NAB and WIPO Collaborate to Make Textbooks Accessible for Visually Impaired in Abia

Nigerian Association of the Blind partners with the World Intellectual Property Organisation to convert textbooks into accessible formats for the visually impaired in Abia, emphasizing collaboration and accessibility.

Feb 19, 2024 - 17:14 Updated: Feb 20, 2024 - 12:24

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The Nigerian Association of the Blind (NAB), in collaboration with the World Intellectual Property Organisation, is set to revolutionize educational accessibility for visually impaired individuals in Abia State. This initiative was highlighted during a recent courtesy visit to the Special Assistant to Governor Alex Otti on Disability Matters, David Anyaele, in Umuahia.

NAB President, Stanley Onyebuchi, underscored the importance of making textbooks accessible to print-disabled persons, emphasizing that only textbooks approved by the state Ministry of Education would undergo conversion into accessible formats. Additionally, Onyebuchi pledged to provide assisting devices to enable students to access converted materials effectively.

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During the meeting, Onyebuchi took the opportunity to appeal to the State Government for support in establishing a braille press center and providing mobility aids for NAB members. Isaac Williams, the state Chairman of NAB, echoed this sentiment, stressing the critical need for such resources, particularly for blind civil servants who currently lack access to essential government publications.

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In response, David Anyaele commended NAB for its dedication to improving educational opportunities for the visually impaired in Abia State. He assured the group of the government's commitment to providing necessary support for the project, including presenting the group's requests to Governor Alex Otti.

Anyaele also emphasized Governor Otti's deliberate efforts to include persons with disabilities in governance, citing the allocation of a robust disability-inclusion budget—the first of its kind in the state's 32-year history. This collaboration between NAB, the World Intellectual Property Organisation, and the State Government signifies a significant step toward fostering inclusivity and empowerment for the visually impaired community in Abia.