Fatima Muhammad

Saudi Gazette

JEDDAH — Visually impaired people in the Kingdom could be provided with food menus in Braille thanks to a recent initiative by a group of students.



After conducting a survey in Jeddah and questioning a number of visually impaired individuals, Ragad Galib and her classmates found out that only two restaurants offer menus in Braille.



Galib and her classmates decided to turn her college project into “something valuable for the society and specifically for people with disabilities,” she said.



This drove them to start their campaign, “I am like you”, which targets restaurants and coffee shops and urges them to provide for visually impaired individuals by adding Braille menus.



Galib said they have started contacting popular chain restaurants to encourage them to start providing such menus.



Their initiative has been welcomed by one breakfast food restaurant, but they are seeking more cooperation from other business owners.



Meanwhile, Ebsar Foundation for the visually impaired has started its summer program entitled “Building hope!”



The program, said the foundation’s secretary general Muhammad Balu, targets 40 children. The children will be involved in training sessions and tours around public places including airports and hospitals. The foundation is planning social and sport activities for children aged six to 12.



Balu said: “ Through this program we seek to turn these children into productive members of society and to enhance their self-esteem.”