Zain Strengthens Presence of Kuwaiti Sign Language in Partnership with Deaf Club

Zain Kuwait has announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding with the Kuwait Sports Club for the Deaf, coinciding with the International Day of Sign Languages and the International Week of the Deaf, to open a new chapter in its journey toward enhancing inclusion, accessibility, and effective communication with persons with disabilities in Kuwait. The memorandum was signed at Zain’s headquarters in Shuwaikh in the presence of Waleed Al-Kheshni, Chief Executive Officer for Relations and Corporate Affairs, and Khaled Al-Mutairi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Kuwait Sports Club for the Deaf. This partnership establishes a broad framework for cooperation in the areas of accessibility, training, awareness, digital services, community engagement, youth initiatives, and professional development for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community in Kuwait.

This agreement reflects Zain’s approach to translating inclusion principles into tangible experiences that facilitate communication, expand access to services, and empower persons with disabilities to participate independently. This step falls under Zain Group’s WE ABLE 2030 vision and its corporate sustainability strategy, which aims to embed inclusion and accessibility for persons with disabilities across all aspects of the company’s operations, in alignment with its purpose-driven strategy.

Commenting on the partnership, Waleed Al-Kheshni said: “Sign language goes beyond being merely a means of communication; it signifies independence, confidence, participation, and the ability to connect with the world around us. This partnership allows us to listen more closely to the deaf and hard-of-hearing community and work together to remove barriers from experiences that matter to them.”

Al-Kheshni added: “At Zain, we believe that inclusion gains its true meaning when it is part of how we serve our customers, develop our employees, design our digital experiences, and engage with our community. These objectives are guided by our corporate purpose to deliver ‘constant connection, a better life,’ making this connection accessible to all. Through our collaboration with the Kuwait Sports Club for the Deaf, we aim to translate this commitment into practical solutions that enhance independence, expand opportunities, and foster participation.”

Khaled Al-Mutairi commented on the partnership: “Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals possess capabilities, expertise, and qualifications that enable them to contribute effectively to society and the labor market. Therefore, we look forward to this partnership with Zain and to seeing more such purposeful collaborations with private sector institutions, which will open broader opportunities for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community to showcase their potential and achieve their aspirations.”

This partnership revolves around a wide range of initiatives designed by Zain to provide a more accessible, inclusive, and independent experience for deaf and hard-of-hearing customers. These initiatives focus on enhancing communication through Zain’s field and digital channels, facilitating access to services, raising employee awareness and confidence, and providing practical solutions that help remove communication barriers.

**Video Relay Interpretation**

In a first-of-its-kind step in the Kuwaiti telecommunications sector, Zain has launched the first phase of its Video Relay Interpretation service for deaf customers at its Avenues and The Avenues Mall branches. This service connects customers directly with certified sign language interpreters from the Kuwait Sports Club for the Deaf, who facilitate immediate communication between them and Zain staff. The service enables deaf customers to conduct branch visits independently, access services, understand offers and contracts, and make informed decisions without needing a third-party interpreter. The initiative grants deaf customers greater independence, privacy, and confidence when using Zain’s services, while providing a more accessible and inclusive experience within branches. It also reflects Zain’s ongoing efforts to remove communication barriers and ensure its services are designed to meet the needs of all customers. The service is expected to expand to other branches in the near future.

**Kuwait Sign Language Digital Library**

Zain is also launching a digital library dedicated to Kuwait Sign Language, developed to enhance access to sign language through its field and digital channels and to support communication between the deaf community and service providers. The library contains over 200 phrases distributed across five categories, covering basics such as Arabic letters, numbers, colors, days, and months, as well as daily communication, the work environment, customer service interactions, digital products and services, and troubleshooting technical issues. Designed as an open resource with benefits extending beyond Zain, the library will support company employees and customer service teams, while also assisting the broader community, including telecommunications sector workers, in enhancing their knowledge of Kuwait Sign Language. The initiative aims to enable more inclusive and accessible communication experiences for Zain’s deaf customers and the deaf community in Kuwait at large.

**Employee Training, Social Media Content, and Offers**

As part of this partnership, Zain will also launch training workshops for its employees on Kuwait Sign Language, covering staff in customer-facing roles as well as those in administrative positions, thereby enhancing confidence and awareness across the organization. In conjunction with the International Day of Sign Languages and the International Week of the Deaf, Zain will incorporate sign language into all video content published on its official social media platforms from September 20 to 24, thereby expanding the reach of accessible communication through its digital channels.

The partnership will also provide tailored benefits for the Kuwait Sports Club for the Deaf community. Zain will offer special promotions to more than 370 club members, announced via sign language on the Zain app and social media platforms, including a free one-month offer for eligible Zain customers. The company also plans to host an event at the club’s headquarters to introduce members to the available offers and services. Additionally, Zain has provided 5G Advanced internet connectivity at the club’s headquarters, serving hundreds of members who visit the facility daily and enabling them to benefit from advanced digital connectivity services via Kuwait’s most awarded network.

The memorandum of understanding provides a continuous platform for exchanging expertise and ideas between both parties, contributing to the development of digital services, communication channels, and experiences for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community. It also opens avenues for cooperation in developing awareness and educational content, community initiatives, youth programs, and pathways for empowerment, rehabilitation, and professional development. Continuous dialogue with deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals themselves will be a central focus of this partnership, aiming to deepen the understanding of their needs and ensure that future initiatives respond to their actual experiences and priorities.

This new partnership extends Zain’s growing series of initiatives aimed at enhancing the inclusion of persons with disabilities in areas such as employment, customer experience, technology, and community engagement. Through its WE ABLE 2030 vision for disability inclusion and its corporate sustainability strategy, the company continues to expand its efforts in professional development, inclusive design, customer service, innovation, and building strategic partnerships with government entities, academic institutions, and civil society organizations.

Alongside its initiatives in inclusive employment, accessible technology, customer experience, and now Kuwait Sign Language, this partnership reflects Zain’s ongoing commitment to adopting a structured and measurable approach to enhancing the inclusion of persons with disabilities. It also underscores the company’s ambition to continue its leading role, remove barriers across its ecosystem, and contribute to building a more accessible and inclusive Kuwait that offers everyone opportunities for communication, participation, and prosperity.