KUALA LUMPUR, Dec. 23 -- 'Reading is the bridge to knowledge' is a familiar mantra in campaigns promoting a reading culture nationwide, underscoring the role of books as gateways to learning.

Yet, behind these well-meaning efforts lies a group long left behind - children with visual impairments who continue to face limited access to reading materials due to a chronic shortage of books in Braille.

The absence of such basic resources is not merely an issue of convenience, but a reflection of a growing Braille literacy crisis. Today, visually impaired children rely heavily on audio materials and smartphones, resulting in a steady decline in tactile reading skills - even though Braille remains the foundation of their education.

Without Bra...