President Alvi Calls for Enhanced Book Accessibility for Visually Impaired in Pakistan
President Dr. Arif Alvi made a bold move toward inclusivity, advocating for greater access to books and knowledge among the visually impaired in Pakistan.
In a meeting at Aiwan-e-Sadr to assess the National Book Foundation’s performance, the president stressed the pivotal role of reading in personal and societal growth.
He specifically praised the Foundation’s initiative to provide books and knowledge in braille, hailing it as a significant step in closing the accessibility divide.
During the meeting, Dr. Raja Mazhar Hameed, the Managing Director, detailed the Foundation’s ongoing efforts, including plans for specialized books for dyslexic children from kindergarten to Grade 8, set to be available in the upcoming academic year (2024-25).
Additionally, the discussion highlighted the Karachi-based Braille Press run by the Foundation, offering books to the visually impaired at a highly subsidized rate of Rs. 10 per book. This affordability aims to notably expand educational opportunities for these children.
President Alvi expressed appreciation for the Foundation’s commitment to distribute braille books to visually impaired students in grades Prep to 8 across 431 schools in Islamabad. He also commended their broader efforts to publish diverse braille books, ensuring their availability both nationally and internationally.
President Alvi’s visit signifies a significant stride towards creating a more inclusive and literate Pakistan, where knowledge is easily accessible to everyone, irrespective of disability.