Braille books for the blind : Kuala Lumpur , Malaysia

In Malaysia, the choice of books for the blind are limited only to text books and often only available at educational institutions. 

 

Mohd Yusof Abdullah reads his Braille book as (from left, standing) Datin Paduka Zaitoon Othman, Datuk Sheikh Shah Walludin Sheikh Mohd Yusof and Jaafar Md Isa listen intently. 

With the help of RM1.06 million from Yayasan Sime Darby (YSD), the Society for the Advancement of the Blind (PPOBM) will now be able to produce more Braille reading materials.

The three-year sponsorship will enable PPOBM to purchase 10 additional embosser machines and software such as a screen reader and a scanner with optical Braille recognition and translator.

It will also cover other publication costs including the editor's and proof reader's salary and any other materials. These will increase work efficiency and productivity.

With YSD's support, PPOBM will produce 800 books from four titles this year and 1,200 books from six titles in 2014.

It will reproduce the Quran in Braille in 2015 in collaboration with the Ministry of Home Affairs, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia and the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim).

PPOBM president Jaafar Md Isa said the organisation had plans to publish other types of books, but the demand for educational books was very high among the blind.

"Our organisation is a multiracial community with various different religions, therefore, our books are not just focused on one religion," said Jaafar.

 

Other agencies that have contributed towards this project are the Welfare Department of Malaysia (JKM), the Institute of Islamic Understanding Malaysia (Ikim) and the Institute of Language and Literature (DBP).

YSD governing council member Datin Paduka Zaitoon Othman commended PPOBM on its initiative as currently no other organisation was focused on increasing the number of books written in Braille due to the costs involved.

"Knowledge is an important component in the development of a person as it helps us to become better people. Through this sponsorship, we want to empower the visually impaired and build their confidence through books which will motivate them despite their limitations," she said.

Also present were representatives from the JKM, Ikim, DBP and Ministry of Home Affairs. 

Source : New Strait Times , 3rd June 2013