The Kurdistan Foundation, under the visionary leadership of His Excellency Areen Barzani, proudly announced the launch of the “Innovation for Hope” project during a special ceremony held at Rotana Hotel in Erbil on 25 October 2025. The event marked a historic step toward promoting digital accessibility and inclusion for people with disabilities across the Kurdistan Region.
The initiative introduces the first Kurdish-language Text-to-Speech (KTTS) software, developed by Dr. Hawraz Auni, designed to assist individuals who are blind or have severe vision loss in navigating digital platforms, reading books, and accessing Kurdish online content. This pioneering technology is expected to directly benefit more than 10,000 visually impaired citizens, offering them greater opportunities for education, communication, and social participation.
The event was attended by over one hundred blind individuals, along with representatives from civil society organizations, youth groups, and accessibility advocates. The ceremony featured welcoming remarks and speeches from Dr. Yara Barzanji, Director of Programs and Partnerships at Kurdistan Foundation; Dr. Hawraz Auni, the software developer; and Mr. Luqman Shawkat, Head of the Roshna Center for the Blind. The program also included a musical performance and concluded with the distribution of 100 laptops to blind beneficiaries, symbolizing empowerment through technology and education.
In her address, Dr. Yara Barzanji emphasized the Foundation’s ongoing commitment to equality, inclusion, and innovation: “Through projects like Innovation for Hope, we aim to ensure that no one is left behind in the digital era. And our country will only develop when all are stepping forward collectively, when all community are part of continues advancement.”
The Innovation for Hope project is part of the Foundation’s broader mission to create a more inclusive society where innovation meets humanity. Guided by the vision of H.E. Areen Barzani, the Kurdistan Foundation continues to translate creative ideas into tangible change, fostering a future where every individual can contribute to building a stronger, more equitable Kurdistan.
