The Center for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has called for greater inclusivity for the blind and visually impaired in public libraries across Nigeria.
This advocacy was made to mark the 2025 World Braille Day, celebrated on Saturday, January 4.
In a statement signed by Hamza Aminu Fagge, CITAD’s Coordinator for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), the center outlined its achievement by establishing the digital skills training hub for the blind and visually impaired in 2024. It also pledged to enhance support by providing more digital devices and Braille production tools at its offices in Abuja and Bauchi.
“This initiative will enable CITAD to produce more Braille copies of our publications, particularly in the field of information technology, thereby fostering a stronger reading culture among the blind and visually impaired in Nigeria,” the statement read.
CITAD further noted the scarcity of Braille publications, especially in the area of information technology, and the high cost of Braille production tools, which many visually impaired students cannot afford.
“To address this challenge, we plan to acquire more advanced machines, which will allow us to produce a larger quantity of Braille books. These resources will primarily benefit blind students in tertiary institutions,” the statement added.