FRIM, IIUM Braille book opens doors for visually impaired to explore endangered forest trees

KUALA LUMPUR: Visually impaired people can now learn about endangered forest tree species in Malaysia through a tactile and Braille book produced through a collaboration between the Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) and the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM).

Titled Sentuhan Rimba: Mengenali Biji Benih Spesies Hutan yang Terancam di Malaysia, the book was developed under the Touch2Read project, combining tactile illustrations and Braille to help readers explore the physical characteristics of seeds and discover the diversity of the country's forest species.

FRIM director-general Datuk Dr Ismail Parlan said the initiative reflected efforts to make the country's forest heritage accessible to everyone, including the visually impaired.

"It is important to ensure that visually impaired people are not excluded from opportunities to learn about forest plant diversity, including identifying seed structures through touch," he said at the book's launch here yesterday.

FRIM supported the project by supplying actual seed samples to the IIUM Touch2Read team as references for developing the tactile illustrations.

The book features seven endangered forest tree species in Malaysia, with information on seed characteristics, botanical details and the uses of each tree.

Ismail said FRIM was ready to continue collaborating with various parties on similar initiatives to benefit the visually impaired.

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"We are willing and ready to continue this collaboration, perhaps through Touch2Read 3.0 or 4.0, to ensure FRIM can continue contributing to the visually impaired community," he said.

At the launch, visually impaired IIUM students also explored FRIM's Dipterocarp Arboretum through activities involving touching and smelling plants to learn about their natural characteristics.

Farhan Azkalwafa Sufyan, 25, who is pursuing a degree in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL), said such activities helped visually impaired people identify and learn about plants through touch and hearing.

"We rely on our senses of hearing and touch. Touching tree trunks and leaves makes it easier for us to identify different types of trees in the forest," he said.

Commemorative posters were also presented to representatives of participating communities, agencies and strategic partners, including KL Braille Resources Sdn Bhd, Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Pendidikan Khas Setapak, the Malaysian Association for the Blind (MAB), the National Library of Malaysia and Bank Islam Malaysia Bhd. — BERNAMA