Accra:Visually impaired individuals can now learn about endangered forest tree species in Malaysia through a new Braille and tactile book produced by the Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) and the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM).
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the book, titled "Sentuhan Rimba Mengenali Biji Benih Spesies Hutan yang Terancam di Malaysia," was developed as part of the Touch2Read project. It combines tactile illustrations and Braille to enable readers to explore the physical characteristics of seeds and the diversity of Malaysian forest species.
FRIM director-general Datuk Dr. Ismail Parlan emphasized that the initiative aims to make the country’s forest heritage accessible to everyone, including those who are visually impaired. He highlighted the importance of ensuring that visually impaired people can learn about forest plant diversity, including identifying seed structures through touch.
FRIM contributed to the project by providing actual seed samples, which the IIUM Touch2Read team used to develop the tactile illustrations. The book covers seven endangered forest tree species in Malaysia, offering information on seed characteristics, botanical details, and the uses of each tree.
Ismail expressed FRIM's willingness to continue collaborating on similar projects to benefit the visually impaired community. He suggested future initiatives like Touch2Read 3.0 or 4.0 to further contribute to this cause.
During the book launch, visually impaired IIUM students participated in activities at FRIM's Dipterocarp Arboretum, where they engaged in tactile and olfactory exploration to learn about plant characteristics. Farhan Azkalwafa Sufyan, a TESL student, noted that such activities help visually impaired people identify and learn about plants through touch and hearing.
Commemorative posters were presented to representatives of participating communities, agencies, and strategic partners, including KL Braille Resources Sdn Bhd, Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Pendidikan Khas Setapak, the Malaysian Association for the Blind, the National Library of Malaysia, and Bank Islam Malaysia Bhd.