Latest news with #Braille
Gulf Insider
3 days ago
- Business
- Gulf Insider
Lift Access And Braille Buttons Approved For Taller Buildings
A proposal to require wheelchair-accessible lifts and Braille-labelled buttons in buildings taller than three storeys was approved by the Capital Trustees Board during its yesterday's session. The changes would apply to both public and private buildings. They are intended to make access easier for people with physical or visual impairments, particularly in towers where stairs are not a practical option. Each affected building would need at least one lift wide enough for a wheelchair, with its controls marked in Braille. Daily movement Capital Trustees Board member Dr Bashar Ahmadi, who submitted the proposal, said it aimed to make daily movement safer and more practical for people with disabilities, including visitors to government buildings. During the meeting, board member Mubarak Al Nuaimi said the technical committee recommended limiting the requirement to buildings above five storeys. He added that new buildings should only receive a power connection once they meet the minimum accessibility criteria. Rules Mohammed Al Sahli, Director-General of the Capital Trustees Board, said public buildings such as ministries and state agencies have followed such rules for a decade. Retrofitting older structures remains a challenge, he noted. For private developments, much depends on the commercial priorities of the developer. The proposal will now be shared with the relevant planning bodies. Also read: Runaway Domestic Workers And Illegal Employer Arrested In Labour Law Violation Crackdown
Daily Tribune
4 days ago
- Business
- Daily Tribune
Lift access and Braille buttons approved for taller buildings
A proposal to require wheelchair-accessible lifts and Braille-labelled buttons in buildings taller than three storeys was approved by the Capital Trustees Board during its yesterday's session. The changes would apply to both public and private buildings. They are intended to make access easier for people with physical or visual impairments, particularly in towers where stairs are not a practical option. Each affected building would need at least one lift wide enough for a wheelchair, with its controls marked in Braille. Daily movement Capital Trustees Board member Dr Bashar Ahmadi, who submitted the proposal, said it aimed to make daily movement safer and more practical for people with disabilities, including visitors to government buildings. During the meeting, board member Mubarak Al Nuaimi said the technical committee recommended limiting the requirement to buildings above five storeys. He added that new buildings should only receive a power connection once they meet the minimum accessibility criteria. Rules Mohammed Al Sahli, Director-General of the Capital Trustees Board, said public buildings such as ministries and state agencies have followed such rules for a decade. Retrofitting older structures remains a challenge, he noted. For private developments, much depends on the commercial priorities of the developer. The proposal will now be shared with the relevant planning bodies.
New Indian Express
4 days ago
- General
- New Indian Express
Visually-impaired woman appointed as Oodhuvar of Tamil Nadu's Thiruvanmiyur temple
CHENNAI: In a first for the state, a visually impaired woman has been appointed as an Oodhuvar in a temple under the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) department. SS Priyavathana (24) from Chennai received her appointment order from Chief Minister MK Stalin on Tuesday and was posted at the Pamban Swamigal temple in Thiruvanmiyur. With this, she becomes the 12th woman and the first visually impaired person to be appointed as Oodhuvar – devotional singers who recite Tamil hymns in temples. Since the DMK government assumed office, 35 Oodhuvars have been appointed, including 11 women. Born preterm, Priyavathana was diagnosed with visual impairment five months after birth. With her parents' support, she pursued a BA in Vocal Music from the Tamil Nadu Government Music College, completed diplomas in music teaching and in Isai Kalaimani, and later trained at the Archaka Training Institute. She now performs daily temple duties accompanied by one of her parents. Speaking to TNIE, her mother Subashini Sureshkumar, who has been her constant companion and first teacher, said, 'She would sit close to the TV speaker and hum along. We noticed her interest early and enrolled her in music classes.' Since Priyavathana does not read Braille, Subashini first memorised the songs and then taught them to her daughter. Over time, Priyavathana mastered various Tamil devotional hymns and has performed in temples and venues such as Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan. 'She also sings bhajans in Telugu, Hindi, and Marathi, and plays the violin. Her day is filled with music practice for three to four hours,' said Subashini, adding that she continues to support her daughter in every step.
