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Description
People with visual impairments are one of the most vulnerable groups in the society. Their access to accurate and timely information about current affairs is often obstructed due to the fact that news websites are inaccessible and they cannot tell between fake and real news. The project aims at setting up an information and media portal BLINFO with information relevant for the blind and their “point of view”. The content will be prepared by the blind because they can best identify the needs of the target group. The news and articles will be presented in an appropriate and user-friendly manner. Focus will also be placed on the issues and consequences of COVID-19 as well as possible solutions. The visually impaired people live in a closed community, in isolation and face a lot of stereotypes and lack of understanding about important issues. The problem faced by the blind growingly stood out in particular during the COVID-19 pandemic. Another serious problem is the consolidation of their community. This particular group of the population is highly fragmented and much more often face a much higher level of insecurity in their daily life due to the visual impairment. The project will aim at helping consolidation and making sure that the informationally “blind” be on the same page with the society. We seek to empower the blind, encourage them to communicate, so that everyone has space where they would be likely to share. The main goal of the project is to promote not only raising awareness but also encouraging people to share more and look for solutions together.
Summary of project results
People with visual impairments are among the most vulnerable groups in society. Their access to accurate and timely information about current events is often hindered due to the inaccessibility of news websites and the difficulty in distinguishing real from fake news.
The concept of the project is to develop an information and media portal—BLINFO, which will serve as a dedicated platform for visually impaired individuals, providing both relevant information and their unique perspective on current events.
The content will be created by visually impaired individuals, as they are best positioned to identify and address the needs of their audience, ensuring that the platform is truly accessible, relevant, and impactful.
With funding from the Bulgaria Active Citizens Fund, the BLINFO information and media portal was created, covering a diverse range of topics, including Society, Health, Technology, Art, Science, Only for the Blind, Curious, Music, Sports and Tourism, Authors Speak, Inspirational Stories, and Psychology. To date, 57 articles have been uploaded.
Through the Contact section, users can provide feedback, express opinions, offer recommendations, and share comments and suggestions on published topics and articles. Many blind users prefer to give feedback over the phone or through face-to-face conversations, emphasizing the need for diverse communication channels.
Another key achievement of the project was the formation of a media team composed of blind contributors, who now write for the BLINFO portal. This initiative has engaged visually impaired individuals, helping them develop their qualifications, gain confidence, and enhance their professional skills.
The development of the BLINFO Media-Information Portal was guided by a survey conducted among both blind and sighted individuals, aimed at identifying key interests and needs. The findings directly influenced the content structure of the portal, ensuring that it remains relevant and useful to its audience.
Blinfo was launched in October 2021. The team is made up of visually impaired people who are motivated to contribute to improving the quality of life of people with visual impairments. "We create materials that can be read by both the sighted and the blind, and everyone can find something for themselves". While BLINFO primarily serves the blind community, it is also accessible to the general public, fostering awareness of the challenges faced by blind individuals and providing insights into their perspectives on overcoming these challenges.
The BLINFO team receives support from professionals at Dir.bg, NGOBG.info, BNR Hristo Botev, and other media outlets with which the foundation has long-standing collaborations.