Association Launches Mini Braille Press for the Blind

As part of an effort for the social integration of its members, the Lagos State chapter of the Nigeria Association of the Blind has unveiled a mini braille press to facilitate increased production of braille textbooks.

At the launch of the association’s headquarters in the Yaba area of Lagos, the group’s Chairman, Lukman Salami, stated the braille press will serve visually impaired people in Lagos as there are only two functional braille presses in the state.

“Before this time, the major outlets producing braille textbooks for blind students in Lagos were the Anglo-Nigerian Welfare Association for the Blind (ANWAB) and Nigerwives. They were serving the entire nation, not just Lagos state.

“Since they have more than enough in their hands, gaps are being created as a result.”

According to the chairman, having a braille press for their members in primary and secondary schools will solve the problem of having to depend on classmates to read to them.

He emphasised: “With this, a student who needs a textbook can place an order and we produce for them. We can also produce and give to schools where the visually impaired are enrolled.”

A doctoral student of the School of Global Studies, University of Sussex, UK, Michael Fadeyi, raised the funds from his friends.

He noted: “This is just a token; we need more: a scanner, braille papers, uninterrupted power supply, and training opportunities to empower our women.”