SHPIK marked an important moment on Thursday, May 18, holding the first conference for Global Accessibility Day. At this conference, a study was presented by SHPIK, (the first in our country) for the Accessibility Barometer of Public Institutions. This study was done in collaboration with the Association of the Blind of Kosovo.

The conference focused on Global Accessibility Day and presented the results of the accessibility barometer, where 66 websites of Kosovo’s public institutions were evaluated.

   

Accessibility on websites is essential to ensure that all individuals, including those with disabilities, have access to information and services provided by public institutions.

Kosovo ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2012, which requires states to promote the full inclusion of individuals with disabilities in society. As such, it is essential that public institutions provide accessible websites to meet the needs of all users.

This accessibility barometer evaluated the websites of public institutions regarding the fulfillment of international standards, such as:

  • Web Accessibility Directive (2016/2102/EU),
  • European Accessibility Act (EAA) dhe
  • United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).

Meeting these standards is essential for people with disabilities, and in particular blind people.

To provide with a comprehensive understanding of the results, we have presented the detailed accessibility barometer report to participants such as: project donors (ADA), the Office for Good Governance, the Ombudsman, representatives from blind associations from the municipalities of Kosovo, the institutions of the studied websites, the media of Kosovo, etc.

Of the 66 websites that were studied, only 7 achieved the desired results in terms of accessibility. The websites that achieved the desired results are: Ministry of Internal Affairs, Regional Water Company, Albanological Institute-Pristina, Tax Administration, Shpik, E-Kosova, and Ministry of Regional Development to which SHPIK awarded certificates of appreciation.