Dinner was served and participants entered the hall. But, the moment they were accommodated, the lights were turned off.

This was the way the organisation “You Can Do”, a member of the Kosova Women’s Network (KWN), chose to mark December 3, International Day of Persons with Disabilities. The event, called “Dark Dinner,” intended to encourage participants to empathise with the blind persons’ community.

Betim Bregovina, part of this community, said that this event is just an improvisation of the difficulties they face every day.

“The dark dinner is an improvisation, due to the lack of our engagement here as staff, and we are mainly blind people of this organisation. Organising this event qualitatively would have the blind persons themselves prepare, serve, and accompany the guests. In other countries around the world, blind persons have their own restaurants where they are accommodated”, he said.

Present at this event was the Minister of Industry, Entrepreneurship and Trade, Rozeta Hajdari, who said that the Government of the Republic of Kosovo is very committed to the principle of inclusion.

“On this principle, we have already declared 2022 the year of people with disabilities. I know you have a lot of challenges and a lot of work to do, but with you who know best your needs and requirements, we want to have a thorough record of the accountability and policies we will draft. As for the law on the employment of a person with disabilities in every 50 employees, it must be implemented and reviewed with your proposals“, said the minister.

University professor, Fadil Maloku, said that more needs to be done to integrate blind persons into society.

“I am glad that you have taken this initiative which the Government and NGOs outside and inside Kosova should use to remove potential prejudices and stereotypes. This community has a lot to offer, due to their professional competence. Indeed, they may be deprived of an ability, but there is no doubt that they have another gift”, he said.

In the subsequent discussion, persons from this community called for tangible activities of their integration into society, and more state support to have the opportunity to live independently.

You Can Do’s mission is to create an inclusive society with equal opportunities in which people with disabilities use their full potential with dignity. This organisation recently became a member of KWN, thus joining 182 other organizations which together, with the support of KWN, work for a better society in all areas.