OPPORTUNITIES FOR CREATING AN INCLUSIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR INFORMATION CONSUMPTION BY PEOPLE WITH VISUAL IMPAIRMENTS IN MODERN UZBEK MEDIA

Abstract

This article investigates the current state and potential development of an inclusive media environment for persons with disabilities in Uzbekistan, focusing specifically on audiences with visual impairments. Drawing on a questionnaire-based empirical study, the research critically examines both the accessibility of media content and the extent to which the Uzbek media system accommodates the informational needs of visually impaired individuals. The study situates the issue within broader discussions on media accessibility, digital inclusion, and social participation, emphasizing the interplay between technological adaptation and sociocultural representation. Particular attention is devoted to analyzing the mechanisms and institutional conditions that shape access to information, including available formats, tools, and technologies such as audio materials, speech synthesizers, and typhlocommentary. The research also identifies persistent systemic barriers — infrastructural, technological, and attitudinal — that limit the full participation of visually impaired audiences in the media sphere. In addition to structural analysis, the article explores the media portrayal of people with visual impairments in Uzbekistan, assessing the thematic scope, narrative strategies, and discursive tendencies observable in mainstream and specialized outlets. The study evaluates the extent to which inclusive narratives are integrated into journalistic practice, the diversity of content forms addressing disability-related issues, and the involvement of experts and practitioners with visual impairments in content creation and policy discussions. The findings reveal that, despite growing recognition of the importance of inclusion, the Uzbek media ecosystem remains only partially adapted to the needs of visually impaired users.