SBM introduces online membership registration for the visually impaired

KOTA BHARU, June 19 (Bernama) -- In line with the current technological development, the Society of the Blind in Malaysia (SBM) has launched its online membership registration drive to ease the registration process for visually impaired people in the country.

SBM president Mohammed Nazari Othman said people with blindness or vision impairment can register their membership beginning today via the SBM website.

“With this online membership registration drive, we are targeting to receive 300 membership applications a year compared to only around 100 through manual registration. 

“Therefore, I hope more visually impaired individuals will register with us to enable them to enjoy the various benefits provided,” he said, adding that SBM so far has a membership of 7,490 people.

He said this to reporters after attending the the SBM’s Bi-Annual General Meeting 2022, here last night, which was officiated by State Welfare, Family and Women Development Committee chairman Datuk Mumtaz Md Nawi.

Mohammed Nazari said among the benefits of SBM members were welfare schemes, education programmes and employment opportunities.

On the requirements to become SBM members, he said applicants must be over 18 years old and holders of the OKU card in the visually impaired category.

Meanwhile, Mumtaz said the state government planned to contribute RM10,000 for the construction of the SBM office in Kelantan soon.

She also gave assurance that the state government would ensure that the welfare of persons with disablities (PwD) in Kelantan was always protected.

“I hope non-governmental organisations in the state, including SBM can help me in realising this aspiration, in line with existing government policies including the agenda to improve the PwD Act 2008,” se said.

-- BERNAMA