Skopje, 27 April 2023 (MIA) – Ministry of Information Society and Administration in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the National Association of People with Visual Impairment launched Thursday text-to-speech app for iOS users named Kiko for Macedonian and Hana for Albanian language, designed as a tool for the visually impaired.

The National Association of People with Visual Impairment Secretary, Gligor Samardziski said that Kiko and Hana have become a part of the everyday life of all people with visual impairments in our country over the past three years with over 2,000 users.

“The benefit of these voices will not apply only to visually impaired people. The potential of these voices is still great and by adapting them to work on iPhone and iPad, new possibilities for these voices are opened up,” Samardziski said.

The Minister of Information Society and Administration, Azir Aliu, pointed out that the hiring of a sign language interpreter in the Ministry of Information Society and Administration is already in the process. He pointed out that they are working to ensure that the websites of the institutions meet European standards to which persons with disabilities will have access.

“We, as the Ministry of Information Society and Administration, are part of the process of creating a Strategy for Digitization of Society and a working group is already working on creating a digital eco-system in which all citizens of our country will feel as comfortable and easy to access the systems, the processes that we offer as an institution,” Aliu said.

UNDP Resident Representative Armen Grigoryan expressed his satisfaction that this application has already been downloaded and pointed out that this is a good proof that this is something that is needed and will have a positive impact on the lives of people with disabilities.

“We have to move forward. One of the principles of UNDP is to leave no one behind and ensure inclusive solutions for all parts of society,” Grigoryan said.

Photo: print screen from video