Alvi for availability of audio Braille to facilitate visually impaired persons

Islamabad : As the world observed World Braille Day on Wednesday, President Dr Arif Alvi called for a pledge to provide important information through accessible formats, in audio and Braille, to all visually-impaired persons to make them enjoy their lives.

The president, in a message, said the Day was aimed at raising public awareness about Braille as a writing system for blind and partially sighted persons.

He said the availability of important information in audio and Braille would help the visually-impaired people remain safe while navigating public places, and provide necessary information to them about diseases and disasters. He said the United Nations General Assembly declared the 4th of January as the International Day to commemorate Braille and to mark the birthday of Louis Braille, creator of this writing system which later became a prime tool for acquiring education, knowledge, and information for the visually-impaired persons around the globe.

The president also called for affirming the resolve to ensure the permeation of Braille in all of the systems to enable the visually-impaired persons to enjoy hassle-free access to healthcare, education, and employment opportunities, enjoy the freedom of expression and opinion and social inclusion, as reflected in Article 2 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities to which Pakistan was a signatory.

President Alvi said the Day also reminded the world to use Braille for imparting education, knowledge and information to visually-impaired persons.