KUALA LUMPUR, March 10 ― Three-dimensional (3D) storybooks with embossed graphics that can be touched and felt will be the main attraction of the visually impaired children’s corner of the HT Ong Library at the Malaysia Association for the Blind (MAB) complex here.

MAB Service Division manager Jacqueline Sarlah Emmanuel said the corner, the first of its kind ever established in the capital, offered about 20 3D storybooks in various genres, including fairy tale and fantasy.

“We offer two types of 3D books, namely ordinary and sound loaded books that we acquired locally and abroad. The 3D books can help children with visual impairment learn to perceive something new through touching and listening to the 3D storybooks,” she told reporters at the launching of the children’s corner here today.

Fully sponsored by the Seremban Sentral Lions Club, the RM6,000 visually impaired children’s corner was officiated by Lions International district governor Datuk Dr L. Krishnan.

MAB acting administrator and secretary Mohd Safni Hussain said apart from the 3D storybooks, there were also other types of learning tools being provided at the corner to support education for children with visual impairment.

“We also have models of objects such as home appliances, animals and musical instruments as well as over 100 reading material in Bahasa Melayu and English,” he said adding that MAB had produced its own braille books for the corner.

He said besides the contribution of braille books received from abroad, MAB was also using an electronic software, sponsored by the CIMB Bank, to keep a database on reading materials and facilitate searching for materials.

The corner is open to children aged three to 12 from Monday to Friday (8.30am-5pm) and Saturday (8.30am to 1pm).

Commenting on efforts to safeguard the visually impaired people’s welfare, Mohd Safni said MAB focused on aspects related to education and entrepreneurship of the group to help them improve their lives.

Mohd Safni said MAB was constantly in touch with the Social Welfare Department to facilitate the monitoring process of visually impaired people registered with the department.

According to him, about 45,000 visually impaired people had registered with the Social Welfare Department, however he believed many have yet to register.

“We are constantly monitoring those with visual impairment out there who need help through our unit services and outreach programmes.

“We will also provide help in terms of job placement and those who want to start a business, we will assist them in getting the grant from the government,” he said. ― Bernama