PETALING JAYA: The coming World Braille Day serves as an opportunity for society to honour the daily struggles of the blind and visually impaired, and calls have been made for more to be done for them.
National Council for the Blind Malaysia (NCBM) executive director Wong Yong Loong said there is a need for more Braille-based books in the local education system and in public services.
“While the supply of Braille textbooks in schools are sufficient, Braille reference books are not as widely available, which also include books on leisure or general knowledge for students.
“There is also a lack of Braille material given to blind attendees of government meetings and events.
“Public amenities such as toilets and numbered train platforms also lack Braille descriptions so the blind can’t tell which toilet or train platforms they should head to,” he said.
On the use of artificial intelligence (AI), Wong said such technology is already being developed to help guide the blind when they are out and about.
He suggested that the government consider electronic Braille notetakers, robot dogs or applications like the Danish mobile application Be My Eyes.
He said most of these technologies are currently foreign-made and too expensive, but said local players could be incentivised to develop versions to make them affordable.
Special Select Committee on Social and Community Affairs member Senator Isaiah Jacob said such initiatives need to be properly publicised to be effective.
“From my discussions with the Digital Ministry two weeks ago, they said more AI and technology training programmes are scheduled for the disabled, including the blind, this year.”
Independent blind disabled rights advocate P. Kaveinthran said the push to improve educational and training accessibility for the blind will provide more opportunities for them to become independent and contribute to the country.
“Centring access to information as a fundamental right of the blind needs further realisation and effort. This will open more employment and education opportunities for the blind and increase equality in our society.
“By allowing blind people to participate meaningfully in technological development, the nation will be better equipped in making products and services accessible to everyone,” he said.
National Family Support Group for Children & People with Special Needs founding member Alvin Teoh called for audible pedestrian signals to be installed at traffic lights.
“Most pedestrian signals don’t have audible signals when they turn green and the blind are usually at the mercy of those around them for guidance to help them cross the road.
“Combined with making AI wearable devices and applications more accessible, this can help blind people be more aware of their surroundings when crossing streets,” he said.
In 2022, Malaysia signed the Marrakesh Treaty, which enables blind people and print-disabled individuals to have equitable access to information.
