
The Department of Social Welfare (Jabatan Kebajikan Masyarakat) reports that there are over 55,000 registered blind and vision-impaired individuals in Malaysia, and there may be many more who are not officially registered. We often think that this number represents those who are born with these conditions. There are still an alarming number of individuals who acquired blindness or vision impairment later in their lives. According to the 2014 National Eye Survey, the main cause of limited vision in Malaysia was untreated cataracts and myopia.
Recognising the pivotal role smartphones play in our daily lives, regardless of our visual abilities, we urge you to explore iPhone's built-in Accessibility features which are designed to cater to a diverse range of needs. iPhone provides many accessibility features and settings to support your vision, mobility, hearing, speech, and cognitive needs. These features make your iPhone easier to use, whether you need them temporarily or on an ongoing basis.



Collaborating with Apple, we designed a series of workshop sessions specifically focused on the Vision features of the iPhone. Our goal was to empower the blind community by teaching them how to fully utilise their devices, opening up new avenues for communication, education, and daily functionality. These workshops provided hands-on experience, allowing participants to learn skills that are crucial for their independence and integration into the digital world. We firmly believe that everyone deserves equal access to information and opportunities, and this initiative is a testament to that belief.
The programme commenced in May 2024, aligning with Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) at the Switch store in Sunway Pyramid, Kuala Lumpur. This strategic timing underscored our commitment to global standards and awareness in accessibility. The collaboration with the Malaysian Association for the Blind (MAB) was instrumental in reaching out to the blind and vision impaired community. Through this partnership, we garnered significant attention and participation, reflecting the community's keen interest in leveraging technology for their benefit.
Looking ahead, we are committed to continuing this programme and expanding its reach to different locations across the country. We aim to refine and enhance the programme based on the feedback we receive, ensuring that they remain relevant and beneficial to the community. Our mission is to create a more inclusive society where technology serves as an enabler for all, and we are dedicated to making this vision a reality.