Significance of braille literacy highlighted
This picture taken on June 7, 2017 shows a visually impaired Malaysian Islamic studies student reading and memorising the Quran from a Braille copy of the holy book at the Darul Quran academic institution in Kuala Kubu Bharu. PHOTO: AFP
The Pakistan Association of Visually Impaired Persons on ‘World Braille Day’, which was marked on Thursday, stressed the importance of raising public awareness about the importance of braille literacy and urged investors to invest in technology that incorporates braille for increased inclusivity.
A representative from the association, Khalid Mahmood Bajwa, said that the theme of the day for 2024 is ‘Empowering Through Inclusion and Diversity’. He said that special persons needed special attention and that steps should be taken to improve their living standards. This is the reason commemorating World Braille Day and spreading awareness about the importance of the language is needed.
“Pakistan takes an active part in the World Braille Day designated by the UN every year, to encourage the visually impaired to read, write, and contribute effectively to their societies,” he said. “Braille is a tactile representation of alphabetic and numerical symbols using six dots to represent each letter and number, as well as musical, mathematical and scientific symbols.”
He further implored that the blind community receive full support from the state since equal rights and fair treatment is essential for the prosperity of society. A point regarding the need for braille educational facilities was also raised.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 5th, 2024.