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Efforts and initiatives marking the day demonstrate the country’s commitment to creating a culture of acceptance, empowerment and education for all
Every year since 2019, 4 January has been observed as World Braille Day to raise awareness of the importance of Braille as a means of communication for the full realization of the human rights of blind and partially sighted people. The day also happens to be the birthday of Louis Braille, the inventor of Braille. “Access to communication is access to knowledge in the broadest sense, and it is vital for us if we are not to continue to be looked down upon or patronized by condescending sighted people,” he has said. In the UAE, the leader , experts and people committed to supporting the vision of building inclusive spaces and empowering all. We take a look at a number of efforts and initiatives the country has undertaken to mark World Braille Day.
More than 2,000 Braille books
Mohammed bin Rashid Library (MBRL) is committed to integrating people of determination into the public realm and empowering them by providing them with a unique collection of books and resources as they (the visually impaired) form an integral part , they can read and listen to these books and resources as part of the community. The Library’s People of Determination Information Center is an initiative dedicated to supporting and empowering the blind and visually impaired. The center offers more than 2,000 books in Arabic and English Braille covering literary, historical and intellectual topics and reference materials. The Children’s Library houses a collection of meaningful stories gifted to MBRL by the Los Angeles Braille Institute, the Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation and Dar Ibsar in Jordan. In addition, MBRL strives to integrate and empower people of determination by adapting its buildings and facilities to Dubai Universal Design Code. These efforts include providing Braille signage on public facilities, audio and visual alarm systems, toilet alarms and evacuation chairs on all floors of the building, among others. They also provide a variety of support equipment to facilitate the intellectual journey, including magnifying glasses, reading devices and Braille printers. MBRL has also incorporated Braille language into the catalog cards in its Information Center and Children’s Library, enabling the visually impaired to perceive the Braille dots and identify the topics of the books on the shelves. They are passionate about conducting workshops to improve employees’ ability to communicate with people of determination as part of a long-term strategy to empower employees and develop their skills.
Among its valuable collections, the Mohammed bin Rashid Library includes several volumes in Arabic Braille written by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai Books such as Flashes of Thought and Hope Quest .
everyone has the right to education
Sharjah-based non-profit Kalimat Foundation, in partnership with House of Wisdom and Emirates Schools Establishment, celebrated the festival and hosted 25 children for reading sessions (with Samya Ayish, who read Falfoosh Lost His Memory) and workshops classes (designed to exemplify the importance of Braille and its role in giving children an accessible source of knowledge) and distribute accessible books to participants. “Braille brings hope to the blind and visually impaired, enabling them to access and take full advantage of education and cultural exchange,” said Amna Al Mazmi, manager of the Kalimat Foundation (KF). Amna also highlighted the importance of collaboration between governments, civil society organizations, and the public and private sectors to produce accessible books in all fields and ensure the right to education for everyone. Children learned about different reading and writing methods and techniques, as well as the basics of Braille characters. Amma highlighted the role of Braille in helping visually impaired children feel connected to their communities and cultures. She emphasized that the consequences of not having access to books in accessible formats will be a huge gap in their lives that can only be bridged through culture, education and the concept of learning and sharing through these books. Since its inception, Kalimat has worked to improve the lives of blind and visually impaired children through its “Ara” (I understand) initiative, which supports the production of accessible content in a variety of formats.
The celebration calls for increased production and distribution of accessible books, outreach events, readings and workshops, and new methods and techniques for producing books in different accessible formats.
3D Art Incorporated into Braille
Mashal K, a visually impaired second grader at GEMS International School – Al Khail, created a 3D artwork that incorporates Braille to help the visually impaired appreciate the sense of touch. Mashal has been exploring Vincent van Gogh’s Sunflowers collection and understands the dynamics of acrylic paint for some time now. Mashal is assisted by her Learning Support Assistant, who has worked tirelessly to learn Braille so she can better support Mashal by helping her use her tactile and fine motor skills to produce stunning 3D artwork. She learned to use a special paintbrush that allows for a firmer grip, and all her tools and paints are also marked in Braille so she can function in her work. Her paintings are now on display at the GEMS Education corporate offices for all to admire and inspire. Interestingly, Van Gogh’s paintings of sunflowers had special meaning to him because they conveyed “a sense of gratitude” and he hung the first two in the room of his friend the painter Paul Gauguin, who had Lived with him for a while at the Yellow House.
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