Written by: Siti Khatijah Zamhari & Farah Zaini
A meaningful initiative was successfully carried out by the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) in collaboration with the Sarawak Society for the Blind (SSB), with the launching of the Visually Impaired Awareness Day 2025 on 23rd August 2025 at the Galeri Pustaka Negeri Sarawak.
This program aims to raise public awareness about the challenges and potential of visually impaired youth in Sarawak. It also supports the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 10: Reducing inequalities by creating opportunities for the general public to understand the challenges faced by person with disabilities (PWD), reduce social stigma and advocate for equal opportunities in education, employment and social life.
The event was officiated by The Honourable Datuk Hajah Rosey Haji Yunus, Deputy Minister for Women and Children Development of Sarawak. In her speech, she emphasized the importance of empowering PWDs, especially visually impaired youth, to enable them to be independent and contribute meaningfully to national development.
Also present was Datuk Dr Abang Haji Abdul Rauf Abang Haji Zen, Chairman of the Sarawak State Library, who has been a key supporter of the program. He described the initiative as a vital platform for bridging the gap between the general public and the PWD community. Program Director, Dr Farah Zaini highlighted that this program served as a powerful reminder that inclusivity is not just a slogan but a practice that requires patience, collaboration and trust in supporting the visually impaired community.
Through a variety of planned activities, visitors were given the opportunity to experience firsthand what it is like to be a person with visual impairment. Activities such as white cane simulations and sensory explorations involving smell and taste were used to demonstrate the strength and independence of visually impaired individuals in their daily lives.
A key highlight of the event was the introduction of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology to support the daily lives of the visually impaired. These innovations offer new hope to the visually impaired community in achieving greater independence and demonstrate that technology is not merely a convenience, but a powerful driver of social transformation.
With continuous support from the government, academic institutions, NGOs and the general public, the aspiration to establish an inclusive and equitable society is not impossible to achieve. This program is not merely an event but a manifestation of solidarity and hope, affirming that every individual, regardless of disability, possesses the potential and the right to lead a meaningful and productive life. Overall, the Visually Impaired Awareness Day 2025 successfully opened the public’s eyes to the reality of the visually impaired community. More importantly, it demonstrated that with the right approach, this community is fully capable of living independently, achieving success and contributing actively to the social and economic development of Sarawak.
FSSH – A Partner for Social Change