Doha, January 04 (QNA) - Al Noor Center for the Blind, a member of the Qatar Social Work Foundation, celebrated World Braille Day, which falls on Jan. 4 every year, and emphasized the pivotal role that Braille plays in the lives of people with visual impairments, as it is one of the basic pillars of knowledge, independence, and effective community participation.

This year’s celebration by the center comes within the framework of its goal of consolidating the concepts of accessibility and inclusion and promoting community awareness of Braille as a language of life and not just a means of reading and writing. The celebration also highlighted the Center’s ongoing efforts to develop educational and rehabilitation Braille services, and to keep pace with the latest assistive technologies that contribute to improving the quality of life of its members.

The celebration includes a series of interactive and awareness-raising activities targeting various segments of society. The center is organizing a Braille mural event in the M7 square in the Msheireb area from Jan. 7-8, allowing visitors to experience writing the word 'thank you' and their names in Braille via a dedicated screen in a direct sensory experience that enhances visitors' understanding of the nature and importance of this method. The mural is accompanied by expressions of solidarity that convey appreciation and support for people with visual impairments, contributing to building a positive community awareness based on interaction and participation.

Based on the center’s belief in the pivotal role of the family in supporting the educational and rehabilitation process, Al Noor Center is organizing an awareness workshop for parents on Monday, Jan. 12, at the center’s headquarters. The workshop aims to introduce parents to Braille and its importance in their children’s academic and daily lives, and to involve them in a practical experience using different Braille tools, which contributes to enhancing the family’s understanding of their children’s needs, and raising the level of family support for reading skills and independence among the blind.

The first edition of the Katara Cultural Village Facilities Guide in Braille will also be launched, in cooperation with the Katara Cultural Village Foundation. The guide includes facility maps, appropriate routes, and accessibility guidelines, enabling visually impaired people to visit Katara facilities independently and safely, and reflects the role of Al Noor Center as a consultant and specialized reference in the field of accessibility and adaptation.

On this occasion, Executive Director of Al Noor Center for the Blind Mishaal Abdullah Al Nuaimi affirmed that celebrating World Braille Day represents an important annual milestone to renew the commitment to the rights of visually impaired persons and to promote their access to knowledge and information through fair and accessible means. He noted that Braille forms the basis for real empowerment, as it opens up horizons of education, work, and independence for the blind.

Al Nuaimi explained that the center is keen to continuously develop Braille services by combining traditional education with modern technologies, implementing adapted tools that meet the needs of members of different ages and abilities, in addition to involving the family and the community in this system. 

He noted that the slogan "Braille… from touch to empowerment" reflects the Center's philosophy of transforming knowledge into daily practice that enhances confidence and self-reliance. He emphasized that the Center will continue to adopt high-quality initiatives that contribute to raising community awareness, promoting a culture of inclusion, and building effective partnerships with various entities, in line with the State of Qatar's approach to supporting and empowering persons with disabilities. (QNA)