PNM Strengthens Inclusive Literacy, Offers 188 Braille, Audiobook Titles

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 15 (Bernama) -- The National Library continues to expand access to knowledge for persons with visual disabilities by providing 85 Braille reading titles and 103 audiobook titles to date, its director-general Edy Irwan Zulkafli said.

He added that the initiative reflects the institution’s commitment to ensuring that everyone has access to knowledge and information, regardless of ability, and also supports  the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 4 on quality education and Goal 10 on reducing inequalities.

“At the National Library, we do not merely provide books; we build bridges to broaden the horizons of the mind without boundaries,” he said in his speech at the close of the 2026 One Day with Persons with Disabilities Programme here today.

He said the National Library, as an authorised entity under the Marrakesh Treaty, was committed to expanding the availability of reading materials in accessible formats to help persons with visual disabilities obtain information and enjoy educational opportunities.

The annual programme, held in conjunction with World White Cane Day on Oct 15, marked the culmination of several activities conducted since last August, including the Story Behind the Reading competition, the Narrative Video competition, the MADANI Young Inclusive Voices Poetry Recitation competition and the MADANI Generation Inclusive Voices Syair Recital competition.

Other activities included an Inclusive Chat podcast session featuring Masitah Mohd Afandy, an assistive technology exhibition, a National Library Voice Donation Volunteer booth and reflexology therapy services provided by the visually disabled community.

Meanwhile, the winner of the Story Behind the Reading narrative video competition, Mohd Uwais Mohd Hazril Munir @ Umar, 20, said his three-minute video conveyed the message that individuals with learning difficulties need support from society and should not have to face challenges alone.

The University of Malaya Faculty of Law student, who has dyslexia, said he did not expect to win as he had submitted his entry at the last minute.

He said the main challenges were completing the script within a short period and ensuring that the video's message was easy to understand, including for viewers from different categories of persons with disabilities.

“I hope the video I produced can convey the message that people with learning difficulties should not have to navigate their challenges alone and need a supportive community,” he said.

Mohd Uwais hoped Malaysians would continue to support the community of persons with disabilities, including by helping to ease their daily activities and assisting individuals who face reading difficulties.

-- BERNAMA