, such as illegal parking in designated spaces for people with disabilities and emphasized the importance of educating the public about inclusion from an early age. Kuwait’s inclusion challenge, Al-Jena’e said, is rooted not only in infrastructure but also in longstanding societal attitudes that slow progress. “There is a persistent discrimination against people with disabilities,” said Baraa Abdelaziz Al-Jena’e of the Kuwait Society for the Handicapped, “stemming from the lack of their inclusion in society from the start.”
Social stigma
“We often treat accessibility as something that affects only a small minority,” he added. “In reality, it could affect any of us. At any moment, an accident, illness, or aging could make any one of us dependent on accessible facilities.” Al-Jena’e noted that exclusion often begins within families themselves. Many people with disabilities in Kuwait remain unseen, sometimes hidden by relatives who fear social stigma.
This lack of accessibility also contributes to another societal challenge: growing dependence on domestic helpers to care for children with disabilities. While common, this reliance can limit children’s opportunities to develop self-reliance and inadvertently shift attention away from the primary goal – fostering independence. The issue is further compounded when domestic workers, due to limited training or experience, are unable to fully meet the specific needs of these children.
Such gaps in daily life mirror broader shortcomings at the institutional level. Even government officials have acknowledged the issue. Fahad Al-Abduljader, a member of the municipal council, noted that although the accessibility code was formally approved by the municipality in December 2024, enforcement remains weak. “Building licenses are often issued without ensuring compliance, and while follow-up committees do exist, coordination between government agencies remains inconsistent, resulting in uneven implementation on the ground,” he said.
Enforcing penalties
The municipality recently proposed legislation to enforce stricter penalties for violations of disabled parking regulations and to introduce measures that would make government services more accessible. Asmaa Husainiya, a physical therapy specialist at the society, said much of the progress seen in Kuwait so far has come from individual or voluntary efforts by private institutions, rather than through a nationwide mandate. Some newer commercial complexes have begun to integrate accessibility standards from the design stage, she explained, but these remain exceptions rather than the rule. “We hope to reach a stage where accessibility standards become a universal commitment, whether through institutional responsibility or legal enforcement,” Husainiya added.
Building on that concern, Al-Jena’e pointed out that one of the biggest challenges lies in Kuwait’s older infrastructure. Many existing buildings were never designed with accessibility in mind, and full renovations often prove prohibitively expensive. However, as Al-Abduljader noted, even newly constructed facilities are not entirely free from violations. Citing Shafi Al-Hajri, president of the Kuwait club for athletes with disabilities, he said that encroachments and noncompliance continue to appear even in some modern commercial complexes, further undermining accessibility efforts.
To address these shortcomings, Al-Abduljader said that a comprehensive review of both public and private facilities has been approved to identify noncompliant structures. This initiative is part of a broader plan to renovate them according to UDAC standards. It also includes gradual upgrades of older buildings and the drafting of a new law aimed at reinforcing the rights of persons with disabilities. He added that collaboration is underway with the Supreme planning authority and the public authority for disability affairs under Kuwait Vision 2035, with the goal of promoting inclusivity across all sectors, from physical spaces to digital infrastructure.
For Al-Jena’e, genuine progress begins with listening to the disabled people themselves, who are directly affected. “Those who experience the challenges firsthand are best positioned to explain the problems and propose solutions,” he said, calling for regular dialogue sessions and surveys to guide effective implementation. He also underscored the importance of awareness programs about people with disabilities, for drivers, passengers and the wider community, to build a culture of inclusion where everyone feels part of one integrated system.
Inspiring models
Encouragingly, there are already positive examples in Kuwait that demonstrate what accessibility can look like when properly implemented. The society’s own building, for instance, was planned entirely in accordance with the accessibility code, with guidance from specialized consultants. It even takes into account hidden disabilities, such as color blindness, which Al-Jena’e emphasized must also be addressed.
Al-Jena’e and Al-Abduljader pointed to major commercial destinations such as The Avenues mall and 360 Mall have integrated accessibility into every stage of their design. These spaces feature wide corridors, clearly marked safety measures, designated parking areas, and assistance services such as mobility scooters and porters to help visitors move around with ease. They also referred to Al-Shaheed Park as a standout example of thoughtful urban design, offering separate paths for pedestrians and cyclists, as well as flexible walking tracks that reduce pressure on the knees. The Scientific Center too have started consulting disability associations before expanding their facilities, a promising step toward genuine collaboration with the people these changes are meant to serve.