New Straits Times
5 days ago
- General
- New Straits Times
Librarians association, UTM launch Braille and audio versions of 'Baca'
KUALA LUMPUR: The Librarians Association of Malaysia, in collaboration with Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) library, today launched Braille and audio versions of the book 'Baca' (Read) to provide reading access to visually impaired individuals. Selangor Women's Welfare and Charity Organisation (Pekawanis) president Datin Seri Masdiana Muhammad said the Braille version of 'Baca' not only introduces new reading material but also reflects a growing awareness that reading is everyone's right. "This initiative is seen as a crucial step in ensuring that every individual, including children with special needs, is not left out of activities that cultivate a culture of learning and reading. "I hope this effort will go beyond just providing Braille and audio books, but also include the creation of a friendly learning environment, well-trained teachers, and innovative assistive technology," said Masdiana, who is also the wife of Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari. She was speaking during the launch of the Braille and audio versions of 'Baca' in conjunction with the 2025 Kuala Lumpur International Book Fair (PBAKL) at World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur (WTCKL) today. Also present was association president Dr Ghazali Mohamed Fadzil. A total of nine writers, comprising PPM members and professionals, including Hasnita Ibrahim, Digital Library Information manager at the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) were involved in writing the book. Meanwhile, Ghazali said 'Baca' is part of the transliteration campaign "Baca Celik Hati" project led by UTM library since 2000. The book compiles inspiring stories, experiences, and the spirit that forms the backbone of the librarian profession, encompassing the history of libraries in Malaysia, as well as topics such as the benefits of reading, family library management, bibliotherapy, and compulsive issues related to books. He said in 2023, through the "One Character, A Million Practices Project" (Projek Satu Aksara Sejuta Amalan) and in strategic collaboration between UTM library and PPM, 'Baca' was successfully transliterated into Braille and audio formats as part of the effort to bridge the information access gap and promote an inclusive literacy culture within the community. "This initiative is not merely a publication in different formats, it is a manifestation of the librarians' commitment to inclusive literacy, in line with the principle of 'No One Left Behind'," he said. He said the Braille copies will be distributed to selected special education schools across the country as a starting point for the long-term mission. – Bernama
Barnama
5 days ago
- General
- Barnama
PPM, UTM Launch Braille And Audio Versions Of ‘Baca' For The Blind
GENERAL KUALA LUMPUR, May 28 (Bernama) -- The Librarians Association of Malaysia (PPM), in collaboration with Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) library, today launched Braille and audio versions of the book 'Baca' (Read) to provide reading access to visually impaired individuals. Selangor Women's Welfare and Charity Organisation (Pekawanis) president Datin Seri Masdiana Muhammad said the Braille version of 'Baca' not only introduces new reading material but also reflects a growing awareness that reading is everyone's right. 'This initiative is seen as a crucial step in ensuring that every individual, including children with special needs, is not left out of activities that cultivate a culture of learning and reading. 'I hope this effort will go beyond just providing Braille and audio books, but also include the creation of a friendly learning environment, well-trained teachers, and innovative assistive technology,' said Masdiana, who is also the wife of Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari. She was speaking during the launch of the Braille and audio versions of 'Baca' in conjunction with the 2025 Kuala Lumpur International Book Fair (PBAKL) at World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur (WTCKL) today. The event was also attended by PPM president Dr Ghazali Mohamed Fadzil. A total of nine writers, comprising PPM members and professionals, including Hasnita Ibrahim, Digital Library Information manager at the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) were involved in writing the book. Meanwhile, Ghazali said 'Baca' is part of the transliteration campaign 'Baca Celik Hati' project led by UTM library since 2000. The book compiles inspiring stories, experiences, and the spirit that forms the backbone of the librarian profession, encompassing the history of libraries in Malaysia, as well as topics such as the benefits of reading, family library management, bibliotherapy, and compulsive issues related to books.
