Hearing the voices of different social groups is a crucial aspect of any democratic society. Creating a favorable social and political environment for diversity enables the engagement and mobilization of people in support of human rights, particularly the rights of stigmatized communities.

In the context of Kosovo, however, many social groups still continue to be underrepresented and remain invisible in public and media spaces.

One of these groups is the community of people with disabilities, particularly the blind and partially sighted people of Kosovo. Their access to information remains one of the main challenges, given the significant lack of materials in Braille, which enables blind people to read through touch. Audio materials, which would help them make sense of the reality in which they live, are also rare.

Although some institutions have begun to contract services for printing public materials in Braille, these remain symbolic exceptions rather than everyday practice. As a recent report by the Global Disability Fund on the situation of persons with disabilities in Kosovo shows, access to information and communication for blind and visually impaired persons remains limited. Most public materials, announcements and institutional brochures are still not produced in accessible formats, leaving blind persons outside the flow of public information and increasingly frequented digital space. Most public institution websites do not meet international standards for equal access, making them difficult for people who are blind to use.

Furthermore, even in the field of audiovisual broadcasting, translation into sign language remains rare, while the number of licensed translators is low, further limiting access to information on an equal basis. This clearly shows that the problem is not only the lack of infrastructure that meets accessibility requirements, but also the lack of prioritization of equal access at the central level. This gap leaves blind people without systematic support to access public information in formats suited to their abilities, reinforcing the institutional marginalization of this community, which continues to remain invisible — not only to the public eye, but also within state information mechanisms.

Information links provided by civil society

In Kosovo, it is often civil society organizations that advocate for or demand accountability in the realization of the rights of persons who are blind or visually impaired. Although few in number, these organizations enable people who are blind or visually impaired to connect with the world.

One of them is the Kosovo Association of the Blind (KAB), which has been committed to protecting and representing blind persons — regardless of age, gender, ethnicity or religion — since 2003.

In 2010, KAB began publishing the magazine “Syri Ynë”, an informative publication for members of the association and the wider community. That same year, with financial support from the then-government of Kosovo, five issues of the magazine were published — an initiative considered a historic achievement, as it marked the first time a magazine was published in Braille in the Republic of Kosovo.

Until 2021, the publication of this magazine was supported by various donors; however, this support has not ensured its sustainable publication.

This changed in 2023, when KAB received support as a beneficiary of the Kosovo 2.0 call “Diversification of Voices in Journalism”, with the support of the European Union. Within this framework, six issues of the magazine were published periodically, using the Braille alphabet, enabling access to information for the blind and visually impaired community in Kosovo.

“We consider this [magazine] to be an additional contribution for those interested in reading and informing themselves in general, which is especially welcome at a time when printed materials in Braille are scarce in Kosovo,” states the introductory note of the magazine’s Editorial Board in its 17th issue.

In its already published issues, the magazine’s content covers a wide range of topics, from current events to the success stories of blind people and the daily life of the community. One of its key pillars remains its legal guide, as the magazine also provides information on legislation and the rights of people with visual impairment in Kosovo, addressing these issues with priority and sensitivity.

The magazine reaches readers through a language guided by fingers — as a form of informational literature that is not read by the eye, but through other senses. It is physically distributed by members of the association, reaching its users hand-to-hand.

Each issue is also accompanied by a second voice, published on the official website and the Association’s social networks, as audio for those who prefer to be informed through digital devices. This audio option expands access to the magazine’s content and enriches its narrative space. Most importantly, the audio format makes the magazine more accessible to those who lack advanced knowledge of Braille.

For blind people in Kosovo, this magazine serves as a communication bridge, through which they can stay informed about the latest news, become familiar with societal developments and participate in public debates. In addition to reading, the magazine also fosters direct dialogue with its readers, who often contact the editorial office for clarification or to request additional information on topics of interest. This direct interaction is an important element that makes the magazine a vibrant space for communication.

Therefore, the financial support provided through this call goes beyond a mere economic contribution. It represents a human investment in the protection of the dignity and rights of the blind and visually impaired community in Kosovo. In this way, the program for diversifying voices in journalism has reinforced the idea that journalism is not only meant to be read by the majority but should be accessible to all, including those who face particular barriers.

Feature image: K2.0

Journalism should be accessible to all

“Syri Ynë” magazine, a communication bridge for blind people in Kosovo.

Melihate Pllana

Journalism should be accessible to all

“Syri Ynë” magazine, a communication bridge for blind people in Kosovo.

Melihate Pllana