The Malaysian Association for the Blind (MAB) and Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) in Tanjung Malim, Perak have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at empowering the visually impaired community through inclusive education and entrepreneurship. 

The event, held on May 8 at MAB's headquarters in Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur, also marked the official launch of Memperkasa Asas Berniaga (Empowering Business Fundamentals), the first-ever entrepreneurship guide book in Malaysia published in both Braille and e-book formats.

The 2006 (original hardcopy) book, co-authored by Wan Liz Osman Wan Omar and Sulzari Mohamed, has 15 chapters encompassing information on business support services and assistance, financing schemes, and business opportunities in the field of franchising that can be utilised by current and aspiring entrepreneurs.

"This collaboration advances comprehensive support for the visually impaired through training, entrepreneurship, and strategic partnerships, with the book serving as both a practical guide and a symbol of economic empowerment," said MAB president Tan Sri Tengku Azlan Sultan Abu Bakar after the MoU signing ceremony.

From left: Tengku Azlan, UPSI vice chancellor Professor Datuk Dr Md Amin Md Taff and Thomas during the memorandum of understanding ceremony.

The collaboration with UPSI is part of a broader initiative involving other universities, including Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah in Pekan; Universiti Utara Malaysia in Sintok, Kedah; Universiti Teknologi Malaysia in Skudai, Johor; Universiti Malaysia Sabah in Kota Kinabalu; and Universiti Malaysia Sarawak in Kuching.

Since its founding in 1951, MAB has offered a wide range of services including vocational training, rehabilitation, job placement, low vision services, Braille printing, and an audio library - benefitting over 3,000 visually impaired individuals annually.

According to the Social Welfare Department, there are over 64,000 visually impaired individuals in Malaysia, highlighting the urgent need for initiatives such as this.

MAB chief executive officer Datuk George Thomas said empowering the blind to become entrepreneurs is not just about providing income opportunities - it is about restoring dignity and promoting independence.

It is important to build entrepreneurial skills among the blind to empower them with independence. Photo: 123rf

"With the employment rate for persons with disabilities (PWD) falling below 0.5% – far short of the 1% target – it is clear that traditional job market solutions are not enough.

"We must now prioritise inclusive wealth creation strategies to ensure that PWDs, especially blind individuals who fall far below in open employment, can enjoy the same quality of life and economic dignity as everyone else."

Through the collaboration with universities, Thomas hopes to not only strengthen local support systems but also involve university students as active volunteers - nurturing empathy, civic responsibility, and deeper connections between academia and the community.

"We hope this MoU will open the door to broader, more sustainable partnerships - ones that empower the visually impaired and move us closer to a more inclusive and equitable Malaysia."