Reflections

This publication explores the journey of the Open Society Initiative for Eastern Africa since its inception.Founded in 2005, the initiative plays an active role in encouraging open, informed dialogue about issues of public importance through innovative and collaborative processes. It supports individuals and groups to participate in matters that affect them in order to demand fair treatment, delivery of services, and accountability from their leaders and institutions. The Open Society Initiative for Eastern Africa awards grants, develops its own programs, and promotes debate on issues of public importance

Amplifying Voices: Information and Expression

In a variety of ways, information and expression remain constrained despite the expansion of the information highway. In some cases, there is heavy-handed silencing by governments through repressive laws and actions; in others, the media self-censors itself on certain sensitive or volatile issues. Persons with sensory disabilities have to function in a world with a dearth of sign language, Braille, and interpretation services to accommodate them to function fully in society.  This issue of Amplifying Voices, a publication of the Open Society Initiative for Eastern Africa, discusses the provision of information through accessible formats so that people can engage and make informed judgments on issues that have a bearing on their lives.