Call for Reseacher: Accessibility for Government of Kenya websites for Person’s with Disabilities

KICTANET is currently seeking applications for independent researchers to
audit the accessibility of public service websites in Kenya for Persons
with Disabilities (PWDs). This research project is part of KICTANET’s
Digital Access Program that seeks to promote the accessibility of digital
technologies and platforms for Persons with Disability. The researcher will
work closely with Accessibility fellows throughout the research project.

Background

According to the 2019 Kenya National Census, about 1 million Kenyans have
some form of disability. Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) have a right to
social justice and equality but can also make immense contributions to
society if given the proper assistive tools.

However, this is different. The challenges PWDs face in accessing
information and services in the digital space became more pronounced during
the COVID-19 Pandemic when multiple essential services from the government
and the private sector were moved online for continuity. Information and
services remained inaccessible to people with disabilities, especially
those with visual, hearing, intellectual and physical disabilities. What
seemed to be an effective response to the COVID-19 Pandemic had a
completely opposite impact on Persons with disabilities.

It is against this backdrop, KICTANET is conducting research on the
‘Accessibility of the government of Kenya websites for persons with
disability.’ This initial research will focus on visual, hearing, and
cognitive disabilities.

Application process;

Eligibility:

The potential researcher must have experience in at least one of the
following fields: public policy, governance, and human rights

Must be proficient in both written and spoken English

Must be Kenyan, living in Kenya at the time of the application and research
process

Academic qualification; web developer with proven skills in accessibility
(please share links to accessible websites that you have worked on)

Active membership to the KICTANet mailing list is a plus, but not a must.

The application must include the following;

Feasibility of the research in terms of timeline, etc

List of tools to be used and collaborators, if any

Links to any research that one has done or participated in

At least two references

*Application Deadline is 25th January 2023,11:59 pm EAT*

Send your proposal to jokite(at)kictanet.or.ke with the subject:
‘Accessibility research proposal.’ In case of any questions regarding this
call, please send them to the same address.

Only qualified applicants will be invited for interviews.

Kind regards,
Kind Regards,