In Thiruvananthapuram, the Kerala Federation of the Blind (KFB) is making strides in accessibility for the visually impaired community. Within their office, two advanced printing presses produce Malayalam Braille calendars, vital tools for everyday organization. A hefty roll of high-quality paper is fed into the press, which transforms it into embossed sheets of Braille in a matter of seconds. The calendars are provided free of charge to visually impaired individuals across Kerala, enhancing the community’s access to essential resources.
“Calendars are essential to everyone,” states Habeeb C, president of KFB. “Even with digital options, physical calendars remain important for daily use.”
Braille, a tactile writing system invented by Louis Braille in France in 1824, utilizes raised dots to convey letters, numbers, and symbols. The United Nations celebrates World Braille Day on January 4 to honor his legacy.
“Braille empowers the visually challenged just as literacy empowers the sighted,” explains Habeeb. “That is why we opted to create something as fundamental as a calendar.” KFB has been advocating for the visually impaired since its founding in 1967, currently supporting nearly 4,000 members through training programs and policy advocacy. The organization has also been instrumental in printing Braille textbooks for schools across Kerala since the 1980s.
Thanks to assistance from the National Institute for the Empowerment of Persons with Visual Disabilities and the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, KFB’s press is well-equipped to serve the needs of the community. Notably, during the recent 2024 general elections, the press produced over 100,000 Braille ballot papers for voters.
In 2023, KFB launched its Braille calendar project, which attracted significant interest, with around 700 calendars distributed last year to individuals and educational institutions. Abdul Hakeem, the general secretary of KFB and a lifelong member of the visually impaired community, reflects on the progress made. “When I was in school, we lacked proper resources and had to rely on makeshift methods for learning,” he recalls.
Habeeb emphasizes the importance of assistive technology, stating, “Such advancements have enabled us to gain greater independence.” The incorporation of screen readers and character recognition software has transformed how visually impaired individuals navigate the world, even expanding access to social media.
Despite these strides, vice president Krishnan M highlights ongoing accessibility issues in public infrastructure, citing the need for tactile and auditory aids. “True accessibility encompasses more than just Braille; it must involve thoughtful design for everyone,” he asserts.
Habeeb concludes, “Disability should not be viewed solely as a limitation but rather as a challenge posed by societal structures.”
Calendars are available for free to those interested; requests can be made by contacting KFB with necessary identification details.
Published – January 04, 2025 08:44 am IST
