Malaysian Association for The Blind

The Malaysian Association for the Blind (MAB) is the premier voluntary organization in Malaysia serving visually impaired persons. It provides services that help the blind and prevent the tragedy of avoidable blindness.

Established in 1951 by the then Department of Social Welfare to look after the general well-being of blind persons in the country, MAB has since carried out this role and much more. Its activities have extended from Kuala Lumpur to other parts of the country. These include educational programmes, rehabilitation courses, vocational training and placement service. In addition, MAB also runs a Braille library, a "talking" book library, a Braille Publishing Unit, an Information Technology Centre, Resource Centre and a Sale and Production Unit to name a few. Its prevention of blindness programmes are realized through the eye hospital which MAB established in 1986.

In recent years, MAB has reached out to the visually impaired folks in the rural areas where rehabilitation services and training programmes are provided to them within their home environment, through its community-based rehabilitation (CBR) schemes.

All the services including the training school are provided to the visually impaired and blind community for free of charge. The courses in three training schools are accredited by Malaysian Certificate of Excellence by Ministry of Education.

The Malaysian Association for the Blind always works towards creating greater public awareness concerning the abilities and capabilities of the visually impaired persons under its charge. This is to ensure their better integration into the society and a better quality of life.

In order to accommodate the changing needs, demands and challenges of the modern world, MAB strives constantly to improve and expand its services for the betterment of visually impaired people by introducing new courses and acquiring new equipment. MAB has been depending heavily on public donation to support and empower this vulnerable community. MAB’s mission is to empower persons with visual impairment by providing them with services & opportunities for greater participation, involvement and integration into society as well as to promote prevention of blindness. Objectives of MAB:

• To help visually impaired persons to overcome their visual problems.

• To prepare them for a vocation, secure gainful employment and enable them to be independent.

• To upgrade their quality of life and provide opportunities for full integration.

• To help prevent blindness.

• To inform and create public awareness regarding the needs and capabilities of persons with visual impairment.